Her Gentle Smile
It was rare he broke down like this. For the first time in years his anger overwhelmed him. The rogues had caught him off guard and he killed – every single one of them.
His horse knew the way, all he could see was darkness before. The rogues voices piercing into his mind again and again.
"Gwendal!" he heard a concerned voice. His mind refocused, he looked to find himself near the Castle steps.
There she was, dressed only in her nightgown and robe, running down the stairs with her bare feet. By right he should push her away but as he felt the warmth of her hand slowly going through the thread of cold and bloody uniform, he found no strength to do so.
Her question made him feel more vulnerable. "What happened to you?"
This was among the times when he wished he was still young enough to cry. He hated that worried look in the Queen's black eyes.
"Come on," she murmured, gently tugging his arm as Dorcascus led his horse away, "We'll freeze out here..." She then led him to one of the smaller Infirmary Rooms meant for first aid.
"Sit," she ordered – not harshly. Like a wayward puppy, Gwendal obeyed. He removed his overcoat while Yuri rummaged through the cupboards while avoiding looking at him; she knew he hated her to see the damage before everything is needed. Putting two bowls before her, Yuri used a small amount of Maryoku to fill on with warm water and the other with cold.
She looked towards her stern advisor to see how much damage had been done to him. The white shirt he had on only spotted a few tears and slight sprays of blood. No injury was visible.
"It's not my blood," he murmured apologetically, his voice hoarse. Yuri simply nodded and wiped the blood-that-was-not-his away from his hands and his face with a warm washcloth. Indicating she did not need to know... not now...
The look of love in her eyes... not one of a lover as she often gave to Wolfram but very similar to those she often gave to Conrad and Shoma Shibuya... her love as a daughter...
Gwendal wondered briefly if this was what it was like to have a daughter. Yuri was a constant reminder of what he and his brothers were before they took up cold steel swords. He often had to look out for her when neither Conrad nor Wolfram was around.
And chase her around when it came to paperwork.
"Hold still," she murmured, returning his mind back to the present.
A titling sound of bells was heard then. Healing maryoku washed over him, ridding him of the blankness, the sorrow and the low self worth he felt earlier. "You're not a monster, Gwen," her soft voice filled his mind in comfort.
He looked up to her assuring smile... the same smile Greta gives Wolfram whenever she senses regret in his heart. He smiled hesitantly back... If she were to be Wolfram's wife one day, there will definitely be no regrets. He would have no regrets of seeing her as a daughter – or at least a sister.
Because by then she would be able to continually do what loving daughters and sisters do best...
Save their fathers and brothers from their darkest thoughts and hours...
Loving them unconditionally...
Be the Queen of their daily chess match...
Yuri was simply that. Every time she gave him a gentle smile.
His Queen...
His daughter... His sister...
His saviour...