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Sixteen years has passed since that infamous night that the spoiled prince's life was tragically cut short. Only a small number people knew what really happened that night. The rest of the castle's occupants were told that an unknown perpetrator ambushed the young prince. The prince fought bravely to protect the castle but lost his life in the end. At least that was the story feed to the masses and even to Greta. She was never told the truth for obvious reasons. Everyone tried the best they could to move on after the prince's death, but the castle would never be the same.

The people closest to the prince dealt with his death differently. Conrad took it upon himself to look after Yuuri in place of his little brother. If you thought Conrad took his duty as the Maou's protector seriously before, its nothing compare to the first couple months after Wolfram's death. Conrad stuck to Yuuri like bees to honey. Everywhere Yuuri went, Conrad followed. Yuuri for a short time had to leave for Earth to get away from Conrad's mothering. Conrad wasn't dumb; he knew what he was doing.

Yuuri was an emotional wreck after the shock wore off. He rightfully blamed himself for what happen. Conrad has seen it all happen before. A kind hearted young man unable to push through his grief and pain for taking a life, would ultimately self-destruct. He didn't want to see that happen to Yuuri. Conrad honestly believed that his brother would not want that to happen to Yuuri as well. So he followed the boy king everywhere he went. Conrad was relieved that Yuuri decided to go back to Earth for a little while so the boy could get away from the memories and grief.

Conrad never imagined that Wolfram would be the first to leave them behind. The brown hair soldier always had it in his mind that he was the first to leave their side, but fate had something else in mind. Conrad could only speculate on what happen on that night between his king and younger brother. Repeated attempts to get the truth out of Yuuri had failed miserably. Truth be told, he blamed Yuuri for the death of the boy. But what could he do about it. Yuuri as the Maou found in befitting enough to punish Wolfram for whatever it was he did. As a soldier he could stand by his king's decision. Conrad continued to look after the king the best he could while maintaining his smile that hide his pain of losing his little brother and watch idly by while the light in his king slowly diminished with each passing day.

Gwendal was not as forgiving as Conrad. Gwendal loved Wolfram more than he will ever let on. The blond prince was innocent compared to Gwendal or Conrad. Even though Wolfram was alive when the war happened, he never experienced it like they did. Wolfram was shielded from the painful and gruesome nature of war. The boy was kept away from anything that could take the child like qualities away from him. Even when Wolfram decided to become a soldier, Gwendal made sure that Conrad, Yozak, Gunter, or himself always handled the most dangerous tasks. Gwendal always protected Wolfram from the shadows making sure that his brother never got himself seriously hurt. The young prince was never pushed by anyone to grow up faster than he needed to and forever protected by his big brothers.

But that night, Gwendal failed to protect him.

The stoic man didn't blame his king for not loving his little brother, but he couldn't in his rightful mind forgive Yuuri for Wolfram's death. Yuuri became a rift in Gwendal and Conrad's relationship. Gwendal couldn't understand why Conrad could forgive Yuuri so easily. Conrad tried to explain to his brother that he was doing this for Wolfram, but once the stoic man made up his mind; it will take nothing short of miracle to change it. But the eldest son never acted on his hate and anguish. Gwendal being the consummate soldier that he is saw to the protection of his country and king, but all personal relationship ended that night when Wolfram died. No words of any personal nature slip passed the stoic man's lips. All conversation revolved around affairs of Shin Makoku. Since that night, Gwendal has refused to attend any of the king's birthday celebration or any other intimate gatherings

Cheri had a hard time coping with her youngest son's death as well. In the beginning Cheri lashed out at Yuuri for killing her baby boy. Cheri wanted the person responsible to pay with his life. But Yuuri was far too important to the kingdom. Cheri settled on snide comments that would cut deep into Yuuri's heart. Seeing Yuuri filled with remorse help lessen some of the pain that she felt. The verbal was at it's worse, when suddenly every thing changed.

Cheri was on her way to visit her son's resting place only to see Yuuri lying down next to the gravestone sobbing uncontrollably. It wasn't seeing the king's fragile condition that broke her heart; it was what she heard. Yuuri between his sobs reprimanded himself for what he has done. That was when Cheri realized, no matter how much Cheri or Gwendal hated Yuuri for what he done, Yuuri hated himself even more. The guilt was eating him alive. That is when Cheri realized that time can heal all wounds except for Yuuri's.

Taking his daily trek up to the all too familiar hilltop, Yuuri couldn't help but reprimand himself once more. Standing in front of the gravestone, Yuuri lifted his fingers and glided them ever so slowly over the chiseled writing. Wolfram von Bielefeld. Yuuri closed his eyes and took a deep breath to help calm himself. He lowered himself next to the gravestone and tilted his head so it could rest on the edge of the it.

"Hi Wolfram, tomorrow would be 16 years since that day. I'm sorry Wolfram for hurting you. I won't ask for you forgiveness, I deserve none of it. What I did was unforgivable. I just hope when it is my time, you will be there so I can apologize to you properly. I'm scared Wolfram, I never thought that I would ever forget your face, but lately I wake up and I have a hard time remembering what you look like. I never want to forget you. I'm afraid that one-day I might actually forget. I don't want that to happen."

Wiping the tears that escaped his eyes, Yuuri composed himself to continue.

"Did you know that our little daughter is getting married in month? I believe you will approve of him. You meet him before, Alford Markina. He's been in Shin Makoku for less than half a year now. After much persuading from Conrad, he decided to stay in Shin Makoku. Due to his talents, Alford has been assigned as the commander of your former troops. I would have told you sooner, but I just found out myself that Alford and Greta had fallen in love. They keep their relationship under wrap from everyone. Even the maids were shocked by the news. Those two are truly in love. I'm glad she is happy, but I don't think I want to let her go just yet. I know, I am a wimp. I can't even let my little girl go without a complaining. This is quite sad you know."

"Father." "Heika."

Yuuri looked up to see his beautiful girl arm in arm with his future son in law. Yuuri stood up only to be almost knocked down by Greta, who flung herself at her father. Alford couldn't' help but think those two resemble siblings more than father and daughter.

Even though Yuuri is 32 years old, he didn't look much older than 21 years old. His Highness, Murata Ken has his theory. Since Yuuri is spending a majority of his time in Shin Makoku, being half Mazoku, Yuuri body is aging accordingly. For some reason the aging process in earth is different, human, half Mazoku, full Mazoku age at the same rate. But in Shin Makoku, half Mazoku ages about 1 year to every 3 human years. A full blood Mazoku ages 1 year to every 6 human years. So with 16 years passing, Yuuri body only aged about 5 years. Greta being 24 looks older than Yuuri in some ways.

"I knew you would be here, you always are. I thought it was about time to have Alford pay his respect to Papa."

"I think Wolfram would like that."

"Alford come here."

Both Greta and Alford knelt down on the grass in front of the gravestone.

"Papa, I would like you to meet my fiancé Alford Markina. We will we wed in a month. He is a wonderful man Papa. I found my happiness with him. He is the one for me father. He will treat me well."

"Your Excellency, I have been blessed to be able to capture the heart of your daughter. I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderful person in my life. As long I am alive, I will protect and love her with everything that I am. She is in good hands, your Excellency."

Yuuri face broke into a small smile hearing the words of devotion coming from the two. He only wished that Wolfram were with them to share in the happy affair.

The three has long left the gravesite when Murata and Ulrike stood before the gravestone.

"How is he Ulrike?"

"He's doing fine. Should we be doing this?"

The great sage did not answer only looking intently at the gravestone.

A/N

I didn't want to put this here, but let me just remind the reviewers; I would like only CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. It doesn't matter if it is good or bad. Attack or praise the WORK and NOT the PERSON (ME) who is writing this. If you are unable to us TACT, don't bother to review.

Now, I am done with my ranting. I apologize if you are put off by my rant.

Another thing I need to apologize is to the readers. I intended to post all the remaining chapters at once, but I got into serious writers block and I will be out of town for Christmas. Needless to say, I will try to finish the story as quickly as possibly. I just need to work out a couple of issues. Sorry.