I redid Chapters 5 and 6, so I suggest rereading them. There wasn't a lot of change in 5, but 6 has changed drastically. I realized I was incredibly tired when I wrote them and the characters hadn't turned out at all as I had wanted, nor was I happy with the turn of the plot. Thank you for your time and I hope you continue to enjoy reading this fanfiction.
Gwendal finished another stack of paperwork and stood to move it towards the other end of the room. He was back in Blood Pledge Castle, months after Yuuri had returned to his world. They were behind on legal matters, as Gwendal had expected they would be, and there were simply some things he could not do without the Maou's signature. He considered forging one, but then realized Gunter would berate him.
The past few weeks had been torturous. Every day was filled with new complaints from the nobles and problems with the commoners. Gwendal still did not feel as if the border was secure enough or that Morgif would be enough of a deterrent to stop the human territories from attacking fringe villages. Wolfram had become unusually hotheaded recently, demanding Gwendal announce when the wedding would take place in order to placate the arguing nobility and quell any plans Stoffel would have made. Lady Cecilie had disappeared again on her adventure over the world, though Gwendal was beginning to believe this was actually a blessing in disguise. Conrad and Yozak had been arguing lately, but Gwendal wouldn't have cared about that if it wasn't affecting the guards. Gunter mourned the absence of their king enough to drive the General half-crazy.
He grabbed another stack of papers and set it down harder on his desk than he had meant to, sending several pieces of paper loose.
They hadn't made much progress since Yuuri had become king. Roads needed to be maintained. Buildings needed repairs. The border had to be secured. There were meetings they had to set up with their neighbors to ensure peace between them. Allies needed to be assured that the new Maou had intentions of renewing their relationship. Enemies needed to be informed attacking Shin Makoku would be a pointless fruitless endeavor. Soldiers needed to be recruited, but the Maou needed to decide a limit on their government's spending. Did he cut costs in the military to spend on roads or did he cut costs on roads to secure the border?
The General didn't sit down, instead walking up to the window to stare out at the courtyard below.
Conrad, Gunter, and Wolfram had gone to retrieve the young Maou from Shinou's Temple, but Gwendal had not decided to accompany them. It would have been the right thing to do, being Yuuri's fiance, but he hadn't been prepared to see the teenager yet.
While he'd been forced into the position of substitute Maou every time Yuuri had left, Gwendal had been occupied with thoughts of the boy and the problems their "relationship" entailed. Already rumors had spread that Gwendal was achieving the position of Maou through Yuuri. It had become commonly accepted that if Yuuri had never arrived then Gwendal would have become the next Maou and if not him then Wolfram. Conrad insisted neither were good for the position, though he never said this to anyone, but Yozak.
Gwendal hated to agree with Conrad, but his brother had a point. Wolfram was too hotheaded, even more so than Yuuri, and Gwendal had seen too much war to be in any position to lead this country as Maou. He would be their War King if offered to take the throne and even he recognized this.
His office suddenly opened, yanking him from his thoughts. Glaring at the intruder, he was met with a terrified Dacascos standing there.
"Sir!" The man snapped a salute. "I'm so sorry to intrude, but I felt compelled to warn you: Lady Karbelnikoff has just arrived at Blood Pledge Castle."
Gwendal felt the blood drain from his face and he gave a weak nod of dismissal.
The paperwork would have to wait: escaping Anissina had taken priority.
Gwendal flinched when he heard his name shouted in excitement, half-expecting to see Anissina. Instead, he found himself glaring down at Yuuri, who immediately went to hide behind Gunter. The General tried to calm his face, but Conrad's "Gwendal won't eat you," glued his scowl back in place.
"What great timing," Gunter suddenly interjected. "You can tell his majesty what he missed in his absence."
The General considered declining, but the thought of Anissina rushed into his mind and survival kicked in.
"Follow me, your majesty," Gwendal spun on his heel and started walking. "Gunter, can you retrieve the paperwork from my office?"
Gunter hesitated before reluctantly obeying.
They were only a few paces down the hall when they heard Gunter's terrified yell.
"What was that?" Yuuri yelped.
"I believe Anissina has found Gunter." Gwendal opened the Maou's office door and waved Yuuri inside. "How unfortunate."
He ignored the looks he was receiving from his brothers and asked Conrad to retrieve the paperwork since Gunter was indisposed. Begrudgingly, Conrad agreed and quietly dismissed himself. Wolfram didn't linger either and commented about honing his skills before leaving the office.
Yuuri plopped down in the seat behind the desk and the two fell into an awkward silence, broken only when Yuuri commented about the kingdom's map on the wall. Gwendal resigned himself to teaching the young Maou about the territories shown on the map while they waited for Conrad to return.
"So with Lady Ceci gone," Yuuri turned to Gwendal. "Who rules Spitzweg's Territory?"
Gwendal couldn't stop a frown from forming on his lips as he recalled the last time he'd seen Stoffel. They had gotten in an argument, as Gwendal knew they would. The man had a way of pushing all of Gwendal's buttons simultaneously. When Gwendal had tried to dismiss himself from the argument gracefully, he'd instead been dragged into a shouting match, which had resulted in Stoffel being unceremoniously kicked out of Voltaire Castle. The General had been livid for days and then Yuuri had shown up in the baths. He considered it a small blessing Yuuri hadn't arrived while Stoffel had been visiting. He could only imagine the manipulation Stoffel would have tried while Yuuri was present.
"A snake," Gwendal stated without thinking. "Since the former Maou has gone off on her search for...love...we had no other choice, but to allow her brother to take over the Spitzweg Territory."
"He's a snake?" Yuuri questioned in confusion before realization dawned on his face. "Wait. Isn't Lady Ceci's brother Stoffel? That handsome man from the parade?"
Gwendal stiffened.
"I thought he served as Lady Cece's regent."
"He did, but he's retired to the territory now." The General gave a snort. "Which is appropriate given his recent behavior."
"Recent behavior?" Yuuri repeated.
Gwendal didn't answer immediately, wondering what Conrad would say if the General involved the young Maou in their political affairs. Then he decided Yuuri had every right to know what was happening. If he remained naive then he would not be able to grow as the new Maou nor would he be prepared for when someone did try to manipulate him.
"Stoffel has grown accustomed to the power he had as regent," Gwendal explained. "And he manipulated Lady Cecilie for his own purposes. He intends to place himself in a position close to you in order to retain that power by manipulating you to his will. This is why we have...encouraged him to govern the Spitzweg Territory with hopes it will occupy his time. However, he has left most of the dealings of government with his right-hand, Raven, while instead seeking ways to return to authority here in Blood Pledge Castle."
"He's trying to manipulate me?"
The General hadn't expected the hurt in the boy's voice and forced himself not to look at Yuuri.
"It is important you are not left in the dark," the demon stated, more to assure himself he was doing the right thing. "Ignorance is what led to war during our last Maou's reign."
Yuuri wasn't looking at Gwendal anymore and he wasn't looking at the map either. A quiet settled around them for a few moments before Yuuri walked back to the desk and sat down in his chair. Gwendal paced over to the window, wondering what was taking Conrad so long.
"Do you think the others don't want me to know these things?" the teenager abruptly asked.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"They believe keeping you in the dark will protect you," Gwendal answered. "Because they are sentimental. I see it as providing you with a weakness when you already have many weaknesses."
"Hey!" Yuuri whined, but Gwendal spoke over him.
"You are naive and young and a foreigner who does not understand our customs," the General growled. "You don't need to be ignorant as well."
Yuuri was pouting, but Gwendal ignored the youth as he continued to stare out the window at the courtyard below. Conrad entered the room a few minutes later apologizing about being interrupted by first Dacascos then Wolfram and then Gunter who was running away from Anissina and then Anissina herself.
"Sounds busy," Yuuri mumbled, causing Conrad to look at the dismayed features of the boy in surprise before casting Gwendal a glare.
The General decided to direct their attention to the paperwork, knowing he would be getting an earful from Conrad later for having made the youth act in such a manner.
"This pile is paperwork I could not handle without your signature," Gwendal explained. "You will find several proposals by other nobles as well as several government spending plans. You should consider what is more important to budget towards. Some minor laws need to be enacted and we should arrange for recruitment of soldiers."
"And why would his majesty need to recruit more soldiers?" Conrad demanded.
"It is explained in the paperwork," Gwendal snarled back.
"His majesty cannot read our language yet," Conrad reminded the General.
"Then I will explain it to him," the demon shot back.
"Perhaps I should," the Captain argued.
"Um...excuse me?" Yuuri spoke up between the men in a small voice. "Uh, is there something I missed?"
"No," the brothers replied in unison as they looked away from each other.
Yuuri gave a weak sigh before picking up the first piece of paper.
"Okay...what does this one say?"
Reluctantly, Gwendal decided he'd have to play translator for the boy until the paperwork was finished. Taking the paper from him, the General began to read the document aloud.
They didn't retire for dinner until late in the evening.
Gwendal listened as his men reported strange movements throughout the city and on the castle grounds itself. Irritation began to itch under his skin and he demanded someone send for Conrad. He didn't want to see his brother, having successfully evaded him after dinner, but it seemed he had little choice. They needed to secure the castle from these mysterious intruders before something bad happened. He wouldn't say it aloud, but he had a feeling that Stoffel was somehow behind what was going on and he had to ensure Yuuri wasn't dragged into the former regent's politics.
He heard a horse approaching and looked up to see Conrad riding towards him.
"You summoned me, Gwendal?" the Captain asked, though his tone had lost all usual pleasantry.
"Indeed," the General confirmed. "There's a commotion on the castle grounds. People just walking in the streets are being attacked indiscriminately."
He gave a disgusted sound in his throat.
"First the demon king arrives..." He froze upon realizing what he was about to say and gave another grunt.
"I hardly think you can put the blame on his majesty," Conrad admonished, studying Gwendal with narrow eyes.
"I only mean I have a pretty good idea about who is responsible," the General amended. "Stoffel."
"I see." Conrad's voice became immediately serious. "Either way, please don't tell his majesty about this. I don't want to worry him at this time."
Anger flared up in Gwendal's chest and he couldn't resist scowling at the Captain.
"You need to stop doting on that boy," the demon snapped. "How will he ever learn to rule this country if he is consistently left in the dark?"
"So you told him about our concerns over Stoffel?" Conrad accused. "That's why he seemed down in the office."
"I don't believe..."
"I don't care what you believe," Conrad interjected. "Your duty is security. You are not his royal aid and you are not his adviser."
Gwendal didn't speak as he continued to glare at his brother.
"Increase the security inside the castle," Conrad commanded. "I'm heading into the city."
The Captain waited for Gwendal to offer agreement, but the General spun on his heel and marched back into the castle without glancing back at his brother.
"I'm counting on you, Gwendal!" Conrad shouted after him, but the demon didn't even acknowledge the Captain.
Images of Conrad being dumped over a cliff flashed through his mind, but he shoved them away. He didn't really want to hurt Conrad, but his anger was blinding. His entire body kept shaking as he tried to quell his rage.
Conrad and him would never see eye to eye when it came to how to handle Yuuri. The former would always see a child who needed to be shielded and protected while Gwendal would always see a child who needed to grow up and take on the responsibilities he had agreed to take on when he became Maou.
He found one of his men and passed out orders to double the guard before informing the man that Gwendal himself would be posted outside of his majesty's room. Without further waiting, Gwendal made his way up to the Maou's room, hoping a light would still be on indicating Yuuri was still awake. He was pleasantly surprised to see a golden glow coming from the crack beneath the door and immediately knocked.
Yuuri opened up the room dressed in his night clothes and jumped when he realized Gwendal was the one standing before him.
"Oh, uh, Gwendal," Yuuri stuttered. "W-what's up?"
"I am here to inform you..."
The General paused when he realized three of the maids were peering at him and Yuuri from down the hall. Without asking for permission, Gwendal shoved Yuuri back in the room, shutting and locking the door behind him. Yuuri seemed flustered at the intrusion and immediately began to complain, but Gwendal ignored him as he went to the windows to shut and lock them as well.
"Uh...Gwendal?" Yuuri questioned as he watched the man. "What's going on?"
"There's been a commotion on the castle grounds," Gwendal informed the youth after the room was secured. "Conrart is looking into it and I've doubled the guard. There shouldn't be a problem, but I felt you should be informed. Keep your room locked and do not open the door for anyone unless you know it is either myself or Conrart. Understood?"
"A commotion?" Yuuri gasped. "What kind of commotion? Are we under attack? Has anyone been hurt?"
"We are still working through the details," the General stated. "As I've already said, Conrart is investigating. You should be safe, so there is nothing to worry about."
"I'm not worried about me!" Yuuri objected. "What about everyone else?"
Gwendal didn't even glare at the youth as he made his way to the room's exit.
"Lock this door behind me and stay put," Gwendal demanded. "If you want to protect everyone else, then you will concern yourself with your own safety for tonight. Understood?"
Yuuri didn't answer, instead throwing himself on his bed in frustration.
Rolling his eyes, Gwendal exited the room and stationed himself as guard in front of it. After several seconds, he was surprised, though also pleased, when he heard the door lock behind him. Shortly afterwards, the glow disappeared from under the door.
Again, Gwendal realized the quiet was a curse. His mind pulled out the thoughts he had tucked away and tortured him with all of his concerns. He recalled his latest argument with Wolfram as the young prince demanded Gwendal set a date for the wedding. He couldn't imagine that conversation going over well with Yuuri and he didn't even want to imagine the look on Conrad's face if Gwendal went ahead with a date without Yuuri's consent.
Pain sparked behind his eyes and he focused on the dark hallways.
He had to do something about Conrad. As much as he did care about his brother and as much as he knew Conrad meant well, the Captain's meddling was going to become a problem. He needed Conrad to trust him, but the man wouldn't so long as he felt Gwendal had an agenda.
The pain increased and he blinked rapidly.
Gwendal did have an agenda, but not some diabolical plan like Yozak had tried in the human territories. The General wasn't testing Yuuri: he was trying to make sure the new Maou was strong enough to rule on his own without assistance. Keeping him informed and enabling him to make informed decisions was only a single step in his plan. He also wanted to train Yuuri how to properly fight and how to speak in political circles. The boy needed to learn how to address the people with both grace and command. Yuuri needed to know when to be lenient and when to set his foot down. Most importantly, Yuuri needed to become the ruler Shin Makoku needed, not the child Conrad never wanted to see grow up.
Footsteps caused Gwendal to spin towards the sound, his muscles prepared to draw his sword. He relaxed a fraction when he saw Conrad approaching him.
"It's reassuring to see that the Great Gwendal Von Voltaire is standing guard over his majesty," Conrad commented, but his voice sounded suspicious.
"I was already making the rounds," the General muttered as an excuse.
Conrad stopped in front of his brother and gave a glance at the door behind the General where Yuuri would be sleeping.
"How is his highness?" Conrad questioned, flicking his eyes towards Gwendal.
The General couldn't bring himself to lie and the pause was enough to provide Conrad a chance to speak.
"You informed him of the commotion, didn't you?" Conrad accused.
"I felt it was the right thing to do," Gwendal glared when Conrad opened his mouth to object. "And he's fine. His room has been secured and he has been informed of a possible threat."
"You had no right..."
"It was a matter of security," Gwendal argued. "Which apparently is the only duty I'm permitted anymore."
Conrad was giving his brother a fierce look, but didn't offer a retort.
"Anything on the castle grounds?" the General eventually asked.
"We have determined the intruder wasn't a robber," Conrad replied in a stiff voice. "Nothing was taken from the victims."
Gwendal subconsciously ground his teeth.
"I don't like this situation," he stated as he turned to stalk down the hall. "I'm increasing the guard. You take command. We still don't have any concrete proof the intruder doesn't plan on snatching the Maou. We need to focus on fortifying the castle guard."
He stopped at the corner where two guards were posted at a door. He ordered them to the post by Yuuri's room and then continued on his way through the rest of the castle. He tried not to react when Conrad jogged up to walk beside him.
The argument which ensued was one Gwendal would never forget and he imagined neither would the maids or the guards or the intruders or even the townspeople in the city below.
