Hey all this is my attempt to write someone elses concept. Its been a challenge and fun. I think this will be something like 3 chapters. The main story concept comes from "Life's better in my Mind" some twerks from me. Belle is hers, I did the back story and half demon bit, main story idea is hers. So this has 2 authors. Enjoy and R&R. And "Life's better in my Mind" I hope this is a good start.

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At 80 years old, one gains many experiences under ones belt. In the time between his graduation from the academy and the advent of that god-forsaken-war Conrad had traveled the length and breathe of the globe. He genuinely liked people, and as a young man he had desired to travel, to follow in his father's footsteps, to see the world. In his travels Conrad had many adventures, he had met, fought and saved a variety of people. No good deed goes unpunished and fate has a way of surprising us.

It was a quiet week at Covenant Castle, Yuri was involved greatly in his studies and kingly duties. The days were cool as an Autumn breeze was moving in. Gwendal had announced that there were guests night for dinner. A minor lord of one of the outlaying provinces had sent a representative to request support and negotiate trade with the Great Demon Kingdom. Every courtesy was being given to the dignitary because their lands on the boarder was a haven for half-breeds of humans and demons. That the dignitary happened to be the daughter of the Lord was for the moment immaterial.

Conrad walking just behind Yuri, entered the great dining hall. He had been on patrol that day and so this was his first encounter with the guests.

They all stood to welcome the guests. The group of 5 entered the hall. The lead figure was an extremely dignified young woman, her shoulder length hair was that of a fawn, a mix of pleasing browns, red and gold shades, framed a delicate and strong face. "Wow she's even more gorgeous now then she was earlier" thought Yuri "Welcome Lady Jon-Adan, we are most honored that you are gracing us for dinner.", Yuri said with the eloquence Gunter had spend half a day drilling into him. Yuri lifted a delicate hand, executed a courtly bow, and kissed the back of her hand with all the charm that was Yuri. Totally ignoring his so-called self proclaimed fiancé's reaction, Yuri sought to make his guests welcome. Yuri had learned that the less said about the spoiled brat Lord the better.

What happened next though caused Yuri's jaw to drop.

The lady smiled politely at Yuri, made proper greetings, and immediately went to stand before Yuri silent godfather.

"Well..." the Lady said, her eye fluttering- slightly flirtatiously "Lord Conrad – have you nothing to say to me?

"Errr... Pardon my Lady, is there something you require?" Conrad asked, with a bewildered look.

"Hahaha.. poor Conrad, do you no remember me? Maybe this will help." The Lady took out a small wood-carving of the dragon kingdom symbol, and held it out in front of Conrad.

"Belle.." Conrad gasped. "Belle is that you" Conrad blinked his eyes appraising the graceful beauty in-front of him. "W-w-what happened to the pigtail braids.. you.. you.. grew up. You're beautiful its amazing." Conrad said rather clumsily.

Gwendal winced and rubbed the bridge of his nose at his brother's lack of tact.

Belle laughed, and surprised Conrad with a quick hug. " Its so good to see you again, Lord Conrad. Its been 42 years so we now finally meet as equals." she pouted charmingly "You only visited that one time, we, my father and I, and hoped to see you again."

"My apologies my Lady," Conrad said remembering his manners, "But things happened, and the war.., I had duties and responsibilities that prohibited my traveling for pleasure."

"Lord Conrad, please call me Belle, after all when I was 7 you carried me around on your shoulders. And I am glad that you consider visiting us a pleasure."

Looking at the confused faces around him, Conrad decided that a quick explanation was in order. "Some 42 years ago, I was traveling the land and came across a small slice of paradise on our far boarders. It was the Adan province, here demons and humans inter-mingled in peace, Lady Belle's father is a demon, her mother was a human." Conrad's face took on a look of nostalgia, he remembered himself as a young man traveling in a world full of prejudice. To his young self Adan had indeed seemed like paradise, a living area that symbolized his fight to carve respect as a half breed in a cold prejudiced world. To his young idealistic self, Adan has seemed perfect and the people there had gained a special place in his heart.

"I spent a month in Adan" Conrad continued, "It was a real relaxing time for me, Lady Belle was only seven years old and I was a guest of her parents for that month."

"Lord Conrad is too modest," Belle said "I was a handful when I was young, and one day I got separated from my carers and ended up wondering in the jungle. I fell of a steep cliff. Conrad found me clinging to a steep ledge, he climb down and saved me." Belle's face went pink. "He was my hero".

Conrad laughed a little embarrassed. Gunter saved him from further explanations as he ushered them to their seats and ordered the first course to be served.

Dinner proceeded with Lady Belle reminiscing on Conrad's trip to Adan, and Conrad rather bashfully trying to minimize the exaggerated stories or just laughing in defense, he was definitely enjoying the memory of simpler times.

Yuri began to have mixed feelings about Lady Belle Jon-Adan.

-- End Chap 1 --