Author's Note: I think this chapter turned out rather well! Thanks to those who gave me a hand with this! This is a little christmas gift for you all!

Disclaimer: Own nothing!


Van, Vandavia Island, Cimaron Territory

A tiny shiver rumbled through the ground beneath his boots in response to his surging emotions, his eyes closed for one long moment, before sliding open again, the dark pupils contracting, becoming dark slits swallowed every speck of light within the iris. His head lifted, shoulders straightening. Instead of reaching for his magic, his hand dropped down to his sword, fingers curling around the hilt, the leather and metal cool against his palm. Morgif hooted softly from where he was sheathed across Yuuri's back, clearly exciting why what was about to happen, though it was clear he wanted to be the sword that Yuuri wielded.

Stepping forwards from where he had been shielded by cool stone, his blade slipped free from its scabbard as he gazed at the two gladiators and the dozen soldiers that had broken the spirit of every single prisoner in their care. The mistreatment of them was horrific and no man deserved that. Yuuri had been treated like that, as if he were little more than the dirt on the sole of someone's boot.

"Is this how you treat those in your care?"The words echoed with that dark hint of magic, his blood roaring with the force of it as he stepped forwards. "By beating them and treating them like animals?"

"What do you think you're doing?" One of the gladiators scoffed, dull brown eyes turning towards him, before glancing away dismissively. "Put that sword away, whelp."

"Yuuri?"

He could hear the familiar slide and snick of metal against metal as a blade cleared its sheath and the soft tread of boots on stone. Yuuri recognised that voice instantly and didn't look to one side knowing that Conrart would be standing, blade drawn beside him.

"I can't let this happen, even if they are pirates. This is beyond barbaric."

"I'm with you, Love." Conrart's response was swift and reassuring, not once questioning the sanity of this particular action, but understanding well the reason behind it. "I can't seem to take you anywhere without you finding some kind of trouble."

"Trouble finds me." Yuuri couldn't help but smile. "But so do you."

Yuuri charged forwards, blade up as Conrart moved in the same rhythm, both men standing shoulder to shoulder as they fought against the two gladiators, driving them back and away as they met them in combat. That was when the entire situation exploded, the Cimaron guards realising that the both men who had challenged them were not the usual breed of swordsman.

Some of the prisoners looked up, their battered faces turning towards the sound of steel meeting steel. Some already beginning to fight against their bonds, hope lighting their eyes. However, just as before, they were subdued with powerful blows from the spears the soldiers were carrying, knocking them down and pulling those in the chain gang down with them.

"Stop it." Yuuri hissed as he finally knocked the gladiator unconscious and went after the soldier who had been beating the prisoners. His blade slashed through the wooden shaft of the spear, his blade turning, the flat of it slamming so hard into the gut of the soldier, the air was knocked out of him. The human crumpled at his feet, but he was already fending off two more human soldiers, his blows however were aimed to incapacitate and not kill. He did not need more blood on his hands this day.

Conrart and Yuuri were soon back to back, each man trusting the other to guard it as they fought off the Cimaron soldiers, their blades singing. Out of the corner of Yuuri's eye he caught a glimpse of something amber flashing in the morning sunshine and a pair of blue eyes. Yozak stood there in the shadows, watching them for a long moment, something like... jealousy flaring in their depths before it was gone, the man disappearing once more as Wolfram barrelled out of the passageway to come to a halt at seeing what Yuuri and Conrart had gotten themselves into.

"What the heck did you do this time?"

"I was wanting some sword practice!" Yuuri yelled back, before he was knocking down another guard. "Free the prisoners!"

"Yuuri, you're insane!"

"Wolf."

"Fine, but it's your insane scheme! Your fault if this fails!"

The Demon King grinned at that, when Wolfram raced forwards, his sword clearing his scabbard and his blade came down hard on a coil of chains that rested on the ground before one of the men. The was a sharp snap, the chains giving way under the power of the younger man's blow, Wolfram was already spinning away as a soldier faced him, defeating the man quickly before going back to his task, while Yuuri and Conrart concentrated on the swarms of guards attempting to stop them.

There was the sound of approaching boot steps, just as the last of the soldiers fell in an unconscious heap at Yuuri's feet. A hand gripped his wrist, tugging him along, pulling him towards the shelter of the alleyways that surrounded the stadium. Yuuri's head lifted and his eyes gazed into the bruised face of one of the prisoners, the man offering Yuuri a grateful smile.

"This way." He rasped, half stumbling forwards, dragging Yuuri along, Conrart barely half a step behind. They were weaving their way through the streets, Wolfram following them, blonde hair whipping back away from his face. "Here!" The man suddenly pushed through a doorway, his body flattening against the wall inside, the three of them entering behind him as the door was pushed shut by a woman behind Wolfram.

"Jonathon?" The blonde haired woman turned to face them, her eyes widening in shock before she let out a cry of joy and flung herself at the man, arms wrapping around his body and burying her face against the beaten man's chest. "I thought...!"

"I'm safe, Miri." The human whispered soothingly, hand pressed against the back of her blonde head. "I'm safe. Thanks to these men." His dark chocolate brown eyes met Yuuri's, offering them all a warm smile. "I don't know what deity blessed me this day with your arrival, but thank you, all of you. The resistance in Van would have been finished without you all. Who sent you to find us? Marcus or Dieter?"

Yuuri opened his mouth, blinked once and shook his head slightly. "I don't quite know what you're talking about."

"You don't..."

"We're just travellers." Conrart said swiftly, his hand lightly grasping Yuuri's arm warmly.

"Well you are a blessing. Most of those you rescued were from Tabonam, prisoners transported from Big Cimaron to here so that they could be made examples of. No one should resist Big Cimaron's might, what trash."

However before they were able to ask more about exactly what he was talking about, there was a rapid sound of staccato foot falls outside the house, soldiers flashing by the window as they flattened themselves against the wall. It was now probably possible that they wouldn't be able to meet the ship they had booked passage on. Yuuri winced at that, knowing that his reckless actions might have cost them, yet as he gazed over at where Miri and Jonathon stood, he knew he hadn't. This was an innocent man, condemned by those who would treat them as the pirates would those women.

The door creaked open and Yozak stuck his head into the gap, his blue eyes glinting with relief. "I've found us a ride, Sire. This way, we have to hurry before they close off the port."

Without another word, they slipped out of the house, the man's thanks echoing behind them, leaving Yuuri wondering exactly what to make of the entire thing.


Conrart, Wolfram and Yuuri jolted to a stop on either side of Yozak and stared at the large dark blue, red and white ship that rested out in the harbour, a smaller boat already heading towards them. There on the bow of the vessel stood a very familiar figure, her long blonde hair whipping around her shoulders in the gentleness of the breeze, coming up off the water.

"Hey, your Majesty!" One elegant arm raised over her head and waved at them, her green eyes sparkling with delight and amusement. "Long time no see!"

"Lady Cecilie?" Yuuri blinked and suddenly flushed as his thumb lightly brushed against the inside of the ring he was wearing.

"Don't be shy, hop aboard!"

"What is Mother doing here?" Wolfram asked softly, blinking in surprise as he continued to stare at the familiar ship sitting out in the deeper waters just off the coast.


Private Yacht, Liberty Love, Cimaron Waters

Yuuri's head tipped back slightly and he gazed around him at the startling opulence of the ship around him, taking in the crystal wear and fine elegant fittings of the large sitting room that rested near the bow of the ship. Tiny gas lamps ran along the wall, their light diffusing to give the room a rather cosy feel to it. Wide windows spanned the room just behind the long length of the red couch, natural light flooding this end of the space.

"Does it seem hot in here?" Yuuri wore a slight flush, his head ducked slightly and turned away from where Lady Cecilie had literally plastered herself up along one side of his body. He really wanted nothing more than to slide across the couch and curl up against Conrart who sat at one corner.

"It's been ages, your Majesty." She paused, a smile brightening her emerald green eyes. One of her long elegant hands curled around one of his own, fingertips lightly rubbing over the ring he wore, her gaze dropping down with interest to it. There was no recognition in her eyes to what it symbolised. "How has it been going with my darling son? Progress on the love front?"

"I'd say." Wolfram grumbled, his pale cheeks suddenly heating as he stared at Yuuri with a slight scowl tugging at his lips. "They've been going at it like... like..." Head tipping upwards, he suddenly couldn't look at either Yuuri or Conrart, his embarrassment clear.

"Oh my." She looked quite pleased about that.

"Love." Conrart offered out a hand to Yuuri, the dark haired Demon King looking positively grateful to slip away from that roving hands and scooted over towards Conrart. The half-breed's large hand curled around Yuuri's, drawing it up to his lips and pressing a kiss against the warm palm, before he laced his own fingers through his lover's.

Even Wolfram looked a little startled by the term of endearment that Conrart had used for Yuuri, but neither man seemed worried by it. The matching pair of rings glittered on both of their left hands, symbolising what they shared together.

Yuuri turned his attention to the beautiful buxom blonde whom was watching them both intently. "I was surprised to see you here in human territory, Lady Cecilie. What brought you to Vandavia just when we needed you?"

"Mother just happened to be on her worldwide tour in the pursuit of free love." Wolfram answered, his green eyes taking in his mother's appeared for a moment.

"I must prepare a nice comfy bed for you, Majesty." Lady Cecilie smiled, before almost wanting to chuckle at the slight scowl that crossed Conrart's features, his hand tightening possessively around Yuuri's. It warmed her heart to know that one of her sons had found true love, especially in someone so warm and caring.

"Mother!"

"This is my ship and I can do anything that I want."

"Yuuri... there is something I need to attend to. Mother, Wolfram, if you would both excuse me." Conrart was pushing himself upwards, his fingertips caressing across Yuuri's cheek lovingly, his mouth finding Yuuri's for a long moment, lingering there. "I'll meet you in our cabin later."

Yuuri only smiled, nodding once as he watched Conrart slip from the room, though his brows drew together in worry over the expression that ran across Conrart's face.


Yuuri silently moved up the steps from the dark corridor below, intent on reaching the outside bow deck when he heard a familiar voice and paused. His body freezing just on the other side of the door that blocked the view of the two men just up along the ship from him. He knew he shouldn't list, every part of him told him he should head back down and move to the other side of the ship, but he couldn't.

"What were you thinking?"

"About what?"

"You knew." Conrart's jaw gritted sharply, his expression showing that he knew that Yozak knew exactly what the 'celebrations' would have been about. "You knew that it was going to be death matches going on in that arena when you suggested it. You knew he would not be able to prevent himself from helping those people..." The thought that his friend had used Yuuri's nature against him like that, knowing the outcome and also knowing the reason why Yozak had planned that, to see if he could force Yuuri's hand when it came to Morgif.

"It all worked out, didn't it? If he received a human life to feed that sword like it said in the book Gunter gave Wolfram, then we would have far more options. Either way though, the King will become immensely popular."

"It might have worked out, but your method..." Hands clenched into fists, Conrart's eyes narrowing on his long time friend, remembering the hand that had curled around his wrist attempting to prevent him from following after Yuuri. The awareness of something that had remained unspoken between them. Yozak's feelings for Conrart.

"In what way was it a mistake? Do you really think it's safe to leave the fate of the Great Demon Kingdom in the hands of that predictable boy? All we have to do is control things from the shadows. It's good for the Kingdom and easier on him. The way he dotes on you Conrart..."

"Yozak." It was a low warning sound.

"The problem with what happened between Stoffel and Lady Cecilie wasn't that she didn't rule personally, but it was that she put her trust in the wrong people. That boy is trusting enough in both of us, it's quite possible to..."

Conrart's fist snapped out so fast that Yozak didn't have time to dodge, it connected so hard with Yozak's jaw that it sent the man sprawling backwards with a hard thump against the wooden decking. The half-breed's jaw clenched in rage, cinnamon eyes swirling with tiny silver stars which flashed in the fading daylight. "I won't let you make him some kind of puppet. Should anything ever happen to him again, Yozak and I know that you are the cause. You can consider yourself a dead man." Conrart stood over Yozak, his expression close to murderous.

"Conrart..." Blue eyes widened slightly as he touched his fingers to his now throbbing jaw, sitting up on the deck he stared at the man before him with shock running across his features. "You..." Yozak had never been struck before by his friend, not in all the years they had been together.

The brown haired half-blood turned away, heading back towards the doorway that led back down into the ship when the voice behind him stopped him in his tracks.

"You've only known him, what... a few weeks at most? You've known me for decades. How can you... love him so much?" Yozak's fingers rubbed at his jaw, before he was finally getting to his feet, his jaw beginning to swell just a little from the hard impact of that fist. " Why was I not good enough? Conrart! Why not me?"

"You're a good man, Yozak, I might not like what you did today, but I do understand your concerns. You've always been a good friend to me." His eyes closed, knowing that this would more than likely remain between them for a while yet, but no matter how much Yozak had cared for him beyond their friendship, he had not been able to return that particular sentiment. However, with Yuuri... Suddenly he stilled, his head lifting from where it had dropped to stare at the deck to face the doorway.

Yuuri.

Yozak jerked at the sound of their King's given name.

The ship rolled a little as it crested another wave and the door to the inside of the ship move from partially open to bang back against the wall. There stood Yuuri Shibuya, his dark hair fanning around his face as his body turned, obsidian eyes meeting Yozak's. Yuuri had heard every word of what Yozak had done or attempted to do.

"Is my heart... so much of a weakness?" The question was croaked, hands fisting at his sides, obsidian eyes shimmering ever so slightly, before it was blinked away and the man straightened. "I trust in you, Yozak."

Betrayal was something Conrart knew Yuuri had suffered far too often in his life, he had heard several of the painful stories about it. "It's not a weakness, Beloved. Your heart is your greatest strength." Conrart was moving towards his lover slowly, the last thing he wanted to do was see Yuuri bolt. For all of Yuuri's strength, there were some parts of his beloved that were still fractured inside.

"I want to believe in people." Yuuri's obsidian eyes stared fixedly into Yozak's vivid blue ones. "I want to be able to trust in their intensions and their loyalties."

"I'm loyal to the Great Demon Kingdom."

"Is everything I do not enough, Yozak, to prove that I am capable of being Demon King?" He regarded the man who had manipulated him for his own desires. "I know I can be a little rash at times. I have my flaws like every other person. However, I do not shirk my duties." If he had not been on that particular ship, he would have been back in the Great Demon Kingdom, learning not only to read and to take on the mantel of King, but also seeking out 'Ulrike' to find some way to control his magic. "I will just keep trying then and maybe someday you'll see... controlling me is not the answer. I want all those around me to work with me to make a brighter future for all of us."

"Your Majesty!" Yozak called out this time, but the dark haired young man had returned to the darkness of the ship below decks.


Deserted Beach

"Are you angry with me, Yuuri?" Conrart dropped to one knee beside his husband, stretching out one hand to lightly caress one cheek and tuck the long raven strands back behind one of his ears gently.

"No." Yuuri sighed, leaning into the touch and resting both arms across the top of his folded up knees. His gaze remained fixed out across the moonlight ocean, his eyes flickering towards the boat anchored in the quiet harbour. "Not with you, my Prince."

Letting out a relieved sigh at that, Conrart was shifting so that he could sit behind his lover, long legs spread on either side of the King, both arms curling around his body and drawing him back against his chest. Chin resting against one shoulder, he pressed a soft kiss to the side of Yuuri's throat, nuzzling the silky skin, grateful to feel Yuuri relax in his grip.

"What happened with Yozak..." Yuuri covered Conrart's left hand with his own, their rings clinking softly together, his fingertips sliding between his husband's. "It just unnerved me to realise how easily things can be manipulated around me without me realising it. I guess I have to be more aware of people and their motives. Blind trust... no matter how much I wish it were possible... can't help me here."

"Yozak will eventually realise the truth about you, my Love." His voice was muffled a little against Yuuri's skin, eyes closing and just relieved that Yuuri was still so willing to talk to him about his worries and what troubled him. "You can always trust me, Yuuri."

"I know I can, my sweet Prince." Eyes drifted closed when he felt Conrart's right hand lift to brush against his throat, the back of those fingers sweeping from collar bone to chin lightly, tracing the line of his pulse. "The one person in the world I can always trust."

Conrart treasured that, holding close those words and feeling them warm his heart even more. "I would never let anyone hurt you, Yuuri. I would die first before I let anyone raise a finger to harm you."

"Do you want to tell people about our marriage?" Yuuri was offering up the choice to Conrart, knowing that their private marriage was still a secret to everyone besides themselves. They had that night also gotten the legal documents for it, their pledge and binding was quite legal and even Gunter would find it hard to dispute the legality of it. "The engagement party is still planned for when we get back... and the wedding will be whenever you would like it. However... no one has to know what we did. It's almost kind of... amusing."

"I would... rather keep this between us." There was something about it, something precious about sharing an intimacy like this between just the two of them. "We eloped."

Yuuri blinked once, before suddenly bursting out laughing, his bright eyes wide with surprise and amusement when he considered Conrart's words and the fact that it could almost be true. "Could you imagine Gwendal's face? Scowling at us... growling about 'reckless behaviour' and God only knows what else." Attempting to smother another burst of laughter. "Gunter would have a fit."

Laughter was silenced by a heated kiss, one that Yuuri turned his head more into, his fingers curling into Conrart's hair, holding their mouths together, the heat spilling through both of them, consuming them in the firestorm of passion.

"I wonder..." Yuuri lightly brushed his fingers through the silky locks of Conrart's hair, teasing the shorter strands at the back. "What you would look like with your hair longer. It's so soft." Rubbing several strands between his fingers, he twisted around in Conrart's arms. Straddling the other man's lap, Yuuri slipped one arm beneath his lover's, tucking himself chest to chest with his lover, feeling strong limbs curve around his own.

"I will let it grow out if you like." His head turned just slightly, enough to capture a finger between his lips and suck on it softly, drawing a heated little moan from Yuuri. It wouldn't take long for his hair to start growing out and he wanted to feel those fingers sliding through it.

"If you don't mind."

One last lick to that fingertip. "Not at all."

"What are you two doing over there?"

Yuuri bit back another laugh as he saw Wolfram standing on the sand just behind them, the boy's face actually quite red from the fact he had caught them in a rather intimate position yet again. "Hello, Wolf, what's up?" His chin rested against Conrart's shoulder, not bothering to remove himself from his rather comfortable position straddling his lover's lap.

"You've been gone for an eternity."

"Did you rush all the way out here to keep tabs on his Highness?" Conrart was chuckling softly. One palm lazily stroked back and forth along his spine, before resting firmly against Yuuri's rear, pulling him just a little closer. The small action alerted Yuuri to the fact that Conrart was hungry for something more than just a cuddle and kisses.

"Oh... I almost forgot!" Wolfram's green eyes widened as he shifted away, heat continuing to suffuse his face. "It's horrible, Yuuri! It's Morgif, Morgif!"


Private Yacht, Liberty Love, Cimaron Waters

A low moaning sigh filled the air as Morgif's mouth distended rather grotesquely.

"Not again." Yuuri sighed softly as he gazed down at Morgif, feeling like he wanted to bang his head against the wall, his fingers rubbing lightly over his face, knowing that he definitely needed sleep considering all that had happened.

"I'm sorry, your Majesty, but it's such a rare object, I couldn't help but pick it up to have a little look at it." Lady Cecilie Von Spitzweg turned to regard Yuuri for one long moment, her fingers curling tightly together, red nails glinting in the cabin light. "I just wanted to look." She said plaintively. "It bit me..."

"Did you start to feel numb or anything like that?" Conrart asked, his expression just as exasperatedly amused as Yuuri's.

"No, but I was so startled I'm afraid I dropped him. The poor thing lost all his vigour. I don't know what happened."

The idea of Morgif, the groaning sword having vigour was strangely spine tinglingly terrifying. Yuuri winced a little, glancing down at the sword for a long moment.

"I suppose it's because this fell out." Cecilie's hand opened and a tiny obsidian sat in the centre of her palm, its dark colour a perfect match for Yuuri's own dark eyes.

"What is it?"

"It was the obsidian affixed to Morgif's forehead."

Yuuri reached out and carefully lifted the stone from Cecilie's out-stretched palm, feeling the sudden jolt of tingling power sliding right up his arm and almost made him drop it. Blinking sharply, he reached out to curl his fingers around Conrart's wrist, thumb resting against the pulse of his lover's heart, using the steady beat to anchor himself in the powerful wash of untapped magic the stone contained. "It's his power source."

"You think the gem is fascinating too, don't you, your Majesty? You can see why I wanted to hold it."

"Yozak." Yuuri's eyes closed tightly, his hand shooting out towards the other half-breed, his shoulders shivering as he felt the powerful arcs of magic burn through his very veins. "Take it."

The amber haired Demon Tribesman's blue eyes widened at the authority in that statement. His hand reaching out towards the white knuckle one of the King, suddenly aware that something was very wrong right at that moment. "Sire?"

"I entrust this stone to your keeping." Through sheer force of will, he was able to unfurl his trembling fingers, the obsidian dropping from his grip and into Yozak's palm as he staggered at the sudden disconnection between himself and what had been the heart of Morgif's power for so long. "I want you to get rid of this stone where no one will ever think of looking for it." His thumb rubbed back and forth against Conrart's pulse point, desperately trying to sooth his own racing heart.

The protective half-breed was allowing his shoulder to rest against Yuuri's, supporting him and allowing him a better grip. Something within him purred softly in contentment over the fact that the first thing Yuuri reached for to anchor himself had been him and not Wolfram, Yozak or Cecilie.

"But why, Yuuri? It will render the sword completely useless!" The blonde noble's frown darkened slightly.

"You should keep it, your Majesty, it would make a fabulous earring. It goes so well with your hair and lovely eyes."

"My original purpose of obtaining Morgif was never to use him in battle, but to bring him back to the Great Demon Kingdom where no more harm can befall those seeking him. He is not a weapon, he is a treasure of the Great Demon Kingdom. That stone..." A shiver rippled up through his entire body. "Is contains an extremely large amount of confined energy. It... was... intoxicating and terrifying."

"Are you sure? What if I sold it to one of the other countries or if I brought this back to our land and gave it to someone other than you?"

"You mean Gwendal?" Yuuri almost wanted to smile at that. "Gwendal agreed with me on this course of action."

"He... what?"

"But if you believe it would benefit the Great Demon Kingdom, than do so. But know that your choices what you do with it, reflect back solely on you. I am placing my trust in you, despite the choices you have made up until this point. I believe you only want to protect our home and the people there as much as I wish to." His eyes met those clear blue ones, both of them knowing that the reason they fought so hard for the Great Demon Kingdom was because they wanted to protect Conrart Weller.

"I accept the appointed task, King Yuuri."


Voltaire Castle, Voltaire Lands, The Great Demon Kingdom

"Your Majesty! Thank goodness you are unharmed!" Gunter was practically squeezing the very life out of Yuuri Shibuya, the lavender haired Demon practically sniffling back his tears.

"Gunter... your nose is running." Yuuri stood there feeling slightly embarrassed by the fact the man was practically clinging to him, though he could feel Conrart's beautiful silver streaked cinnamon eyes narrowing on the Royal Aide.

"Excuse me..." And Gunter rubbed his nose and face against his sleeve, making several sniffling noises as he did so. "Oh, Sire, I saw the incredible inscription on the back of Morgif's sword guard. You are quite masterful, Sire!" Finally Gunter released the stiff Demon King and looked much more composed, though he was quite liable to 'explode' again with his almost outrageous displays of emotion. "Call my name and I will overcome limitations. My name is Willem Du Soliel Eli De Morgif! If I should lose this stone in my brow and become an ordinary blade, I will always remain a faithful servant of the Demon King and will die on the battlefield."

"How on Earth, did you fit all of that on there?" Yuuri mused softly, his head tipping back slightly to regard Conrart as he stepped away from the still rather sniffily Gunter. "Actually... don't tell me. Where was he taken?"

"Morgif will be sealed into the treasure vault at Covenant Castle."

The Demon King nodded slightly, thinking it was finally fitting that Morgif was now back where he belonged and would no longer pose a danger to anyone. However, other thoughts had troubled him for a while and he had yet been able to talk to Gwendal quite yet as the man had been absent when they had returned only a few hours before. "How are things with Cavalcade? Has Gwendal been able to find out more about the movements of magic wielders?"

"Regarding that matter, there's no more need to worry." Gwendal moved down the corridor towards them, his features relaxed and he actually offered them a ghost of a smile. "It is good to see you all returned safely."

"What do you mean, Gwendal, has something happened?" Wolfram's green eyes flickered up to look into Gwendal's face, though the youngest of the three brothers looked positively shocked at the smile on his brother's face.

"A messenger from Cavalcade arrived only moments ago as I was returning myself." Gwendal had returned to the castle the moment of their arrival had reached him. "He came to inform us that the ruler would like to visit out land and be granted an audience with his Majesty."

"Very well, so be it!" Anissina popped up like a jack-in-the-box from just behind Gwendal, scaring literally everyone out of their wits. "After all if he insists, we must oblige. I'll entertain him with my inventions." In her hands sat a rather odd mechanical device that looked remarkably like a fish.

"Anissina, calm down, I'm sure that won't be necessary."

Yuuri almost wanted to laugh at Gwendal's much put upon expression, the man's left eyebrow twitching ever so slightly, indicating that Gwendal and Gunter had both ended up guinea pigs for Anissina in the time they had been away. "Why exactly? That is an extreme change in position..."

"Do you remember how you repelled the pirates who attacked the passenger ship you were travelling on? Well the eldest son of the King of Cavalcade was apparently also on that ship when you were. He eloped with a merchant's daughter, aboard that ship. Apparently he has informed his royal father that he is greatly indebted to you."

Yuuri Shibuya blinked sharply, before glancing back towards Conrart, both eyebrows raised. "You don't think..." Two faces appeared in his mind and he couldn't help but consider them. Beatrice and Mr Heathcrife, he had seen in their eyes no fear of his power, only gratitude for what he had done for them.

"I think it's quite possible, Yuuri, that Mr Heathcrife was indeed the Cavalcadian Prince."

"I do believe that was his name." The charcoal haired Demon nodded.

"Well... what do you know." Yuuri let out a burst of laughter, his hand reaching out to lightly grip Gwendal's forearm, squeezing it softly in thanks and reassurance. "It looks like our problems are mostly sorted after all. I would like to meet the King, it would be a good opportunity to build good relations with our neighbours. However, I defer to your choices for the finer details of the arrangements." The obsidian-eyed half-breed trusted in Gwendal's abilities and he wanted the man to know that. "Thank you for watching over the Kingdom in my absence, Gwendal, you as well Gunter. I'm looking forwards to digging into things back at Covenant Castle."


Covenant Castle, The Great Demon Kingdom

Knocking softly on the door, he was nudging it open with his shoulder as he carried a cup of steaming tea in his hands, carefully cradling the plate where several biscuits of the finer ones he was usually served on it. "Miss Gisela?" His head twisted slightly as he gaze into what could be considered the infirmary for the castle, gazing past the long beds and down to the end where he could see just the hint of the white behind one of the massive shelves that sat there.

"Come in, I'll be with you in a moment." Came the reply, partially muffled by the presence of the shelves.

Yuuri stepped in, making his way through the space, feeling an odd sense of familiarity with this space, an awareness of it that he could now actually put a label to. Julia had been a healer and a close friend with Gisela, it stood to reason that she had spent time in the infirmary at the castle looking after people. "I don't mean to intrude." He settled himself into one of the chairs by the large desk in one corner, carefully setting the plate down. "I bring offerings."

Gisela's green eyes widened in surprise when she turned around and found herself staring into the smiling face of the Demon King who was offering out a cup of hot, sweet tea and biscuits. "Majesty... I..."

"You don't need to be so formal, Gisela. I'm not about to start commanding people." Amusement crossed his features, Yuuri looked content seated there, before offering out the tea again. "Sit with me, drink and have a little break. I was hoping that you might help me with a little issue of mine."

Instantly Gisela was moving forwards, her eyes scanning quickly over every inch of the King, worry creasing her brow. "Are you unwell, Sire... Yuuri...?"

"I'm in good health." Thankfully. It had been so long since he felt at full strength, that the weakness that plagued him at times after his expenditures of mass quantities of magic. "What I was hoping you might assist me with is learning to heal." His fingers wiggled slightly when she finally accepted the tea cup from him. "Apparently I have some skill in it... the problem is... I'm using a sledge hammer to pound in a nail rather than just a small hammer that can get the same job done just as well." Wincing slightly at his own slightly awkward metaphor, he hoped he was clear about the issue that came to his magic.

"You wish for..." A slight flush ran across her cheekbones at that, the tea cup half way to her lips, before she finally lifted it to drink trying to hide her surprise. "There are others far more knowledgeable than I..."

"But no one I would trust me to teach me these skills." His obsidian eyes glittered with veiled emotions, his back straightening, lips pressing together. "I know how to kill." Fingers curled together in his lap at that, guilt darkening his eyes until they were a starless black. "I want to know how to save a life, Gisela. I want to know where my limits are so I don't do something..."

Gisela had gone pale.

"I'm sorry, Gisela. I... I know how Lady Julia died... and I want to prevent that from ever happening again." His hand reached out, large warm fingers curling around one of her cold ones, squeezing it softly. "Please. I want no more to die. I want to heal the wounds of this Kingdom and our people."

Swallowing hard, she gazed down into those intense dark eyes, touched that he would be so concerned by such a thing, but knowing it was just another part of their King, his compassion. "Yes, I would be honoured to teach you."

"Thank you." He sighed in gratitude, before settling back into the chair, his fingers rubbing lightly over his face. "I hope, Gisela, that given time you might consider me a friend."

"I already do, Yuuri." Her slender hand lightly rested against his shoulder softly, squeezing in reassurance. "I appreciate the tea. It was just what I needed." Before her head tipped to the side as she looked down into his slightly flushed face and clearly sensed that there was something else that he wanted to ask for. Awareness suddenly struck her and she couldn't help but smile. Heading back over to the shelving, she reached for one of the oil based salves and drew it down to carefully set it beside Yuuri. "I see things have continued to improve between yourself and Lord Weller?"

Yuuri grinned as he pocketed the vial and his mood immediately lightened at the mere mention of Conrart. "It has." His fingers rubbed lightly over the gold and silver ring, thumb sliding over the smooth surface with a small distracted smile coming to his lips. "More than..." A soft happy sound escaped his throat. "Anyone knows."

"Sire?"

He held a finger up to his lips and shook his head slightly. "A secret."

"Sire..."

Standing from where he had flopped into the chair, he stretched, muscles and joints protesting the movements for only a moment, before he relaxed again. "I am honestly glad I finished what Gunter set out for me earlier at Voltaire Castle and here... and I've already read through the latest reports with Gwendal... meetings, troop deployments... civil works..." And a whole bunch of other things and had finally, finally managed to get an hour or two off before Gunter decided to pounce on him again. Problem was, Conrart was attending to his own duties for the moment leaving Yuuri lonely and seeking someone to talk to and to escape Gunter before the Aide decided to drag him to his etiquette lessons early. He protested nothing else but that. "I admit I actually do enjoy most of the work," Because he actually felt like he was making a difference for all those in the Great Demon Kingdom. "But..."

"Your Majesty!"

Wide obsidian eyes gazed at Gisela pleadingly. "Please, Lady Gisela. Mercy." He breathed out.

"Sire?"

"Two words. Etiquette lessons."

Understanding came to Gisela's face and she offered him a warm smile before gently tugging on his hand and guiding him out to the private door hidden behind the furthest shelf. "This will take you out into the courtyard near the stables."

"Thank you." And he gave Gisela a tight quick hug of thanks before slipping out the door and bolting across the courtyard before Gunter could actually find him and basically drag him into several hours learning which spork to use... Shuddering, he ducked into the stables, several of the horses nickering in response to his presence.

A flash of chocolate brown over the top of one stall had him changing direction and vaulting the door in one swift movement. Strong hands caught him around the waist as he landed, drawing him against a powerful body. "Love? What's the..."

Yuuri silenced Conrart with a heart-stopping kiss, knowing it was the quickest and most effective way of silencing his husband as he tugged him downwards and into the straw. Cinnamon eyes immediately darkened in response to the rather unorthodox treatment, large hands still resting against the small of Yuuri's back.

There was the sound of boots against hay and stone. The top of Gunter's head bobbed past the top of the stall wall, the swish of his cloak moving behind him. "Your Majesty, it's time for your etiquette lessons!"

Both of Conrart's eyebrows lifted at that, his body sprawled against clean straw, Yuuri sprawled over him, straddling his hips. Amusement crinkled the corners of his silver flecked eyes. Yuuri licked across Conrart's lips, a slight frown tugging at his mouth, giving his lover a look that said 'would you like it if it were you?'.

Conrart half opened his mouth to speak, before Yuuri's hand covered over it, giving Conrart a short look. Yuuri knew his lover was teasing him, the smug man, both of them knowing that Conrart really wouldn't give him up to Gunter when they finally had some time together. That mouth however didn't remain still, tongue and teeth rasping softly against the sensitive palm, sending a hot shiver up through Yuuri almost making him groan in response.

The King's hand however dropped south across Conrart's body, suddenly cupping his lover right through his pants, stroking over him hotly through the woollen fabric. Their eyes meeting, obsidian to shocked silvery brown, the pupils were dilating rapidly, Conrart's hips arching a little into the slow caresses.

"Majesty!" Gunter was still there, just beyond the horses and wooden partitions. "Your Highness, where are you?"

"What is all this yelling about?" Gwendal's deep baritone filled the air and cut off Gunter's current 'wail' for Yuuri.

"His Highness is missing."

"Missing as in, trying to escape you and the fact that you finished his last lesson barely half an hour ago? Or missing as in, spending time with my Brother?"

"Or both." Yuuri whispered hotly into Conrart's ear, nuzzling his lover, before sucking once on that earlobe. However, Conrart shifted a touch uncomfortably beneath him. The King was forced to admit, sneaking something more than kisses while Gwendal was around was definitely not going to happen.

Yuuri almost laughed as he tugged at Conrart's hand, moving swiftly forwards and beneath the separating barriers between stalls, keeping his head down and actually managing to get to the door, Conrart just behind him. The soldier's brows were right up into his hairline over exactly what they were doing, but even he couldn't help but smile. It was so silly... both of them half covered in straw, sneaking around in an effort to avoid both Gwendal and Gunter.

Peeking his head out were the last barrier opened up to the main doorway, he glanced towards Gwendal and saw the man's back to him. Pushing himself upwards through the gap, he was scrambling to his feet, straw falling from his clothes in waves, before he was stopping to one side of the doorway. Conrart barely a few feet behind him when...

"HIGHNESS!"

The sudden call had him staring wide eyed at Gunter and backing up several steps, a protest actually about to come out of his mouth that time. The back of his calves suddenly thumped hard against one end of a large water trough. His arms actually flailed, his obsidian eyes wide as he tipped over backwards.

With a loud splash, he was submerged completely, his hands scrambling to find purchase on the sides of it, however it was smooth. The water shimmered as his magic ignited with his momentary panic. Large hands were reaching down for him, Conrart's palms brushing against his sides, when he felt the familiar pull sucking at him, but this time he wasn't the only one going somewhere. The draw on Conrart's hands was enough to suck the soldier downwards into the water with an even larger splash...

The vortex swirled around both of them, dragging them downwards into the watery void.

Sometimes magic was not a good thing to have.


Hehe XD They aren't going back to Earth XD I always wanted to write that scene when Yuuri first arrives in the Tomb of the Great One XD Yuuri was capable of 'vortex travel' in later series within the alternative world. Why couldn't it happen by accident now since the Great One promised not to send Yuuri back to Earth. Wonder where Conrart mind end up on this trip. LOL