Disclaimer: Kyou Kara Maou © Tomo Takabayashi
He sat up from his desk, finished signing half the pile of responsibilities that was supposed to be the Maou's work. But being the carefree person His Majesty was, he had to. Not to mention young and born from another world, thus held captive for the most of the day under Gunter's lessons. Thinking it was okay to leave the remaining papers to be signed by His Majesty - he had all the reasons in the world to do so - he headed to his quarters to prepare for the duel; apparently, a known and skilled swordsman from a recently held alliance party challenged him. He wouldn't have accepted for nothing. Let's just say that win or lose there was something in it for him... and he rather not be getting into that topic. Even so, there seems to be a part of his that feels quite nonchalant...
His train of thoughts was disrupted as he passed by the study where there'd usually be the rather too indulged voice of Gunter, contrasting the much woeful sighs and complaints by His Majesty. Instead, the reason why he even noticed this, he hears the sound of something lively, albeit stopping and continuing as if crooked. A little curious, he looks at the gap at the large door, wide enough for him to behold a very much interesting sight. He watches Gunter play the trumpet, pressing the valve pistons and whatnot, making funny sounds. Almost immediately, Gunter stopped and Gwendal realized the advisor of the Maou noticed him when no sounds were produced after the pause. Before he can excuse himself, Gunter happily smiled and approached him.
"What brings you here?"
Gwendal looked at the trumpet with a questioning look, and Gunter decided to clear this up for him.
"Ah, this? I was teaching His Majesty about music in Shin Makoku, and His Majesty told me that the trumpet suits me quite well. Oh, Gwendal, weren't you going to have a duel later? I learned from His Majesty that the trumpet can inspire and charge you up. I know, I'll play a piece for you!"
He chuckled to himself, amused at the fact that said advisor isn't a music virtuoso, making a few mistakes and going off-tone every now and then - he never expected him to, but with Gunter's surprisingly extensive knowledge and capabilities, you never really know what to expect. Even so, he agrees with His Majesty that the trumpet fits the enticing man too well. It is as enthusiastic as Gunter had always been, more so ever since the arrival of the 27th Maou. As Gunter was finished, he remembers that he has things to do.
"How was it, Gwendal? Does it make you feel better?"
"I'll be preparing myself now."
He allows a satisfied, grateful smile cross his features, as he mutters a quite inaudible "Thank you, Gunter" but loud enough for the man to hear. At the same time, he turns around, not bothering to look back for Gunter's reaction, and rushes to his original destination. It wouldn't hurt to be a little bit more ardent even just for today, now would it?
A/N: This is my very first fanfic ever written into human-readable form - because the rest are in my mind, left unfinished. You might not even consider it a fanfic, more like a vignette or a short story. My deepest apologies for unworthiness. Prompt: trumpet. Word count: 525.