In cold and gloomy Quincies' castle time went very slowly and all the days there were no different from each other. But that day appeared to be very special.
A small group of Quincy-soldiers gathered in a throne room. The Emperor called them there to make an important announcement. Quincies were talking to each other, discussing the reason why the Emperor assembled them today. But then they heard steps and immediately stopped their conversation.
Juha Bach entered the room. Soldiers lined up and concentrated their attention at their leader. The Emperor walked near them and took his place on the throne. After that he looked at his subordinates and finally talked to them.
"I don't like monotonous speeches, so let's move straight to business. You were called here because your potential allowed you to stand out among the other soldiers. You were able to attract my attention and should be proud of yourselves."-the Emperor said.-"I promote all of you to the rank of Stern Ritter. And I expect that your power and abilities will serve to our goals in the future."
"Such a honor.."-thought one of the soldiers the young blond-haired Quincy Haschwald.
He trained hard all the time and put all his effort into it. He was rather talented and strong but he didn't expect to become a Stern Ritter in such a short time. It was a real surprise to him. He was so happy and felt very euphoric but still was able to control his emotions and kept calm while the Emperor was talking.
Quincy leader watched at his soldiers and assigned a letter of the alphabet to each of them according to the special abilities of every new-promoted Stern Ritter.
During this event the glances of the Emperor and the blond Quincy accidentally met. It lasted only a few seconds but soldier got an unusual and strange feeling. The Emperor was already looking in the other direction but Haschwald's heart was still pounding pretty fast.
Later that day at the evening the blond Quincy was in his room. He was looking in the mirror at himself. His new uniform of Stern Ritter was fitting him perfectly. But his thoughts were away from this fact at the moment.
"What was that today? His Majesty's look was so deep.."-blond Quincy thought, trying to understand what exactly he managed to see in the Emperor's eyes during that short moment.-"There were so many mixed feelings. I wonder about what His Majesty thinks. What are his real feelings?"
Some time has passed since the day when Haschwald became Stern Ritter. All this time while performing his duties he did his best to equal the Emperor's hopes. So one day he was called to the throne room again.
When young Stern Ritter entered the room, the Emperor was already waiting for him there. Blond Quincy felt somewhat uneasy because he left alone with the Emperor in this room. Besides he didn't know the reason why he was called here.
The Emperor suddenly rose from his throne and went to the blond Quincy.
"So, you are that gifted newbie Stern Ritter about whom I heard so much."-Juha Bach said, walking around his soldier and watching him very closely.
Suddenly the young man felt that someone touched his hair ends. Probably the Emperor accidentally touched it while walking nearby.
"You have very beautiful hair."-Juha Bach remarked.
"Your Majesty..?"- Haschwald was really surprised and didn't know what to answer. He suddenly felt embarrassment and blushed a bit.
"Is something wrong? I complimented you just to shift your attention to something else. I thought it would make you feel more freely in my hearing. You shouldn't be scared of me only because I am the Emperor. After all, I am the same Quincy as you."-Juha Bach said seriously.
"Yes, I understand. Forgive me my incivility, Your Majesty."- Haschwald said and started to behave more confidently.
"That's much better."-the Emperor smiled.-"Actually, I called you here for the important talk. You know, Haschwald, I noticed your potential long ago, before you became a Stern Ritter. You have many good qualities and seem to be able to take a big responsibility. So I decided to make you the leader among all of my Stern Ritters and other subordinates. You are still young but I am sure that you will be able to handle it."
After these words Emperor looked straight at the blond Quincy.
"It's a great honor. You can count on me, Your Majesty."- Haschwald said and bowed politely. The Emperor's decision was really unexpected for him. He also wasn't completely sure that he is capable to be the Stern Ritters leader, but the Emperor's words encouraged him. So Haschwald decided to do his best, because His Majesty was believing in him and his skills.
"Excellent. Being a leader among my soldiers also means that you will become my right-hand man. I hope that I can rely on you and trust you as I trust myself."-the Emperor said.
The news about Haschwald's promotion spreaded around the castle in no time. When he went along the corridors, other Quincies watched him closely.
"Why such guy like him must be our leader?!"-Driscoll said with displeased voice.-"To me he is more like a kid!"
"Don't be an idiot. He is more talented than you think. Besides His Majesty would have never chosen just anyone randomly without a good reason."-As Nodt said with her hissing voice, which often gave creeps to the other Quincies.
Some amount of time has passed since Haschwald became Emperor's right-hand man. As was expected he was doing well in the performing of his new duties. He was spending many time near the Emperor, and with each new day young Quincy began to understand His Majesty better and better.
One evening Haschwald was in his room and thought about all the events which happened so far. As a result he started to think about the Emperor again.
"Once he was a benevolent man, who always tried to cheer up and support his comrades. But the war against Shinigamis turned him into such person like he now is."-the young Stern Ritter remembered the words of the oldest Quincy, who once told the others about the events of remote past.
"His Majesty bears a very heavy burden. It seems he forgot all the feelings. He thinks only about the revenge to Soul Society."-the blond Quincy thought.-"This is so sad."
He rose from his bed, went to the mirror and looked at himself. He saw a reflection of a confident young man instead of a green newbie Stern Ritter, whom he was before.
"I think I understand His Majesty's feelings better now. He needs someone, who can support him all the time. I should become closer to him. So that he always will be able to rely on me in any situation. I will help him to achieve our lofty goals. And, who knows, maybe I will even be able to awake his forgotten feelings, which he sealed away long ago.."-Haschwald said to himself in his thoughts.-"I will always be near you, Your Majesty.."