Author's Note: This chapter hints at a lot of different things to come.
Disclaimer: Own nothing!
Hope you all like it!
Covenant Castle, The Great Demon Kingdom
Footsteps pounded against the hard stone of the corridor, bouncing through the long corridors of the castle.
Gwendal suddenly jolted when he abruptly sensed a presence to one side of him, his grip tightening around the hilt of the sword that rested before him, chin jerking around to stop at the sight of Conrart standing there in the corridor where moments ago nothing had been.
"It's reassuring to see the great Lord Von Voltaire standing guard himself at the doors of the King's chamber."
"I was already making the rounds." Though Gwendal relaxed slightly, his blue eyes sweeping over his brother's face and offering him a small smile.
"How is he?" Conrart knew there was still a lot to be done that night, but couldn't help the sick feeling that swam around in his gut.
"Restless." Gwendal's head turned towards the main door to the King's chambers, though his brow did knit together for a moment over the fact that it was surprisingly quiet within, when for quite some time he could hear the soft sound of feet pacing across stone. "Though he might have finally fallen asleep."
Conrart let the bottled up tensions lowly drain out of him, his fingers slowly beginning to uncoil from around the hilt of his sword. "The attacks were apparently not those of ordinary robbers, nothing was taken from the victims." He moved towards the door, hand lightly resting against the wood, surprised by the fact that he would hesitate to open it. His hand dropped down, curling around the knob, grasping it firmly.
"I don't like this situation."
Conrart twisted it, pushing the door open and stepping into the room lit only by the warming glow of the fire. His cinnamon eyes turned towards the bed, hoping to find Yuuri curled amongst the blankets, but it was empty. The sheets and blankets only pushed back on his side of the bed where he had been resting earlier while Yuuri had been reading one of his 'by touch' books that he seemed to favour over written texts.
"Love?" Stepping further into the room, he scanned the space, listening for one long terrifying heartbeat for the sound of Yuuri moving about the vast space.
Silence.
"Gwendal." His voice cracked, his body already beginning to turn, fear screeching through every part of him. "Gwendal! He's not here."
"What?" The older of the brothers stepped into the space, taking in the lack of a King and turned startled eyes onto Conrart. "I checked myself no more than ten minutes past. He was here." A finger pointed to a spot before the vast windows. "Damn." Gwendal was already out in the hall, shouting for the pair of guards to come quickly...
"What's all the yelling about?" Yuuri stood in the corridor, obsidian eyes blinking slightly at the brothers in confusion. "You'll wake the whole castle at this rate."
"Yuuri..." Conrart's relief was palpable, his cinnamon eyes softening at the sight of his confused lover standing there in the light of one of the torches in one of Conrart's own uniform jackets, a sword belted at his waist. A dozen quick strides had him at his lover's side and his arms immediately coiled around Yuuri tightly, practically lifting the smaller man right off his feet with that one action. The half-breed buried his face into the curve of Yuuri's neck and throat, relief flooding through him. "Love... my Love." His murmured words were hoarse, his gloved hands clenching into the fabric of his lover's clothes.
"I'm happy to see you too, Conrart." Yuuri was finally settled back on his feet, the man tipping his head back slightly to gaze up into Conrart's eyes. "I was waiting for you... I told the guards. There were two with me at the stables... that was where I thought you would most likely come first..." A wry smile tugged at his lips. "I was hoping to be there to greet you." He lifted the thermos upwards from where it was tucked into one of his pockets. "But you went straight up the main steps before I could reach you."
He couldn't form words for a short while, just soothing himself with the fact that Yuuri was tucked into his arms, safe and unharmed. "I wasn't here ten minutes ago, Gwendal. I've been gone at least half an hour."
They all stilled at that, two pairs of eyes falling on Gwendal and they all became aware of the fact that it honestly hadn't been Yuuri in their bedchamber. The oldest of the former Maou's sons bowed his head slightly and gritted his teeth together at the fact that he had made such an error. "I will see to this at once. For now, it is best if you remain with his Majesty, Conrart."
"We can sleep in your old quarters." Yuuri tipped his head back slightly, pressing a kiss against Conrart's jaw. "I've had them kept as they were." He was exhausted and nestled himself closer in against his lover's large warm body, cheek resting against the broad chest. "Tell us if you discover anything Gwendal."
With a nod from the charcoal-haired Demon, they were moving off down the corridor.
Yuuri tipped his head up and felt the warmth of the morning sun slanting down over his face, his eyes drifting closed for one long moment, relaxing as he lifted his arms outwards and sighed. It felt good to be in the morning air, though still a touch cold, it felt good against his hot skin. His morning had definitely started off on a rather nice note, waking to find himself in Conrart's arms, the man still sleeping peacefully when he had risen for the morning. He couldn't blame his beloved for his exhaustion, the night before had been tense for all of them.
"Nothing beats..."
"The smell of fresh morning air." Conrart finished, his long strides easily drawing him to Yuuri's side, his lips curving into a smile at the sight of his husband.
"I thought you might sleep a little longer this morning, Love, last night was wearing on all of us." However, he was moving forwards, his hand lifting up to slide through the soft strands at the back of his lover's neck and drew his head down. Mouth finding that warm, welcoming one, he lapped across his lover's lower lip, before slipping inside and deepening the contact with a groan of pleasure. It was a long minute before he pulled back, both of them almost swaying from the intensity of the kiss. "I'm just about to head out for my morning run."
"I'm coming with you." Conrart responded, expression intent.
"I welcome the company." Stretching slowly and spreading out his arms, he twisted around slightly, his sword clinging in its sheath. He had become quite comfortable with its permanent weight at his side, knowing it gave many comfort to know he was armed outside of his bedchamber. "Maybe when we get back we can do a little sword practice."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Morning practice, sparring, a leisurely breakfast and a hot bath." His mouth turned upwards into a smile as he watched Conrart slide into the hot bath beside him, the smaller more private pool having become a favourite of theirs, especially for other activities. Guards and maids alike knew never to disturb them when they were in there unless it was a literal life and death situation. "This is definitely my favourite type of morning, one I get to spend with you."
"Love."
Yuuri's head twisted slightly, gazing up into those silver streaked cinnamon eyes that watched him with a darkening interest. "Are you still hungry?" A grin broke out across his face when he felt the first caress of fingers against his thigh, the slow stroke running up along his spine and making him shiver slightly.
"Starving." The soldier's powerful frame stood waist high in the slightly milky green water of the mineral bath. It was quite obvious as he hovered close to Yuuri exactly how much he desired his King.
"I think so am I." Yuuri's hands lifting pressed against Conrart's chest, pushing the man backwards lightly, urging him to sit on the edge of the bath, exposing that wet hardness while Yuuri stood between his knees. Both palms stroked across thighs and knees, urging them apart a little more, enough that when he slowly sank to his knees in the water, his shoulders could rest between them.
Before Conrart could make a sound, Yuuri's mouth had curled itself around the head of that painfully hard erection, tongue slowly drifting around the firm flesh. Teeth tugging at it, he began a slow slide, mouth moving down an inch along that length, sucking hard as his head pulled back, teeth scraping over the velvety skin. Inch by inch, he was swallowing Conrart whole, feeling hands tangle into his wet hair, he practically purred as they caressed across his scalp. The low vibrations touched the tip of that length as it touched the back of his throat when he managed to relax and take him all in.
A husky groan escaped the half-breed, his head dropping back, lips parted as he enjoyed what his lover was doing to him, that tongue slicking and hot as it tormented him. One slender fingered hand touched against his balls, cupping them and squeezing, thumb teasing along the sensitive skin behind them. Conrart jolted, thrusting a little back into Yuuri's mouth, but knowing all he could really do was hold on for the hot ride his lover was giving him.
"...Yuuri..."
Yuuri smiled around what he had in his mouth, beginning to pick up speed in his movements, sucking even harder every time he reached the tip, tasting the hot sweetness of his lover on his tongue. A few more well placed jerks of his mouth and liquid fire spilled out of Conrart, sliding down the back of his throat as he swallowed with a moan of his own. His body was vibrating with its own hunger. Conrart had come with a roar, his head thrown back, eyes almost a pure dark silver in his pleasure.
Conrart was still painfully hard despite his release, his hand catching Yuuri's jaw and drawing his lover upwards as he slipped into the water. Their mouths met in a hot heated tangle, Conrart tasting himself on his lover's tongue with a hungry groan.
The King was spun, body forced to bend as Conrart held him, almost unbalanced for a moment until his hands shot out to rest against the edge of the bath. A whimper of delight escaped him as an ankle locked around his own, spreading his legs and that hot length pressed intimately against the underside of his own as his lover shifted in closer.
"Mine." Conrart's hands were moving along the length of Yuuri's body in heated caresses that left him trembling. A mouth touched against the sensitive junction between neck and shoulder, biting down playfully, tongue sliding across the spot. One hand palmed Yuuri's own length, able to close all the way around it and the calluses on Conrart's sword hand moved roughly over the silky smooth flesh of his erection.
Hips lifting and arching backwards, he eagerly surrendered to his lover, body vibrating with need, always starving for the feeling of these familiar hands on him. Conrart's free hand ran from his navel and circled slowly upwards to brush across one nipple, flicking it, before two fingers caught the bud and pinched. Yuuri cried out, body shivering as the action was repeated again, both nipples throbbing ever so slightly before being stroked, the pad of a finger sliding back and forth over it.
"Say it." The soldier hissed into one of Yuuri's ears, nipping at the lobe and brushing his tongue over the sensitive shell. It was in a moment like this that Conrart could find the last little bit of reassurance he craved, his heart beating wildly in anticipation. "Tell me who you belong to."
"You." Yuuri's hips arched restlessly again, groaning as that hot length stroked and rubbed back and forth against his perineum. "I belong to you. I love you." Fingers curled against the damp stone, nails biting into it.
It was a powerful claiming, one that had Yuuri crying out, his voice echoing through the space when he was suddenly filled by his lover, the burn eased by the water, but the friction had him arching helplessly. Head thrown back, he gasped as Conrart penetrated him so deeply, his sweetspot practically burning as he drove again and again into Yuuri, hands continuing to stroke and torment him. Their bodies moved together, Yuuri pushing backwards, welcoming the invasion, muscles clenching tightly around Conrart.
"Damn." Conrart groaned, his cheek pressing against Yuuri's shoulder, lips tickling against his throat in tiny desperate kisses. "I love you." The words were soul-felt, raw with so much passion that spilled over from deep within the half-breed.
His hands dropped away from Yuuri's chest and just gripped his hips holding him as he took him roughly. With each thrust, his length burned a heated path through unprepared muscles, making Yuuri twist in his grip, body bucking back helplessly. This was unlike their usually more slow joinings. Emotions were strung tight through both for different reasons, but it was in this moment where they could express them with no barrier between them.
Heat swelled through them both, trembling and frantic to fall over that edge, their movements no longer timed.
Conrart exploded first, his body releasing a wave of burning fluids deep within that tight body, hips pressed firmly against that tight rear. His hand curling around Yuuri's and jerking him off between calloused fingers and Yuuri fell too, their voices mingled in the space, muscles clenching and draining Conrart completely.
It was only Conrart's stubborn strength that kept them both on their feet, both arms sliding around Yuuri and hugging the man tightly to him, not withdrawing from that warm body. Damp sweat slicked hair cling to his face and nape, his breath hot as it fanned across Yuuri's ear. "I love you." Tongue flicking over the shell of it, he bit down lightly, their cheeks brushing, before he squeezed the smaller man lightly, their bodies fitting together perfectly. "I love you so much, Yuuri. If anything were to happen to you..."
"Nothing will, my Prince." Yuuri's hand rested over one of Conrart's arms, leaning back into him and smiling softly.
Yuuri and Conrart remained like that, bodies still entwined below the water, Conrart's arms coiled tight around his husband, content to remain there forever if he could.
Suddenly there was a clatter of boots against stone.
"Your Majesty!" Gunter came barging through the doorway, cloak flapping behind him as he came. "Majesty, there's trouble! Serious trouble!" He stood there at the edge of the bath, his face which was already flushed slightly from his head long run turned a brilliant red as he realised his first mistake of intruding on Yuuri Shibuya's bath.
Conrart's entire body had stiffened, his cinnamon eyes narrowing sharply on the royal aide, the colour quickly beginning to swirl with silver sparks as his eyes met Gunter's and he knew the man was looking at Yuuri. His lover was flushed with satisfaction and the heated loving they had just shared, but also Gunter could see the scars, the ones Yuuri hid from the rest of the world, besides Conrart. The marks that showed the years of beatings he had endured because of his sexual orientation, the marks of betrayal he had suffered at the hands of those he had trusted.
For once Yuuri's face showed a spark of anger towards Gunter, his jaw clenching. Where usually he was easy going and could easily forgive things perpetrated by those around him, his baths with Conrart were well known to be off-limits and their privacy respected. "You will wait outside in the hall, Lord Von Christ, Conrart and I will be with you shortly."
Gunter paled, his body jerking back at the tone that was directed at him, knowing that his perusal had not gone unnoticed, by either man or the fact that he had seen the scars.
"In future you will respect our privacy and wait outside the door. We can hear you well enough from there." Yuuri brushed his fingertips across Conrart's jaw softly, kissing the man's mouth softly as Gunter rapidly retreated, knowing exactly what he had walked in on.
"My apologies, Sire..." Gunter rapidly retreated out through the doorway.
"We should invest in more doors." Yuuri grumbled softly.
"This way, Sire." Gunter was still a touch pale as he regarded the King and Conrart with a wary glance.
"Now I know where they put all the doors." Yuuri mused softly, his anger finally evaporating when he felt fingertips stroking softly against the small of his back and his head tipped back to gaze into Conrart's troubled expression. He took a moment as he stood on the landing of the massive chamber to study every inch of the vast space that resided under part of Covenant Castle and was surprised by just how many things were down there. "These are all treasures?"
"They are national treasures, Sire, passed down through the Great Demon Kingdom. The spoils of war taken by successive generations of Demon Kings as well as offerings from the lands with whom this Kingdom has exchanged gifts and political favours."
"Quite impressive." He glanced back with a smile to spot Wolfram and the guards who had joined them as they entered the massive treasure vaults of Covenant Castle.
"This object here is a rarity that the twelfth Demon King had carved by the greatest sculptor in the land." Gunter gestured to a large Beckoning Cat who stood as tall as Wolfram, looking quite ridiculous amongst the other trinkets and items that filled the space.
"Gunter." Conrart's reply was sharp.
"I apologise." He hurried forwards, not wanting to put himself any more into disfavour with the King. He stopped before where a bejewelled crown sat atop a velvet support, long trails of beads were woven down and around the length of it. "Just look at this!"
Yuuri could immediately see what was wrong. Where a gem should be rested in the forefront of the crown, a teardrop space was void of anything but a well crafted space to hold it. His brows drew together as he sniffed the air, surprised to find that this part of the room didn't smell like the rest of the space they had moved through, the musty, stale air seemed to be filled with a touch of smoke and the acrid tang of burnt materials.
"The gem of the Dragon King!" Wolfram was shocked by its absence.
Yuuri however was already stepping towards it, his hand reaching out to lightly touch the metal around where the gem had been pried loose from its tiny curved claws that held it in its setting. It felt surprisingly undamaged. "Whoever did this had the proper tools for the job. It wasn't just pried loose with any old chisel."
"Who was the first to spot it?" Conrart questioned one of the guards, his lips pressed together and his expression grim. First the shadows that had found their way into the King's very chamber under Gwendal's nose and now the gem was missing.
"A moment ago, while we were out on patrol we discovered that the door was unlocked. The lock hadn't been forced. We entered the chamber to investigate and we found it like this."
Wolfram let out a growl of anger, launching himself forwards and seizing one of the guards by his uniform front. "You lazy fool! How could you let something like this happen on your watch?"
"That is enough!" It was Yuuri hand which gripped Wolfram's wrist, squeezing once and telling the boy to calm down or face Yuuri's own anger over the mistreatment of the soldier. "Release him at once, Wolfram. There is no need to treat the guards like this, they reported this incident immediately."
Wolfram immediately released him. Hands on hips and cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment over letting his anger get the better of him.
"I do not think the two events are linked." Conrart added softly. "Why would they be seen in the King's chambers and also only take this one gem when there are so many others that they could have taken."
"Does anyone else smell that?" Yuuri's head turned slightly, sniffing the air again and inhaling, definitely catching the whiff of smoke that lingered in the air. It seemed so out of place.
"Majesty?" Gunter blinked slightly, his lavender eyes gazing into Yuuri's own.
"Smoke and something... acrid." Brows coming together, he offered Gwendal a small smile when the nobleman appeared amongst the others who had surrounded him. "You have already started questioning the servants and guards about any activities spotted around here?"
"Yes, Majesty." Gwendal's lips were pressed into a thin line, his navy blue eyes dark with guilt and concern. "Sire... if you would permit me to continue..."
Now it was Yuuri's turn to blink at the sudden change in Gwendal's usual manner towards things. Stepping towards Gwendal, his hand reached out to lightly rest against one broad shoulder lightly, letting the heat from his hand soak into the green wool. "Last night..."
"I made a mistake, Sire, one that could have cost you and my Brother..." Jaw clenching, his back stiffened and he looked as if one hard tap would shatter him. "I was charged with your protection."
"And I'm perfectly fine." The stress of everything had been getting to them all, last night's infiltration of the castle, the preparations for one of the largest celebrations of the Demon Kingdom had yet seen to celebrate the engagement of Yuuri to Conrart. Also the private matter concerning Adalbert still weighed heavily on the minds of the royal pair...
"Your Majesty... the scars..." Gunter's lavender gaze fixed on Yuuri's dark jacket and what the long sleeves of it hid.
"Scars?" Gwendal's expression darkened.
"We need to focus on the gem." Conrart interrupted.
Yuuri's obsidian eyes closed and he let out a sigh of relief when he felt the fingers of Conrart's hand slowly lace through his own, warm and comforting. "Indeed, Gwendal, if you can continue your questioning of the staff, the rest of us can examine the treasury and make sure that nothing was missed."
Yuuri let out a quiet sigh, stretching his arms slightly, almost letting out a groan when fingers dug into tightly knotted muscles in his shoulders from stooping over so much. Thumbs worked across his shoulderblades, fingertips digging in above his collarbones, rapidly working out the stress and strain. His head dropped forwards, a soft moan of pleasure escaping him while his black hair framed his face. "Have I ever told you how talented your fingers are?"
"You have on occasion." Conrart smiled, dipping his head to drop a tiny kiss just to the side of his lover's throat before allowing his hands to drop away from his lover. "For a variety of different reasons."
"You're hired." Smiling over his shoulder in return, he rubbed a palm against the back of his neck, some of the stress sliding out of him at just those simple few moments under Conrart's touch. "I think I could definitely use someone like you. You not only give wonderful massages... but you also can act as a bed warmer... and..."
The half-breed chuckled softly before returning to his task with a shake of his head and grin on his lips, leaving Yuuri once more to his examination of a variety of items, hoping to discover a clue amongst them.
Suddenly Yuuri jerked back with a hand covering his mouth and nose as a rather awful stench wafted up from a box he had been examining. "What is that stench?"
"Oh, hey, would you look at that! This is a specialty of the Rochefort District." The guard beside Yuuri lifted up what appeared to be a frog of some description, clearly dead and clearly old. "It's an ultra-rare gourmet delicacy."
"I think I'll pass." Yuuri remarked dryly. He turned to regard the royal aide who was examining boxes set along the shelves behind him. "Have you discovered anything, Gunter?"
"No tangible clues yet." Gunter reached up for a box, both hands closing around the dusty container as it sat on the top shelf of the cupboard. As it was drawn forwards and tipped towards him, something golden slipped down from where it had been resting on top of the box and straight down onto Gunter's head. Immediately the man set the box back, his hands dropping to his scalp, touching the band that was now firmly settled onto his head. "What is this? I can't get it off!"
Yuuri blinked sharply.
"How about this?" One of the guards lifted a blue scroll up from where it had been dropped on the floor and knocked to one side.
"What is it?" Yuuri asked softly, gazing down at what the guard held.
"It appears to be some kind of document."
The fact was, through all his examination of the texts in the room, nothing looked as fresh or clean as this particular document did. "Good work." Yuuri reached out a hand for it, nodding once when he accepted it and gestured for the guard to continue searching.
"Your Majesty!"
Yuuri turned around completely towards Gunter, both raven brows lifting as his fingers curled a little more fully around the scroll. "What is troubling you, Gunter?" The King approached his aide, blinking slightly over the fact that he appeared to be playing tug-of-war with a circlet of golden metal which apparently seemed glued into place. "Gunter?"
Suddenly Gunter clutched his head, groaning in pain as Yuuri stopped beside Gunter. The man rasped out several more sounds of pain before retreating away from Yuuri, literally kneeling in the corner of the filthy space. "Your Highness, please wait." The man fought hard with the object, but was losing rapidly against it.
Immediately his earlier anger at Gunter dissolved away completely in the face of his obvious pain, while he moved towards the man again. "What is it, Gunter?"
Suddenly the man was groaning rather dramatically and fled away from Yuuri as if his head was about to explode, disappearing around the corner of one shelf and vanished behind it.
"Gunter?"
"Please... stand back!" Gunter looked... pathetic. "Whenever your Majesty approaches, my head..." His fingers tugging at the object still wedged on top of his head.
"Go see Anissina and summon Gisela." Yuuri ordered the man, knowing that knowing Gunter, he would attempt to combat this on his own. Even though Anissina was... dangerous at the best of times, she still would know far more about such things than anyone else in the castle and wouldn't stop until she had freed Gunter.
"Yes... Sire." Gunter fled the room, his wail echoing behind him.
"Karma?" Conrart questioned when he stepped up beside Yuuri, both of them watching Gunter Von Christ's rather loud departure from the room.
Yuuri shook his head but couldn't help a wry smile at that. "Quite possibly." Before his attention turned towards the scroll still in his hand and he lifted it up, fingering the binding around it. Carefully unravelling it, he was spreading out the length of it and let out a sound of irritation as he stared at the familiar symbols but was unable to make it out due to the handwriting involved. He still preferred reading using the raised script because it felt surprisingly natural to him, but he offered it to Conrart, hoping he would have better luck reading it.
Wolfram moved over to join them.
Both Wolfram and Conrart stiffened after reading for several moments.
"What does it say?"
"It's an... IOU from Mother... for the gem." Conrart answered after thinking of how to explain it in terms Yuuri was familiar with, both brothers however were embarrassed over the entire matter.
"Well at least there is no need to panic about the gem now." Yuuri shook his head and let out a quiet sigh. "Though hopefully we can have it returned soon, I think Gunter will drive himself mad knowing it's away from the castle." Turning to Samuel as the grey-eyed guard appeared at his call, the man accepted the scroll. "Take this to Gwendal, and if you see Lord Von Christ, please inform him as well that the Gem is apparently with Lady Cecilie. Though I wonder how Cecilie got the gem out of the castle..."
"At once, Sire."
Yuuri brushed at his hair, a fine cloud of dust exploding outwards from his hair and he coughed a little. Sliding off his jacket, he shook it, watching as a second larger cloud erupted from it. This was quite embarrassing, but he didn't feel like attempting to wash dust out of his hair, it would more than likely stick to it rather than come out. Rubbing his fingers through his raven locks, he freed most of it before leaning against the base of the statue out in the gardens.
A tingle raced through him as awareness struck.
Yuuri stilled, his back to the gardens as his hand dropped down to the hilt of his sword, curling around the leather and metal. Most weren't aware of the fact he was almost as good as Conrart when it came to wielding it, thoughts outside of the castle were definitely not aware of it and more than likely expected his was just for show. Conrart had sensed it too. The warrior having drifted away from him, having murmured something about bringing them tea, but he knew he was nearby. Conrart didn't coddle him. It was one thing he thanked Shinou for, Conrart knew his abilities and allowed him to fight when the situation allowed.
Suddenly from the bushes, several black clad men who could only be described as ninjas filled the garden before him, at least three of them, clearly intent on kidnapping or killing him as they had more than likely planned to do the night before.
"Yuuri!" The sound of Conrart's voice stirred him into action.
Conrart's blade flashed in the warm afternoon sunshine, coming at them from behind as Yuuri drew his own blade. They had them pinned between them, determined to find out exactly who they were and their purpose. The ninja's responded in kind, two going after Yuuri clearly not realising that Conrart was more than likely the bigger threat.
His blade sung as he parried the first few blows that were turned on him, meant to stun him as they used the flats of their swords, but he gave them no quarter, deflecting their attacks with practiced skill. He and Conrart shared a look, both men actually grinning as they fought together, driving the three men towards each other.
The ninjas were quickly coming to realise that they had ended up misjudging Yuuri completely and so they began to hurriedly retreat. All of them shifting back and away, one fleeing up somehow onto the statue of the angel, their acrobatic skills quite impressive. The lead ninja whistled, a sharp call...
The two other ninjas were rapidly approaching the first, the leathery flap of wings drew Yuuri's attention to the members of the Flybone tribe who were coming in over the walls. Picking the closer of the two to him, he charged, the flat of his blade sweeping around with such force that it knocked the air out of the man's lungs as it slammed hard against his stomach doubling him over.
Conrart's hand came down against the back of the man's neck, sending him to ground, just as the other two vanishing upwards and over the walls through the aid of the 'bonies'. The man sagged into unconsciousness on the paving stones between Yuuri and Conrart, both of them scowling down at him.
Gwendal sat at the table, his jaw clenching, the planes of his face were illuminated by the flickering oil lamp that rested on the table beside him. His fingers curled, a cold burn of anger surging through him over the fact that once more these worthless beings had gotten past his well trained soldiers. "So this was the only one you were able to catch?"
Frowning slightly, he nodded once. Yuuri not wanting to risk the use of his magic in bringing down the other two.
"Scum, confess, who put you up to this?" Wolfram's palms slammed down onto the edge of the table before the unmasked man, green eyes blazing with that hot temper of his.
The man flinched away, his jaw gritting together, clearly not about to say anything, though his eyes flickered between the stoic, cold face of Gwendal Von Voltaire, to the openly hostile Wolfram and then to the deadly calm of Conrart Weller. No matter how dangerous Gwendal looked at the moment, everyone knew it was Conrart Weller who was the most vicious, especially when it came to someone even thinking about harming Yuuri.
Yuuri was by the doorway, silent and still, not interfering when it came to this interrogation. Every person in that room knew he wouldn't allow them to torture or kill this ninja. He would answer for his crime, but he would not die for it. Gunter stood against the wall near the window, his back to everyone, his head against the cool stone looking utterly miserable, but needing to be there to protect their King.
"I have no regrets killing you here and now for what you attempted to do." Conrart's voice was a low silky threat, his cinnamon eyes a stormy silver, glinting in the light and sparking with hatred. However, he didn't move from where he leaned against the wall to one side of the table, arms crossed over his chest. The lion within Conrart was snarling a warning, his expression harsh and unyielding.
"Unless you confess now to everything." Gwendal was attempting to prevent the dirty blonde haired soldier from practically wetting himself with fear as he glanced towards Conrart.
"I... I can't..." He breathed, eyes immediately darting back towards Conrart the moment the man began to push himself off the wall.
"Brother, give him another chance." It was Gwendal that acted as the soothing influence, or at least pretended to. His dark blue eyes studying Conrart's face and knowing that Conrart was more than willing to end this man's life for attempting what he had. "Is it not our King's way to grant mercy to those who are honest?" One brow lifted towards Yuuri.
Conrart's sword scrapped against the inside of its scabbard as it was slowly beginning to be withdrawn from it. The razor sharp edges of it catching in the light and making their prisoner jerk back in awareness that there was an actual threat present.
"I confess!" The man suddenly jabbered, eyes wide and staring at that blade in fear. "I came here on Lord Von Spitzweg's order."
That surprised Yuuri, his dark eyes catching the glint of emotion that stormed through Conrart's features at that, seeing the stiffening of Gwendal's back.
"So it was Stoffel." Gwendal remarked to clarify it to all in the room.
"He simply wishes to meet the new Demon King, its his desire to convey a personal message to him."
"If he wants an audience with his Majesty, he should go through the proper channels."
"The truth is, his Excellency wishes to speak with him alone."
"So he wishes to speak with the King without any of us present."
"I wouldn't do that." Yuuri's voice was soft, when he stepped away from the wall, his raven locks framing his troubled features as he made his way over to Conrart, resting a comforting hand against his beloved's chest soothingly. "Not when it comes to Stoffel."
"He wants to get into your good graces to reclaim his..."
"I would never allow such a thing to happen." His jaw gritted, well knowing the story from more than just Conrart and Gisela, but also managing to get it out of several others that had been present during that period in the Great Demon Kingdom's history. "His greed has cost this Kingdom enough already. However..." His fingers lightly pressed against his forehead lightly, gesturing for both Gwendal and Conrart to follow him out of the room.
Out in the corridor the two men stood before Yuuri, both actually waiting to hear his views on the matter before voicing their own.
"We cannot openly pursue him over this, no matter what that man in there tells us, it is not solid evidence against Stoffel. Testimony can be corrupted, people bribed to say anything." Twisting around, he ran his hand through his hair, knowing that the event scheduled only two days hence would definitely not let any of them relax for even a moment. "Stoffel has been invited to the engagement ball because he is the head of the house of Spitzweg."
"The other matter?" Conrart questioned softly, eyes reflecting his concern about everything that had been occurring and also the news that had recently arrived only that morning.
Yuuri sighed, his eyes closing for a moment and he leaned a little more heavily into Conrart's body as he knew that Gwendal's reaction would probably downright explosive to what Yuuri had done.
"Other matter?" Gwendal looked quite ready to explode, or at least have smoke come pouring out of his ears. Between the missing gem and discovering it was his mother responsible, the two attempts to kidnap Yuuri by the ninjas within the castle grounds and the arrangements made for the engagement ball... this was probably definitely not what he needed to hear.
"This morning, a letter arrived from Lord Von Grantz. You are probably aware of the fact he visited here a short while ago, it was during that time I had several discussions with him over his son and Adalbert's actions to date."
"What about Adalbert?"
"He will be arriving in time for the engagement ball, he was invited as part of the Von Grantz family. He knows the truth about my soul."
"What?"
"Adalbert knows that my soul was once Lady Suzanna Julia Von Wincott's." Yuuri's dark eyes met those of Gwendal Von Voltaire for one long heartbeat, his jaw clenching slightly. "It was by the grace of Shinou that her soul was to become that of the next Demon King."
Gwendal's expression was startled, before his eyes fixed on Conrart, "You of this?" Then the nobleman actually jolted back a step, actually coming to a sharp conclusion. "You carried Julia's soul to Earth?"
"Yes." Conrart remarked softly, his fingertips softly brushing against Yuuri's dark hair, his lips touching softly against his lover's temple. He inhaled the sweet fragrance that clung to his skin, the mix of herbs and that hint of something all Yuuri's own. "However, it is not because its Julia's soul within Yuuri that I love him. Yozak thought as much and learned quickly that it's not true."
"That... explains much." Gwendal rasped, remembering Gunter's comments about the fact that even though their King could speak perfectly, he was still struggling with written version of their language where the touch script was easily read. "However... do you both realise exactly what you've done? Adalbert is a..."
"A man who lost the woman he loved. A man who could find no reason for her death." Yuuri sighed softly, eyes closing for a moment, wishing that he could stop the swirl of emotions that burned so fiercely within his gut. "She accepted her path, accepted and felt no regret over her actions. However, I'm not so fortunate." One hand clenched into a fist. "Adalbert Von Grantz lost the woman he loved so that I could be born, it matters to me... it matters that he is still unhappy. However, he is also destroying swiftly any chance we have of finding peace with countries like Svelera."
It had been a Sveleran village that had attacked one of their own during the first part of Yuuri's time in the Great Demon Kingdom, the drought in the country greatly worrying Yuuri. Also whispers had come to his attention of women and members of the Demon Tribe who were being persecuted by the humans and were held in hard labour camps. It had to stop.
"Though Cavalcade stands as allies, others still see us as a military threat to them. I do not want war, I will never sanction it." His expression showed the fact that he was looking at matters that were far bigger than just personal when it came to Adalbert Von Grantz. "Adalbert isn't evil, no matter what he did at Vellandenberg, I saw the worry in his eyes over the plight of the human villagers. We all know of the suffering of that village... the starving children." Sighing softly, he rubbed his face with one palm. Closing his mouth, he wouldn't continue on about that particular issue, it wasn't the time and place. There was time yet and hope that an open dialogue could be started with the rulers of Svelera. Yuuri could not ignore the suffering of so many for too much longer, especially not when there could be innocent women and children involved.
"I have reasons for what I've done, Gwendal, I will explain them in time, but not now. Right now... we need to consider what is to be done about Stoffel."
I have deviated a bit from the anime in some regards to accommodate things that are in the changed plot line, for example the Engagement Ball, (I've honestly wanted to do that for ages). Adalbert's return to the Great Demon Kingdom (I also admit I wanted that too), I've never had a chance to explore more of his character before and I really do want to have him confront Conrart openly over Julia and Yuuri. The 'Gem of the Dragon King' was a more minimised plot, it really didn't fit with the rest of it.
Okay! on to the next chapter (pulls out anime episode and settles down to watch).
