Summary: A deadly sickness has struck the kingdom and the only known cure lies at the hands of a foreign family. But what will be their bargaining price? Yuri must become the King that he was always meant to be, and Wolfram; a stranger to all. Difficult decisions and grave sacrifices must be made if the Demon Kingdom is to survive.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Moah or any of it's characters. I am not doing this for money, nor am I making any.

A/N 1: + future warnings: light cursing, very angsty, highlights of humour, mild horror and goriness (nothing too scary), depression, unhealthy coping mechanisms, friendship, hurt and family love.

A/N 2: Mainly Wolfram-centric. OOC and angsty Wolfram.

A/N 2: Yuri is 20 at the moment

A/N 3: Greta is 14 at the moment, about to turn 15. I don't know when Greta's birthday is so I just made one up: March 18th.

A/N 4: Slightly poetic sometimes, sorry I couldn't help myself =D

A/N 5: A few years have passed since the anime, Wolfram has matured slightly but is still a brat sometimes, at the beginning at least. This will definitely change later on.

A/N 6: Important, or you'll likely get confused: Characters thoughts are in italics


Chapter 4: A Difficult Discussion

Gwendal breathed lightly against the window, it was still cold enough that his breath clouded the glass for a moment, but the fog eventually dissipated; fading out from the corner to the center, once more exposing the clear scenery outside. It was early evening, the sun had painted everything in pleasant yellow tones, the King and his entourage had just returned from the Butterfly Chase.

Gwendal felt slightly annoyed, he had expected them back sooner.

Conrad and the rest of the men were on the ground whilst Yuuri and Greta sat on their still horses. Gwendal was too far away to make out individual expressions, but he could tell Yuuri was beaming and Greta was laughing wildly.

In fact she was laughing so hard that Conrad had to come around and steady her horse, which only succeeded in making Yuuri double over in a fit. Wolfram who had been riding further back galloped forward just in time to grab the young King by his collar and keep him from falling off as Ao bucked up in response to his master's excitement. Whatever his youngest brother had said to the King seemed to sober him up.

The stern man lowered his eyes from the scene, and sighed heavily.

He gracefully sat down at his desk and picked up his quill pen and ran his thumb over the base of the feather. Gwendal fought against the overwhelming urge to stress knit. It was mere hours ago that he sat at the very same spot and looked over Yozak's written report with their infuriatingly enigmatic resident Sage.

Gwendal recalled snippets of their earlier conversation, and with each memory he felt like he had swallowed a brick. The Sage's words floated in his head.

"I have good reason to believe that this is Widow's Cry."

"The far off human lands."

"Thousands died."

"Perilous."

"No cure"

A knock on the door sent vibrations through the room, he felt as though his train of thoughts had been physically knocked off and derailed. Gwendal quickly composed himself and said in n authoritative voice "Come in."

Dacascos entered and saluted. "Sir the King has returned."

Gwendal nodded. "Tell the servants to prepare them dinner and inform the King I will see him afterwards."

"Yes Sir!" Dacascos's eyeballs fell on the quill pen in Gwendal's hand and he blushed suddenly.

Gwendal raised an eyebrow at the sudden colour on the other Dacascos's face, but deciding he was in no mood for Dacascos's weird shenanigans, Gwendal dismissed him promptly.

"I will take my leave Sir!" The bald man unnecessarily informed in his squeaky voice as he left the room.

Gwendal sighed again, and not for the first time in that day he thought; I am not looking forward to this meeting.


Dinner had been a brief but lively affair, with Greta informing Lady Cäcilie on every detail of their trip. Yuuri found her moods to be rather tiresome, one minute she was gushing over Greta's description of the head guard Aldrick; next she was mewling over Wolfram's little accident.

Wolfram hated being the center of attention in this case, in hopes of diverting everyone's fussing he suddenly asked "Where is everyone?" By everyone he was referring to the absent Voltairian ruler and the passionately-devoted-to-the-king Günter von Christ.

"Come to think of it…you're right." Yuuri said slowly.

"I believe Gwendal already ate." Anissina informed, "He said something along the lines of needing to prepare for a meeting."

"Oh yeah, the meeting." Yuuri said absentmindedly, but before the King had a chance to inquire about the nature of their gathering, Anissina started again.

"I wanted Günter to help me out with an experiment, but he just disappeared." She said sounding perplexed. Everyone else at the table instantly clocked that Günter was probably hiding somewhere.

"No matter, I will simply catch him later!" The inventor stated with renewed enthusiasm.

Poor Günter. Yuuri laughed nervously.

Over desert Lady Cäcilie suddenly made a surprise announcement.

"You're leaving?!"Greta wailed.

"Only for a little while dear." She assured the distressed princess. "I promise to be back in time for your birthday."

Greta pouted nonetheless.

"Stop that darling!" Lady Cäcilie said as she reached across the table to cup the girl's cheeks. "You'll get wrinkles around your mouth, and you are much too young for that." She chided. "No boy will want you then."

"I think Greta is far too young to be thinking about boys." The King said abruptly.

"Why papa you were engaged to Wolfram when you were 15." She whined.

"That was an accident!" Yuuri laughed nervously and Wolfram stuffed more caramel and butter cake into his mouth, pretending to be oblivious to the conversation at hand.

"Is there anyone in particular you like Greta?" Anissina asked in a calm voice before plopping the flesh of a lychee like fruit in her mouth.

Greta blushed and vehemently shook her head. "No, there isn't anyone."

"Exactly, of course there isn't!" The King proudly proclaimed.

Lady Cäcilie chuckled watching her granddaughter and king.

"So where will you be going mother?" Conrad asked.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out precious." She giggled at her son in a suggestive way, to which Conrad only smiled widely and toothlessly.

Yuuri desperate to change the topic of conversation but unsure of what else to say, quickly said in what he hoped was a nonchalant voice; "Well I guess we'll see you later." He put down his desert spoon, thus ending the dinner session rather prematurely.

Yuuri stood up and everyone else followed suit.

"I'm sure you will your Majesty." Lady Cäcilie said pleasantly, she offered the king a small curtsy. "Now I need to go and decide on what to pack and you shouldn't keep Gwendal waiting." Then she added in a more pained voice. "I can't bear the thought of my baby getting another wrinkle."

She missed the hurt look in Wolfram's eyes as she exited the dining hall.


With the exception of the former queen, the five headed straight to the large office which already contained Ken Murata, Günter von Christ and Gwendal von Voltaire.

Yuuri entered first. Something is not right here.

The lack of outburst from Günter when he entered the room was the first giveaway, Yuuri had expected at least some moaning from his teacher for missing lessons and not taking him along to the Butterfly Chase.

Wolfram looked at his brother's face meaningfully, Gwendal noticing his youngest brother's stare deliberately ignored him.

Yuuri stood a little stiffer as he made his way towards the front of the large wooden table, noting how drastically different the mood was in here compared to what it was moments earlier.

"So Gwendal, what's this meeting about?" He tried casually.

Gwendal briefly eyed the brown haired teenage girl before he spoke. "This meeting will be an informative discussion of a serious situation that has arisen in the East of this Kingdom."

"What serious situation?"

He motioned to the chair at the front of the long brown wooden table. "Please take a seat Your Majesty."

Greta followed Yuuri with light steps, noting the stern expression on the grey haired Commander's face as he watched her intently, just as she passed the said man he cleared his throat deeply.

"Is something wrong Gwendal?" She asked.

"I wish to ask that you may leave."

"What? Why?" This was not what she was expecting to hear, he had never asked her to leave a meeting before.

"This is a matter of official business." He observed her thoughtfully. "And no place for a child."

"I'm no child!" Greta said quickly, and as if to justify her point she added; "I'm going to be fifteen in a few weeks!" At least come up with a better reason than that if you want me to leave Gwendal.

"Err, she can stay. I don't mind." Said Yuuri, not wanting to get off to a bad start.

Greta shot her adoptive father a grateful smile.

"This will not be a meeting appropriate for a child."

"I am not a child." She said more calmly this time, she looked at her father with a pleading expression whilst everyone else looked at the slightly irate Commander apprehensively.

Wolfram felt the need to say something to defend his daughter against Gwendal, but was unsure of how to proceed. It's not like Gwendal to ask Greta to leave, maybe something terrible has happened that he doesn't want her to know about.

Yuuri tried to nullify the man, not wanting to start an unnecessary debate. "Gwendal I was fifteen when I was crowned King, and Greta being my daughter is a Princess of this Kingdom as well, she should be just as aware of what is going on as the rest of us are."

Gwendal wanted to disagree with his King, he could think of plenty of things that he never wanted Greta to know, but instead he simply looked at the girl disappointingly while she stood there with her arms crossed.

Aside from looking a little hurt, she did not back down.

"Greta, please sit down." Said Yuuri, motioning to the seat beside Wolfram.

The girl sat down heavily, not bothering to hide the fact she was sulking.

Once everyone was seated, Gwendal started. "There is no point in dragging this on, so I will get straight to the point." He looked directly at his brown haired brother. "Conrart, are you aware of a trainee in your regiment by the name of Jaecar Karlyn?"

"Yes, he's one of my new recruits." If Conrad was surprised at suddenly being called out he didn't show it, nonetheless he asked, "But what does he have to do with this meeting? Has something happened to him?" Conrad tried to recall when he had last seen the young man.

"He has a grandfather who is a librarian, he lives at a fishing village called Jade Peak in the far east. Through this librarian, we have been made aware of an old disease by the name of Widow's Cry."

"Widow's Cry?" Wolfram asked. "I've never heard of it." Gwendal ignored him again.

"This disease has never before made an appearance in the Great Demon Kingdom, only heard of in far off human lands where it raged many thousands of years ago." The Sage clarified. "It is my understanding that when this disease last emerged, it killed people in the hundreds of thousands."

Yuuri looked wide eyed. "That's terrible." His mouth suddenly felt dry as he put two and two together. "The serious situation in the east, are you saying it's this disease?" He demanded from Murata but it was Gwendal that spoke.

"In the midst of late winter, a middle-aged man died from what seemed to be the flu, but the librarian recognized that he had one of the symptoms of Widow's Cry."

Gwendal's eyes roamed across the faces seated at the table, his eyes finally settling on the face of His Eminence. "The old man had briefly mentioned this in a letter to his grandson Jaecar Karlyn."

How His Eminence came to know of the contents of that letter is still a mystery. He narrowed his eyes at The Great Sage who stared back with a vacant expression.

"At the request of His Eminence." Gwendal spat out, irritation dripping in his words. "Yozak sent out three spies and two healers to investigate just over two weeks ago, Yozak delivered their report to me yesterday."

He looked directly at his King who looked back at him seriously. "We believe that Widow's Cry has already killed six people and fifteen more have been reported as having become infected as well."

"What, that many have died already?! Why wasn't I informed?" Yuuri jumped up, suddenly his full attention on the Voltairian ruler.

"Calm down Shibuya, this is fresh news to us all, it was not meant to be kept from you, we simply weren't sure if this was a real threat or not." Murata pushed up his glasses so the browns of his eyes were much clearer to see. "We didn't want to get you worried over nothing."

"Worried over nothing, this isn't exactly nothing now is it?!" Yuuri gave him a frustrated glare. "I am the King. Aren't I?!" This time he looked meaningfully at Gwendal. "It doesn't matter that you didn't want to trouble me, I should have been informed the minute you heard about this disease."

"Rumours of horrendous monsters and deadly diseases appear all the time. It made sense to go investigate first." Murata added.

"That's not my point." The other black haired man protested.

"Shibuya, you don't have time to be offended, this is important. Listen."

Don't treat me as though I'm a child here Murata. Yuuri shot him an annoyed look but said nothing.

"This disease, how does one know if one has the disease?" Günter asked.

"Apparently it starts off with flu like symptoms, it is a degenerative illness; death may result from a number of causes." Gwendal proceeded to list some of the less than desirable symptoms Yozak had mentioned to him yesterday, the King became increasingly troubled with each new symptom he bought to light.

He glanced at Greta's face and wished he had tried harder to get her to leave the room.

"So what's the cure for it?" Yuuri asked quickly.

"There is no cure." The Great Sage supplied.

"What do you mean no cure?"

What I mean Shibuya is that it is thus far an incurable disease. Murata sighed silently. "Healing maryoku has proven to be ineffective at remedying the illness. We do however know of a tried and tested way to test for infection using a suspect's blood and chemically treated paper."

Gwendal dared looking in Anissina's direction. "I have prepared a comprehensive report for you regarding the testing method for this disease."

He handed her a blue card folder. "I was hoping perhaps you and Gisela could look into this, possibly even create a device of some sort that would make identifying this disease easier." I hope I won't come to regret asking this of you. Gwendal mentally added.

Before Anissina could say anything, Yuuri spoke again. "Wait, the people that you sent, errr… I mean Yozak sent, what if they have become infected, what are they going to do?"

"They have thus far not become infected". Gwendal assured.

Yuuri looked as though he wanted to say more, but Murata started swiftly, not wanting to become distracted. "We believe that the disease is spread through contact with body fluids, the spies and healers are aware of this and are taking caution." The man pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. "The chief of Jade Peak would have informed his people, and their nearest neighbouring village must also know this by now." He stated.

"Body fluids?" Yuuri repeated uselessly.

"Yes; mucus, semen, saliva and so on." Murata added looking at his friend blankly. "However, in spite of the extreme measures that are undertaken, if by chance one of them or all were to become inflicted; they will be burnt."

"What do you mean by they will be burnt?" Greta asked timidly.

"It seems the only sure way to prevent the diseases' proliferation from the dead." Gwendal clarified, thoughts were weighing heavily on his mind. He wanted to lean his elbows on the table, but he refrained from doing so, conscious of the company he was in.

"They will be burnt alive." The Sage clarified seeing von Bielefeldt didn't seem satisfied with his eldest brother's lack of direct response. "The goal being to dehydrate the deceased bodies till there is no liquid left."

From where he was sitting at the front, Yuri paled.

"Well they don't necessarily have to be alive, just so long all as all that's left of the sufferer is their ashes." He added, noting his friend's expression.

"That's barbaric." Greta said, visibly upset.

"It's containment and prevention." Murata added in an unsympathetic tone.

But what we don't know for sure is how effective this really is. The Sage thought internally. Cremating doesn't necessarily mean the threat of disease from the deceased body is over, until I know more about the nature of…

Yuuri's voice suddenly snapped the spectacled boy from his worrisome pondering.

"Surely there must be another way." Yuuri insisted. "You can't expect our own men to start killing their friends like that just because they've become infected! We haven't even tried to find a cure for this thing yet!" He exploded at the Sage.

His anger renewed, the young Demon King couldn't hide his fury at not being informed that his subjects had been sent to carry out such a dangerous task.

Yuuri looked uncharacteristically angry, gone were the charming boyish features, he now resembled the Moau in his 'justice form'. "Have you already started burning people without telling me as well?!" He directed his words at the Voltairian ruler.

"Shibuya, you're being ridiculous."

"Am I?!" He snapped his head back violently to look at the Sage once more.

Murata raised an eyebrow at his friend in way that effectively said yes.

"Yuuri, you are being ridiculous." Wolfram said hotly.

"What was that?!" Yuuri spat back in an equally irate voice.

Wolfram openly glared at the other man through narrowed eyes, "You should not insult their pride, they are your subjects, and they have taken a great responsibility upon themselves in your name." He huffed his breath rudely to convey his vexation. "For this kingdom."

"And I asked them to do no such thing! I should be informed before anyone leaves for a potentially deadly mission. There could have been another way." He insisted as he looked around those seated at the table in annoyance, his accusatory glare lingering on Murata and Gwendal. "Does being King count for anything around here?"

"What other way do you propose Shibuya?" Murata asked in perfectly calm voice, his face holding an all knowing expression. Your caring nature is one of your best qualities Shibuya, but right now you're just being immature.

"I have been told that they gave their informed consent before they left." Said Gwendal, annoyed at the fruitless turn the discussion had taken on.

Yuuri looked at the acting Head of State with an atypically distasteful expression, then focused his eyes on Murata solely. "I don't know how you came to know of it, but if you thought something was exceptionally wrong when that villager died, you should have told me before you requested anyone go check it out."

"I did not wish to chance you suggesting something so stupid as volunteering to go to Jade Peak yourself."

"Stupid?!" Yuuri shot up from his seat while slamming his palms down on the table, Greta jumped up in shock at the violent action, while Günter pathetically mumbled "Your Majesty."

"Yes, Shibuya." Murata said to his friend in an even tone, seemingly not at all affected by the young King's sudden animate behaviour. "Not only stupid, but selfish."

Yuuri opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Murata spoke again "You are the King. Start acting like it." It was for your own good Shibuya.

Yuuri glared, How can I, if my subjects, my friends won't tell me what's going on! As vexed as he was at that moment, Yuuri knew whatever he said to his friend wasn't going to change the current situation at hand.

Gwendal cleared his throat noisily.

The young King sighed heavily stared into his lap feeling too annoyed to feel embarrassed at his outburst. I hate it when things are done behind my back.

Yuuri fought to keep a hurt look off his face in favour of looking angry. Calm down, you're losing your cool too quickly.

From where he was standing, the King glanced down to his right to find the soothing figure that was his godfather bearing back at him patiently. The man nodded at his godson reassuringly.

Yuuri then looked over at Wolfram on his left, the blonde sat rigidly, his lips drawn into a tight line. I wonder if he is in pain? He suddenly thought, reminded of the other's earlier fall. I should have insisted more thoroughly that Gisela have a look at him. Instantly Yuuri felt deflated and sat down thickly. But it's not as though he would have listened.

In a much firmer voice Yuuri continued. "Gwendal, these people, the people that were sent out," He clarified. "When they return I want to personally see that they are rewarded."

"As you wish Your Majesty." He said simply. Though there really are more urgent things you ought to be worried over. He mentally thought.

Günter looked on affectionately at his King before respectfully turning his attention to the other black haired man in the room. "Your Eminence, you mentioned that it is a disease of the human lands."

"That's right Lord von Christ."

"Isn't there someone in the human lands beyond that we can ask? Perhaps one of our allies?" Yuuri asked.

"Not that we know of." Gwendal finally gave in and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table, feeling some of the tension let up, but he tried not to hunch forward too much.

"I believe the last outbreak was in a northern human country called Sithelanar well over five thousand years ago." Murata supplied.

"And we have no connections in places that far away…" Conrad added, deep in thought.

"Is there an outbreak there now then?" Anissina asked, speaking for the first time since the procession of the meeting.

"Not that I am aware off." Gwendal said gruffly.

"I've sent letters to Mr Hyscliff and Lady Flynn." Murata pointedly ignored Gwendal who was currently drilling a hole into the side of his skull. "Hopefully we'll hear from them in about a week."

The Voltairian ruler narrowed his eyes at the Great Sage. When had he sent those letters?

Murata paid the man no heed, he carried on. "In fact, strangely the only known outbreak is in Jade Peak Village which leads me to wonder how this disease got here in the first place."

"Do you think perhaps it was deliberately introduced?"Günter asked shocked at the thought.

"I don't know how Widow's Cry found its way to the Demon Kingdom Lord von Christ, I'm afraid at the moment all we have is guesswork in regards to its introduction here."

"Of course Your Eminence." He replied quickly.

"The first man to perish, he should be investigated thoroughly." Anissina said bringing a hand up to her chin, "There might be some clue there."

"Possibly, but it's my understanding that his house was searched, his past actions over the month leading up to his death looked into thoroughly." Murata glanced at the Chief Commander briefly as if looking for confirmation of his statement.

Gwendal nodded grimly, thinking back to Yozak's written report that he handed in that morning. "Along with the other six that have perished, all were investigated."

"The man seemed to have done nothing out of the ordinary, not bought anything unusual from an oversees merchant, gone to work and all the other places he usually frequents as per usual according to his sister." Murata pushed his glasses up. "Nothing out the ordinary, just one day after finishing his shift at the shipyard where he worked as an engineer he came home and when he woke up the following morning, he was feverish and well…you know the rest."

"Perhaps he came into contact with some pathogen at the shipyard?" Günter supplied.

"But why only him?" Anissina asked, "If he worked as an engineer there must have been others working with him, did they-?

"No." Gwendal said answering her question before she even had the chance to ask. "No one else from his place of work is reported to have fallen ill."

Murata scanned his eyes over the table taking in everyone's expressions. They all ranged from concerned to annoyed to expressively blank. "Interestingly, the people who are suspected of having Widow's Cry have been isolated to one area of the village. The fact that infection seems to be happening in the same area can be put down to the fact that the disease is thought to spread through contact with body fluids."

Gwendal followed up on the Sage's words, "But it doesn't explain why several others who have come into contact with the afflicted, including persons such as the local healers and the sister of the first man to fall victim have not contracted the disease."

"Widow's cry is exclusive in whom she infects." von Christ stated more than asked with a slightly surprised look upon his countenance.

"Or maybe it is selective in who it expresses its malignity." Anissina offered.

"You mean to suggest it somehow lies dormant in someone?" Günter asked the red haired woman directly.

"Maybe if we could find out why those people have not become infected, it could lead us in the direction of a cure or at least a means by which to effectively prevent it." Conrad said, speaking for the first time after a while.

"Some sort of natural antibody perhaps!" Anissina seemed to get excited at the prospect. "If I could get a sample of blood from an infected person, find a way to inactivate the pathogen…isolate and purify the protein, we could potentially have a vaccination at hand." She practically beamed.

Yuuri looked relieved, and Gwendal's wrinkles seemed to lessen somewhat.

"Perhaps…" Murata conceded, not quite willing to jump on the merry boat just yet. Anissina looked at him harshly.

It's nothing personal. Murata thought but offered a conciliatory smile instead. I get the feeling this isn't your typical disease, The Widow's Cry…Halting his current train of thoughts, Murata continued, "Whilst it is the most likely culprit, your theory is based on the fact that Widow's Cry is caused by a living organism or a virus of some sort…"

The inventor didn't look entirely convinced.

"A few decades ago on Earth, a material called asbestos which was made from microscopic mineral fibers was used widely in homes." Murata started.

Yuuri looked at his friend, wondering why he was bringing up this seemingly irrelevant topic.

Murata continued. "It was used in flooring, drywall fireproofing and in insulation to name a few. However what was not immediately known at the time was that these fibres could be breathed in causing extensive damage to the lungs overtime, leading to a disease now coined asbestosis."

"I do not see how this ties in with Widow's Cry." Wolfram interjected.

Murata sighed. "My point is we need to keep an open mind about Widow's Cry and not rule out anything until it has been thoroughly investigated or we could risk missing something important. With asbestosis, when people developed respiratory ailments, it was blamed on asthma, bacterial infections and all sorts of other pathogenic-borne diseases."

Anissina nodded, understanding the point the Sage was trying to make. "Well anything is a possibility, given how little we know at the moment." She felt a little miffed as well as embarrassed for acting as though she had it all figured out.

"Well let's say for a moment that this disease is caused by a pathogen," started Günter, "The first man to fall victim could have come into contact with it years ago, and only fallen ill following the influence of some sort of external stimulus that caused the species causing Widow's Cry to become active again."

Yuuri looked at the lilac haired man helplessly.

Günter too looked troubled, realizing if what he said were true; it just made the situation look a lot more dire. "Since however the man is now dead, we will not-"

"We keep calling this deceased person 'the man'! He does have a name doesn't he?" Greta interjected suddenly, a scowl gracing her face. It's disrespectful. She thought sourly.

The Great Sage looked mildly surprised at the girl's intrusiveness, whereas Yuuri managed a small affectionate smile.

Gwendal cleared his voice awkwardly, "Yes, I believe Yozak mentioned in his report, the name of the first victim was Eike Torben."

Greta stared down at her lap sadly in a way that made Gwendal suddenly feel guilty. This disease just became a little more real.

"You mentioned that he had a sister." Greta looked at Gwendal and it took all his years of training to keep from openly wincing.

"Yes, that's right."

"Will she be okay?"

"She will be." Yuuri said with certainty.

No one at the table seemed to quite believe him and Wolfram placed his arm around the girl comfortingly, only to have it shrugged it off.

"Sorry." She said, realizing her action.

"It's okay Greta." Wolfram smiled at her, hurt but not angry that his daughter rejected his offer of comfort. More than that, I don't want you to go away and be upset on your own. Wolfram was suddenly reminded of the all too obvious fact that Greta was growing up, he couldn't readily cuddle her anymore. The thought made him feel depressed all over again.

Wolfram pretended not to notice Yuuri's concerned gaze aimed in their direction.

"Anyway." Murata's voice snapped everyone's attention back to the matter at hand. "Torben's neighbor was the librarian who found out about the disease from an ancient book he owned."

"The book is on it's way here now with our men." Gwendal inserted, finally tearing his eyes away from the sullen princess. "Unfortunately, to set us back even further the book is written in a strange human language."

"Specifically what I believe to be the lost language of Sithelanar." The Great Sage said, it was impossible to tell who he was looking at from behind his specs. It gave him an omniscient aura that Gwendal had come to despise.

He did not mention this to me before the meeting. Gwendal glowered at the table in front of him. Great Sage or not, one day I may very well end up ripping those glasses off his face and crushing them beneath my feet. Günter would be in hysterics. Despite it being quite atypical of him and inappropriate given the current discussion, he wanted to laugh.

Risking a glance at the Great Sage, Gwendal could have sworn he was smirking at him, he loured in return which only seemed to make the Sage break into a full-blown sly smile, which he tried to cover by bringing his black sleeve up to his face.

"Can't you just get the librarian to read it? I mean, he knows how to read it doesn't he? If he identified the disease and all? " Yuuri said oblivious to the exchange between the Commander and the Sage.

"The librarian may very well know how to interpret some of the writing in the book, but he himself is dying from the disease, he'll be dead in a matter of days. Even if we were to set out this very minute, or contact the spies and ask them to return to Jade Peak, it would be off little use." Said Gwendal.

"He'll likely be dead or too far gone to be of help to us now." Clarified the Sage tonelessly.

Yuuri sighed heavily, while Greta looked crestfallen.

"Then, I take it you don't know how to read the book then, Great Sage?" Gwendal asked letting an ounce of mockery drip into his words. Yuuri raised his eyebrows briefly at Gwendal, but focused his attention on Murata with anticipation blooming in his chest.

"I'm afraid not, however from the vivid drawings I received via the Kohi that delivered the report, I was able to identify characters that are similar to a style of literary writing in the country of Prouye in the north west."

"Prouye?"

"That's another human country beyond Big Cimaron." Conrad supplied. The Sage nodded at the brown haired in affirmation.

"If I could translate the book, I believe we can gain a better understanding of the disease, I think it's entirely possible that contemporary Prouyen is derived from Sithelanaran." Murata rubbed his chin thoughtfully whilst everyone at the table looked at him expectantly. "Lord von Christ, I was hoping to count on your assistance in this matter."

"Of course Your Eminence, I'd be honoured to help in any way I can."

"When our spies are back, we can have a crack at it." Murata said as he pushed up his glasses to the bridge of his nose once more.

"Ahh…yes." Günter looked momentarily confused. Take a crack at it? Surely His Eminence cannot mean physically breaking the book?! What use would that have? Günter looked worried, but given the expressions of the occupants around the table; his negative countenance easily blended in. Must be some kind of Earth expression.

"So what are we going to do till then? We need some kind of an action plan." Yuuri said calmly, despite feeling anything but. He wanted to get up, run around, go for a jog maybe because sitting still was beginning to drive him mad.

"At the moment, all we can do is wait for the spies to return to Blood Pledge Castle with the librarian's book. After which I suggest I set out for Prouye in hopes of finding someone who might be able to help us translate the book and hopefully provide us with more information about our resident disease." Murata said, noting his glasses had slid half way down his nose again. I really should get these readjusted.

"From what I gather from everything that's been said, we already know the book doesn't contain a cure." Said Wolfram, he'd been quiet long enough.

"Still the information we have is too vague, I need a proper translation, all we know so far is how to test for the disease, the symptoms, possible mode of transmission and once contracted; the likely length of time before death. This is all very helpful and all, but we need more information if we are to find a cure." Murata glanced at the green clad commander out of the corner of his eye. Still glaring I see. "Lord von Voltaire I think it may be helpful if we discreetly send out a message in search of scholars who know either Prouyen or Sithelanaran that may reside in this Kingdom or among our allies."

Gwendal nodded in agreement, "We have to seek out these scholars in a way as to not alarm them or anyone else."

"I agree, but we are searching for scholars and experts of literature, it's hardly sinister." Murata stared intently at the King who looked back at him with an equally intense stare. Still, it's only a matter of time before people become suspicious, it's only a matter of time before word of this killer disease will spread across the kingdom. This may be one of your biggest challenges yet friend, you'll need to step up. Your kingdom will need you now more than ever our King. Murata groaned inwardly. I think I am getting too sentimental.

"The second course of action we ought to take is to send out a reconnaissance party to investigate the old lands of Sithelanar, which now fall in Igozian territory."

Gwendal nodded in the direction of the Sage in conformation, Anissina answered in his place; "I think that that's a good start, if we can find where this disease originated from, maybe there; we'll find the cure as well or at least some clues on how to make one ourselves. Someone, somewhere must know of something." She gripped the table edge tightly with conviction. "Meanwhile I will do what I can to come up with some sort of treatment plan on our end."

"The healers are bringing back both physically and maryoku sealed samples of infected tissue." Gwendal said looking uncomfortable, but everyone understood his discomfort, they were practically inviting the disease through their front door.

"I also think it's worth bearing in mind that Widow's Cry may not have necessarily originated in Sithelanar, the last recorded outbreak appears to have been there and the book happens to be written in a Sithelanarian language." Said the black haired sage, he resisted the urge to sigh in way that was very unbecoming of him. Shinou always said I sighed too much.

"It's not as though we have any other leads." Said Wolfram looking a little put out.

"Exactly let's go now!" Yuuri stood up with an air of finality. "Murata, you can go to Prouye to translate the book and I will set out to the former Sithelanarian lands to investigate the last outbreak."

"I'm afraid we cannot Your Majesty." Gwendal interjected.

"Well why the hell not?!"

"If I am not mistaken, Igozia is a northern country." Günter looked as though he were trying to recall something significant. "Despite the moderate climate we're experiencing at the moment, we will have to wait at least another month before it is safe for nautical travel." Günter said as he regarded the young man that was his king sympathetically. "It's too hostile, your majesty."

The Sage agreed with the advisor. "The sea's partially frozen over in that area Shibuya, not to mention all the ice bergs. It would be like taking a giant sledgehammer and hitting the Antarctic landmass, then trying to sail in between the cracks." He said gravely. "Furthermore Igozia compromises of mainly mountainous terrain, the place is renowned for having some of the coldest temperatures ever recorded; everything in the surrounding area gets turned to ice when the winter comes."

"In short, going there now is suicide." Wolfram summed up what everyone was thinking, though he did not quite understand the sledgehammer reference.

"So what are we supposed to do in the meantime?!" Yuuri looked visibly frustrated as he leaned over the table, like a child that had been told after a year of waiting they could no longer go to Disney Land.

"We wait." Answered Anissina with her arms crossed, a light frown adorning her face.

Gwendal cleared his throat, mentally preparing himself for the childish onslaught. "I would like to highly recommend that Your Majesty not leave."

"What do you mean?!"

"There's a deadly incurable disease lose in the Kingdom and the King suddenly jumps land." Said Wolfram with annoyance thick in his voice. That should have been obvious! Typical Yuuri, he's all Kingly and manly one minute, then a stupid reckless child the next.

"To help find a cure!" He protested.

"We know you mean well Your Majesty." Gwendal pronounced each word carefully, feeling his patience slipping and a tightening sensation building up behind his temples.

"It just won't look good papa Yuuri." Said the said man's adoptive daughter.

Really, you as well Greta? Yuuri looked at the girl sadly. Am I really making a fool of myself? He looked at the faces that were staring back at him. I only said what I thought was right, it's what I have to do. It's my duty as King to go and find this cure! So why are you all looking at me like that?

A soft voice broke through his thoughts, it was Conrad's surely. "A King should be with his people in times like these, to reassure them." He smiled warmly at the young man, conveying with his soft brown eyes understanding and sympathy.

Yuuri sat down slowly and he took a deep breath, letting some of the tension roll off his shoulders.

"Not to mention, demons rarely travel this far into human lands, it would be unwise to send The Great Demon King to uncharted territory with next to no assurances. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you Your Majesty!" Said Günter, working his way up to hysterical.

"I want to go, I can't just sit here and do nothing." Said Yuuri tightly, ignoring Günter completely.

"You most certainly will not sit here and do nothing." Gwendal said harshly. "With respect Your Majesty, the situation is going to get much worse before it gets any better."

"I know that!"

"Then you will also realize why you are needed here in the Demon Kingdom." Gwendal replied sharply as though he were speaking to a naughty child.

"It's only a matter of time before people become divided Shibuya."

"You ought to know better." Wolfram chimed in crisply.

Why are you all being like this? Do you all think I'm stupid?! Yuuri wanted to scream in frustration.

"I'm inclined to agree Your Majesty, it would be wise to-."

"It's Yuuri, Conrad! Yuuri!" He snapped at his godfather and scowled at the man as though he were solely responsible for the disease itself. He had finally blown, any semblance of calm and patience he been trying to maintain rolled off like water on his shoulders. His chest heaved up and down and the brown haired guard looked on mildly taken back.

Yuuri could feel his ears burning, through it all he thought he heard his daughter mumble something at him, but he couldn't hear it over his heavy breathing.

An eerie kind of silence reigned over the room and occupants, broken only by Yuuri's light panting.

"Shibuya." Murata started evenly. "I know you want to go, but right now you need to think of what your people need and it's most certainly not a King who is thousands of miles away."

"You represent peace and unity here, it will surely be needed now more than ever." Anissina added.

"There is already a certain matter you must tend to." Yuuri looked at Gwendal expectantly, he was angry at his own helplessness, a mildly vicious look had managed to paint his face. Unperturbed Gwendal continued. "Houloie is next nearest village to Jade Peak. Trade has been ceased at the moment between the two villages due to difficult road conditions. I would implore Your Majesty to sign off on a Royal Decree forbidding trade between Jade Peak and any other villages in our realm or overseas." He paused briefly. "Furthermore, you should also to consider forbidding the people of Jade Peak from leaving or entering any other village."

"I understand why you would want to do that, but have you thought about how the people of Jade Peak are going to manage?" Yuuri challenged the man.

Gwendal raised his eyebrow, trying not to look offended. I've done this longer than you, and off course I have.

"They are frightened." Gwendal stated simply. "But we cannot allow then to roam and trade as they please, not until we develop an effective management system."

"He's right Yuuri." Said Wolfram from across the table. "Plus there could be more people infected than we know about."

"This is all so much." Yuuri spoke softly, a complete turn from his tone of voice from less than two minutes ago. "This is like we're abandoning them."

"But you are not Yuuri." Conrad insisted.

"It must be done Your Majesty." Günter said woefully.

Greta looked at Yuuri meekly and offered him a small sad smile when their eyes met.

"We don't have any other choice, the people at Jade Peak were probably expecting this as well." Added Murata.

Wolfram on the other hand looked at Yuuri blankly, his green eyes seemed to be glazed over. I wonder what he is thinking? What should I do Wolfram?

"We are here to advise you Your Majesty." Anissina spoke frankly after no one had anything in over a minute, there was no trace of sympathy in her voice, though Yuuri suspected she was just as affected as everyone else. "I think it would also be a good idea if we prevent anyone from docking at Jade Peak Village; sailors, traveling merchants, any visitors from overseas, I could ask my family to spare a few ships to surround the waters there to ensure this."

Gwendal nodded at the woman with a look almost akin to gratitude.

"What we need to do is section off Jade Peak, no trade, and no one goes in or out without permission of the King, and place guards to make sure that this is kept in force. In conjunction, the people of Jade Peak will not be able to leave, nor no outsiders enter." Murata said carefully, knowing his friend wasn't comfortable with this idea.

"So we're basically cutting them off and leaving them to die?" Yuuri knew he sounded sulky, but he couldn't help it. He didn't like this.

"No, we are isolating them, but we will need to support Jade Peak completely in vital resources, the village will essentially be living in a bubble." The other black haired man answered.

"So how do we go about this Murata?"

After a moment's pause, the spectacled man spoke. "We need to prepare for the worst, and our timing must be perfect; first we will have to summon the ten noble houses."

"They'll be coming for Greta's birthday." Yuuri said, sounding a little unsure.

"Yes, but we need to meet them before that to explain the current situation in detail, undoubtedly Lady von Rochfort will already be aware of the situation since Jade Peak falls in her territory."

Yuuri, took a moment to glance at Greta who looked back at him seriously, Wolfram watching the exchange looked away with his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Then it's settled, I will send letters out tonight for all the heads of the ten noble houses asking them to leave as soon as possible, we shall convene prior to Greta's birthday to discuss the situation in more detail." Said Gwendal. I just hope those bastards will take this seriously. He paused thoughtfully looking directly at Yuuri. "Most of all we need their co-operation and enforcement to make this work."

Günter nodded in agreement.

Murata smirked. "Do you see why you are needed here now Shibuya? You must get the noble houses to agree, if we are to come up a cure and are to produce vaccinations on a grand scale; we may even need to raise taxes to generate more money." He looked at his King seriously. "Or else once this is over, provided we are all still alive, the Crown will have an enormous debt and that can't possibly lead to anything good."

As if recalling some unpleasant incident from his past, he added in a much more unforgiving voice; "Not only for that reason, there may be people that panic, people who don't believe this disease or think it's some kind of conspiracy, people that may refuse to pay taxes, people that may riot in protest." He gave in and sighed audibly. "In short I cannot emphasize enough why you are needed here."

"Assuming the worst is the best way to prepare." Anissina said confidently.

"On the bright side, dare I say we have everything under control…at the moment." The Sage said tentatively.

The King looked at him slightly puzzled. "Oh? What do you mean Murata?"

The Sage peered at his friend across the table, propping his chin forward with his two index fingers. "The outbreak is contained within Jade Peak, in the village itself, only the people in the south have become infected, on top of that we know how it's spread so precautions can be taken to reduce the rate and chance of transmission."

"But how long will this last?" Conrad asked, not expecting an answer.

"Not to mention we are speaking in theory over here." Anissina said in support of the Sage. "Only six people have died and supposedly fifteen have become infected. There's a chance this disease won't spread beyond Jade Peak, it's unlikely yes…" She frowned looking both thoughtful and annoyed. "But we're speaking as though we are facing the apocalypse."

"Six too many." Yuuri said sharply.

"Of course, I meant no disrespect Your Majesty." Said Anissina quickly. "I think it is important we have this discussion and prepare for the worst, but we don't even know if this disease will turn out to be an epidemic."

"What are you saying Anissina?" Asked Günter cautiously.

"Nothing in particular, I am simply making a point." She replied.

Everyone pondered this briefly. Anissina did have a point but no one was quite ready to believe her.

Could this disease really turn out to be a fluke? Yuuri desperately wanted to believe it, but the sour feeling in his gut wouldn't let up.

Gwendal cleared his throat so as to gather everyone's attention. "We need to inform the people of the realm of situation in a calm way so as to keep everything controlled; I would say several days after Princess Greta's birthday." Gwendal vaguely noted that the meeting had taken on a repetitive turn, no one seemed to mind though, as if saying what need to be done over and over again solidified the action plan.

"Alright." Yuuri quickly agreed, seemingly wanting to say more. "Speaking of informing people, Gwendal." He looked at the man straight in the eye and spoke with confidence. "The guards that you plan to place at Jade Peak to isolate the village, I want them to be fully made aware of the risks and consequences, and only send them if they have given their informed consent."

"But of course Your Majesty, I will see to it." Gwendal offered a small nod as a sign of respect to the King's decision.

As an afterthought he added looking directly at the red haired woman. "Anissina, this applies to the people on that will be on the ships your family deploy."

The inventor smiled lightly at her King.

"With your permission, there is something else I would like for us to do." Said Gwendal, drawing the King's attention to him once more.

"What else?" Yuuri asked hesitantly.

"I would like to call for the distribution of the dyed and Vollny treated rice paper to Jade Peak, also to Houloie and the next nearest village."

"The what?" Yuuri drew up blank.

Murata wanted to slap him. I suppose it's not his fault since we didn't explain in detail how to test for the disease. "Shibuya, it's the paper that once dipped in blood will identify whether someone has Widow's Cry or not."

"Oh." Understanding grew across the young King's face, he turned to the commander. "That's a good idea Gwendal, everyone who is headed towards Jade Peak should be issued some."

"Yes that would be a wise course of action, but it may alarm the nearby villages." Conrad added.

"It can't be helped." Gwendal dismissed, then seemed to ponder on it a little longer. "It will have to be done in diplomatic way."

I am not sure how that's possible. Thought Wolfram internally, though he imagined he wasn't the only one thinking that.

A pregnant silence filled the room, Anissina was determined to break it. "Anyway, I will talk to Gisela, it would be a good idea to introduce a regular screening programme whilst I work on an alternative to the chemically treated paper."

This time the inventor looked directly at Gwendal. "Of course I won't be able to get started with the real work until our men bring back the sealed samples you mentioned earlier."

Gwendal simply stared back at her intensely and watched her bright blue eyes move left to right as she skimmed through the folder he handed to her at the beginning.

"It's flimsy." She started. "Distributing the dyed and Vollny treated rice paper pre-prepared is a good idea, however, over a few days the efficacy of the detection method decreases as the formed reagents on the paper start to break down."

"We could provide the people with the raw ingredients and they could produce the thing themselves." Said Wolfram defiantly.

Yuuri looked at Anissina with expectant wide eyes.

"Yes, but there's the chance people will not prepare the paper properly, thus giving rise to the possibility of false negative results." Supplied Murata, before Ansinna had a chance to answer, she bobbed her head up and down as if to agree with his statement.

Yuuri and Greta looked especially disappointed at the news.

"In the meantime however it's all we have." Gwendal said with a note of finality in his voice.

Günter folded his arms appearing to be in deep thought. "It would be prudent to gather the necessary ingredients now so they will be available on demand if and when needed."

No one said anything after that, everyone appeared to be deep in thought, trying to register everything that had to be done, the moment of quiet was broken by the Princess.

"Erm, it feels kind of inappropriate to celebrate my birthday now, with so much going on that is…" She started awkwardly.

"I disagree, a happy birthday celebration is just what we need. We must keep the people in high spirits, emphasize unity, and it will help to increase the sense of patriotism among our people." The Sage stated. "Furthermore Greta's birthday ball is a convenient means to gather the heads of the ten noble houses without arousing suspicion."

Wolfram narrowed his eyes at the Sage with while Yuuri glared at him fiercely with ill-concealed displeasure. Nice going Murata, you didn't have to put it like that.

The Sage deliberately focused his undivided attention on the youngest member at the table in hopes of making her feel like an integral part of their action plan. "They should already be making preparations to come here anyway, we simply need to inform them to pick up the pace a bit."

Greta resisted the urge to squirm under his gaze. "Are you really sure?" She asked almost timidly, she stared down at her clenched fists resting on her lap. I don't want it to happen like this.

It was clear to everyone she didn't want to go through with this charade. Over the past few weeks, at the mention of her birthday, Greta's eyes would practically light up with excitement and anticipation, now she just looked worried and uncomfortable.

"Murata." Said Yuuri in a dangerously low voice, with unmistakable undertone full of warning.

If Murata had heard him, he didn't show it.

"Yes for the reasons I just stated, and more; suddenly cancelling your birthday ball would only upset a lot of people and make them suspicious." The Sage explained. "Think of all the people that have already begun making preparations, their efforts would be in vain and their festive spirit ruined."

He smiled at her encouragingly. "Why they are already selling Greta shaped cookies in town, they are quite the treat."

"Yes! I've heard they are very popular." Günter chimed in trying to lighten the mood.

But it wasn't well received, the princess still looked just as depressed, and Anissinna frowned deeply in disapproval, not bothering to hide her obvious distaste at what was happening here.

"You are doing this Kingdom a great service by just going out there and having a good time." The Sage tried again.

"Oh, okay, if you say so." Greta said uncertainly, trying to hide her obvious disappointment at his words. How could I possibly go out and pretend to be happy when I know for a fact there are people dying from a horrible disease. How can I possibly get into the festive mood when I know that there is another girl grieving for her lost brother, probably afraid and confused?

But her mind was instantly made up when she took note of the way her father was looking at the Sage, and seeing as that he was about to say something that surely couldn't be anything good, she spoke quickly. "I'll do it!"

Yuuri turned to the girl surprised.

I just don't want you to get angry again papa.

Greta forced the edges of her lips to pull upwards. "I'd be happy to help this Kingdom in any way I can."

"Greta listen." Yuuri started.

"No, he's right papa." She looked into her father's big black eyes. "Besides it would be a shame to let the dress I'm having especially made go to waste, we spent hours picking out the material yesterday, remember?" She tried to say as casually as she could.

"Yes, but-" Yuuri tried to speak again, only to be cut off.

"I want to do this." She said determinedly, but her father wasn't swayed.

"I'd be happy to this." Greta tried again. "I've been looking forward to my birthday for ages anyway." She smiled at Yuuri who looked back at her wretchedly.

The sage merely observed the wooden play that was unfolding before in approval, but couldn't help but feel mildly dejected.

Whereas Wolfram on the other hand looked on feeling exceptionally exasperated, there was so much that he wanted to say but at the same time he felt like his tongue had been tied, he was sympathetic, angry, disgusted and frustrated all at once. Greta.

It was then, that for the first time since entering the room, Wolfram noticed his eldest brother watching him intently and with purpose.

Damn you Gwendal.

The warning was clear in his eyes and Wolfram practically growled under his breath.

It's a no win situation either way. Greta thought dismally, her insides clenched with guilt. She felt guilty for celebrating her birthday whilst there were people suffering and dying. But she felt guilty for wanting to call everything off and wasting all the effort and time that had gone into the preparation of the event already. The princess recalled how excited everyone had been when she had gone into town yesterday, children laughing, the sweet smell of freshly baked goods in the air, and the way people seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves as they ate those cookies. Greta swallowed in the sigh that was begging to escape her lips.

It certainly wasn't the biggest issue at hand, in fact it wasn't really a problem at all but Gwendal couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl as he saw her trying her best to look falsely impassioned. He couldn't deny the convenience of having a birthday ball around the corner, it was a clever ploy, but he didn't quite have the heart to bring himself to agree verbally, he'd always had a soft spot for the Greta after all.

"We shall conclude for now." He said instead, standing up with an air of finality.

And just like that everyone, started to go about their own business. Gwendal left the large brown table in favour of his smaller, more personal wooden desk on the other side of the room by the tall windows.

Anissina was the first to get up and leave the room, she strode out with purpose, determined to get started on her analysis.

Greta's eyes lingered anxiously on her father, she looked like she wanted to say something, but Günter ushered her out, claiming something about how her studies shouldn't stop even if there was a terrifying disease at large.

Wolfram watched the girl as she was swept out, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pain and jealousy as her eyes were solely trained on Yuuri. I am here for you too, I hope you know that. He was already in a bad mood following his trip to the Butterfly Chase and the news of this ancient disease, but now he had every intention to go away brood.

"Your Majesty, if you'll excuse me for a moment." Conrad stated, even though the King was not watching, the man bowed lightly and exited with several long strides.

Wolfram thought it was unusual for his brother to leave Yuuri. He's probably gone to find Yozak, or that Jaecar Karlyn person.

Yuuri only barely acknowledge his godfather leave, he wanted to apologize to the man for unfairly yelling at him earlier. But the young King was preoccupied, his eyes following the lithe form of the sage as the man slipped through the grand towering office doors. Yuuri willed his heavy legs to bear his weight as he forced himself up, he stalked after the man with a dark expression on his face.

How dare he.


A/N: There you have it!

Sorry it's been so long, I made this chapter extra long as a bonus!

It's been a while since I've come back to this story so if you do notice any inconsistencies with the things mentioned in the previous chapters, do point it out to me and I will edit this asap.

This whole chapter was basically one long conversation, but it was necessary to get some of the details out the way.

I didn't want to bring the disease up this soon in the story but I'm a little impatient and kind of just want to dive right into it.

When narrating Conrad he will be referred to as "Conrad" because that's how Yuuri refers to him. But others; namely demons will refer to Conrad as "Conrart" since that is officially his name. I think I've also come up with like four different ways to spell "Anissina", sorry guys, but you know who I am talking about and what I am trying to spell. ahahhah =)

As always, please excuse my bad grammar/spelling errors.

More on Wolfram's thoughts on the meeting and Yuuri to come in later chapters!

Hope you liked it.