Cinderfell made Willow gallop hard through the capital in order to arrive at the inn's stables before 01:30. He arrived there at ten minutes before hand. He quietly and stealthily brought Willow into the stables. No one saw or heard anything. Ulrike appeared as soon as he arrived. "How was the ball?" she asked. Even though his eyes showed sadness, his smile was brilliant.

Understanding Cinderfell's expression she said, "I see…you had a wonderful time, but are sad that you had to leave."

"Yes," said Cinderfell with a nod.

"You will have to tell me everything one day, but not now. I need to take you to your room."

"Okay," said Cinderfell, and with a PUFF they vanished from the stables and appeared in the little room.

"I hope no one noticed that I was gone," said Cinderfell.

"The guard outside is asleep, and no one noticed" Ulrike said.

Cinderfell all of a sudden felt a chill and heard clunk. He looked at his clothing and saw it had changed back to his original clothing, bloodstain included, and that his sword had fallen to the ground since nothing was holding it to him. The old blanket that had served as his cape had fallen to the floor also. There was something that had not disappeared. His left hand still had a glove on it. He looked at it questioningly and amazed. "I still have the glove!" he said.

Ulrike was amazed herself. Why did Cinderfell have one glove and not the two? "Where is the other one?" she asked.

"I don't…wait! Yuu...His Majesty tried to stop me from leaving by grabbing my right hand. He must have pulled it off while I was pulling my hand away."

"I see."

"But why do I still have the glove? Wasn't it suppose to vanish like the rest of the clothing?"

"I do not believe that is the case with the gloves."

"Excuse me?"

"I think Yozak gave you those gloves as a keepsake. I believe that they must be one of his pairs."

"So they are real?"

"Yes, and knowing Yozak they are probably enchanted."

"How?"

"I don't know but we shall see eventually. Keep that glove safe and hidden. You might need it one day," said Ulrike. She picked up the old blanket. "I'll take this back to the stable. Sleep now my dear boy, and don't forget to wrap the sword up." She pointed to the rags that were magically lying on the bed.

Cinderfell looked at the rags that Ulrike had pointed out. He turned to her as she started to turn into a star. "When will I see you again?" he asked. He received only a small smile as an answer as she became bright and floated out the window.

He stored the glove in his pocket, and began to wrap the sword back up. Once he was finished he returned the sword back to the bench. He went to the bed and lay down. He stared up to the ceiling remembering the night. He touched his lips recalling every kiss Yuuri had placed on them. He recalled every kiss he had returned, every touch, and every sound. A warm feeling overcame him as he recalled Yuuri's body touching his. Slowly he drifted off to sleep with a smile on his lips.

Yuuri stared at the glove in his hand. He could not comprehend what had just happened.

"Your Majesty!" yelled a soldier that had brought Willow to Cinderfell. He had attempted to obtain His Majesty's attention for a few seconds.

Yuuri was brought out of his thoughts. "Yes?"

"Sir, should we go after him?"

"Um…Um…" Yuuri was uncertain of what to do. If he gave the order to have Cid followed, it could be possible that Cid would become upset and maybe cause more trouble for him with his boss. If he did not have him followed and brought back to the castle, he might never see him again. Then again if Cid's boss saw that castle soldiers had followed him, then he could get into even more trouble. What to do?

"Let him go!" said Yuuri. That last thing he wanted was for Cid to be injured again. He would look for him. One way or another he would find Cid and bring him back! Yuuri turned and made his way back to the ballroom.

Why did he leave so suddenly? His heart ached and cried. Everything was fine. They were in the garden kissing, Conrart showed up, he asked Conrart to leave them for a minute, the clock struck 1 am, and…and…Cid freaked out when the clock struck 1. Did that mean that Cid had to return to where he was staying or lived before a specific time. Did he need to be there before his boss found out that he had attended the ball? That had to be it.

Conrart saw Yuuri walking back into the ballroom. "Your Majesty" he called out. Nothing. "Your Majesty?" Nothing. "Yuuri" he said gently as he placed a hand on Yuuri's shoulder.

"Conrad, sorry."

"I saw Cid leaving the ballroom, and then I saw you chasing after him. Did something happen?"

"He left!"

"Why did he leave?" Conrart asked. Why would Cid all of the sudden leave without saying goodbye? He seemed far more polite than that. Did Yuuri say something inappropriate?

"I don't know. The clock struck 1:00 and then he said he had to go. He just ran out with no further explanations," said Yuuri sadly. Conrart could hear the pain in Yuuri's voice.

"Do you want me to chase him down?"

"No! At least not tonight."

"May I ask why?"

"I think that if we go chasing after him, he may be hurt again," said Yuuri.

"Who would hurt him?"

"His boss."

"His boss?"

"Yes, the one that caused the injury to his face."

"I see, he told you how he was hurt."

"Yes. I think it's best to leave it for tonight. We'll discuss our options in the morning. Anyway I have his glove!" Yuuri gave Conrart a week yet hopeful smile as he held the glove in his hand. Yuuri thought of something else. "Conrart, if anyone asks about Cid, just tell them that he had to leave because he had an urgent message. Okay?"

"Alright Yuuri. Let's go back to the ball." Conrart understood Yuuri's line of thinking. Cid's master could be attending the ball.

As they entered the ballroom, Yuuri put on his bright, charming, and goofy smile. He had become a master of hiding his feelings behind that smile. Only those close to him could tell that he was forcing the smile.

Rumours had started among the guests as soon as they saw His Majesty running through the ballroom after the blond beauty. Had His Majesty proposed something indecent? Had Mr. Fellow Cid Fellow tried to seduce His Majesty and it failed? Most rumours were squashed as soon as the word went around that Mr. Cid Fellow had received an urgent message from his family and had to return home. His Majesty had run after him seeing the state he was in. It was so like His Majesty to care so much for his subjects.

Yuuri and Conrart had effectively spread the rumours.

Stofel had observed how Yuuri had run after Cinderfell after pushing Sara aside. In his opinion Sara had not done enough to receive the King's attention. He needed for his precious son to become close to His Majesty if he wanted the Maou's power. Stofel had worked long and hard. He had had patience throughout the years. He had groomed Sara to be the perfect consort for the Maou, but now an intruding brat had appeared at the ball. His Majesty had given him all his attention. Even though, after the polka, His Majesty dragged Sara with him, Stofel could see that the Maou's attention was on the blond brat. To make matters worse, the Maou had eventually disappeared for a long while with said brat.

Stofel had begun to question the King's absence with the other guest. He had even gone as far as to suggest to the other nobles to search for His Majesty. Luck had finally come to him, when he saw the blond pestilence leave, and the King run after him. Stofel thus began a rumour that the blond had insulted the King, and the King was going to give him his justice. Unfortunately the King had returned and explained that Mr. Fellow had received an urgent message from his home. No matter, at least the intruder was finally gone. It was time for Sara to make his move on the King.

Sara, being the good boy he was in his father's eyes, had already approached Yuuri. He and His Majesty were talking animatedly. They both walked around the ballroom talking to several guests and nobles. They arrived at the beverage station and began drinking wine. Sara sipped his wine while Yuuri gulped the first one down and took another. They moved on to talk to some more of the guests. Yuuri at one point even suggested dancing, but Sara declined. Sara was doing a fine job keeping the King to himself. He managed to elegantly impede all the ladies and gentlemen, which came forth, from stealing the Maou from him. Stofel watched all this from the distance quite pleased. Stofel diverted his attention to Gunter.

Gunter, being the social butterfly that he was, had socialised with almost everyone. The only person that he had not had a chance to talk to was Lord Ludwig von Christ. Gunter knew of Ludwig from talks with fellow scholars. He also knew that Lord von Christ, head of the Christ territory and therefore one of the ten nobles, was His Majesty most loyal Tutor. Lord Ludwig von Christ was an elderly gentleman who had no children and whose loving wife had passed away many years ago because of sorrow. Gunter remembered hearing that Lord von Christ's only child had died only a few days after birth. Ludwig von Christ wanted to retire, but had not done so because he was not sure to whom he would leave the running of the Christ territory too.

Gunter approached Ludwig. Lord Ludwig von Christ was a tall thin man who in his younger years must have been exceedingly beautiful. His long white hair flowed down his back gracefully. For the evening he had opted to wear a pale blue outfit instead of his usual white. He wore thin rimmed square glasses that sat elegantly on the bridge of his long thin nose. He was watching His Most Beloved, Majestic, Wonderful, All Loving Majesty talk with several of the guest when Gunter approached him.

"Lord von Christ?" said Gunter. The noble turned to Gunter and smiled. "I know that we have not been formally introduced, but I would like to take this opportunity to do so if I may."

Ludwig looked at the man in front of him. They stood at the same height eye to eye. What a charming and polite young man thought Ludwig. "Well of course you may my young friend."

"I am Gunter von Spitzweg and it is a pleasure to meet you finally my Lord." Gunter bowed at the man.

"The pleasure is all mine. I do believe I have heard of you. You are like me a scholar! Is that correct?"

"Oh, yes, yes, yes," said Gunter all so ever pleased. "I have read your latest theories on how to predicted any danger that may befall our most precious and handsome king!"

"You have? Oh my, Lord von Voltaire told me that no one would take me seriously!"

"But of course people will take you seriously! How dare Lord von Voltaire say such a thing," said Gunter indignantly!

"Shall we go to him and prove him wrong?"

"Yes, yes," wailed Gunter. And so Gunter von Spitzweg and Lord Ludwig von Christ became best of friends to Gwendal's headache. Gwendal had now to deal with two wailing men, and a red head menace during the ball. Luckily the red head menace had found a victim and had disappeared with it to her lab.

Stofel watched Gunter from a distance, and thought to himself that it was time to send Gunter on another long journey.

Unbeknownst or observed by anyone, another pair of eyes had observed Gunter and Ludwig. The eyes were black as midnight, kind looking, and did not have an expression that they were ever observant - but they were. Yuuri had taken quick glances towards Gunter and Ludwig. He had become interested in the duo, not because they were chatting away, but by how they look so similar and gestured almost identically. Yuuri then looked at Stofel and Sara. He did not see any resemblance between Gunter and Stofel nor with Sara. But, the more he looked at Gunter and Ludwig, the more he thought that they could have been father and son. It was odd indeed. Oh well, tonight he had to think of other things far more important (eg: Cid Fellow), and he filed that thought in the back of his mind for latter referencing.

And so, the gaiety of the ball continued to the early hours of the morning. The guests began to leave. The ones that stayed to the last were the ones who hung around the beverage station or as it become to be know 'The Bar!' Yuuri was standing (well leaning) next to Sara. Sara had had just a couple glasses of wine compared to Yuuri's barrel. Sara took advantage of the situation. He whispered into Yuuri's ear, "Slap my left cheek."

"Uh?"

He whispered, "Why don't you slap my left cheek? I know that you want to slap someone's left cheek eventually. So why not slap mine?"

Yuuri looked at Sara through eyes blurry eyes. Now why would he want to slap that face? He leaned forward and inspected Sara's eyes. That face did not have green eyes. Nope! Nooooo greeeeen eyyyyyeesss! That made no sense at all. Yuuri came to the general conclusion in his fogged up mind that that face was not Cid's. No indeed! No! Nope! That was not his Cid!

Yuuri lifted his right hand, and waved his index finger in front of Sara's face saying in a drunken stupor, "Yyyyouuu are not...Cid!" He almost fell forward if it was not for Conrart holding him at the last second. Yuuri's right hand missed Sara's left cheek by millimetres landing on his left shoulder.

"Your Majesty it's time to retire," said Conrart while holding a gelatinised Yuuri.

"CONRAAAAAAAAD!" said Yuuri quite happy. "Did you have fun tonight?"

"Yes Yuuri, I had fun!"

"Me tooooooooo! Let's dance!" Yuuri tried to free himself from Conrart. Conrart did not let go. He had seen Gwendal motion him to remove Yuuri from the ballroom.

Gwendal overheard Yuuri's slurry talk. His left eye twitched. He was currently engaged in a conversation with the flighty twins (a.k.a. Gunter and Ludwig). Now he had to see his King completely drunk. Thank Shinou that Conrart was dealing with the boy king. He motioned Conrart to take the Yuuri out of the ballroom and into bed before Yuuri did anything foolish. How did Yuuri become so drunk?

Conrart fought with Yuuri stopping him from going to the dance floor. "Yuuri the guests are leaving, and the ball is over. It's time for bed."

"I don't want to go to bed! I want to dance with Cid!" Yuuri protested.

Conrart came up with a Yuurish idea. "If you go to sleep, then you can dream of dancing with Cid."

Yuuri opened his mouth and closed it several times. He looked like a gaping sea bass. "Excellent idea!" he said. "GOOD NIGHT ALL!" he yelled happily, and waved his hand to all as he zig-zagged out of the ballroom. Conrart loyally followed. He had to make sure Yuuri reached his room.

After a short while Conrart returned to the ballroom. He himself was going to retire for the night but not first without speaking with Gwendal. When he reached Gwendal, Stofel, Sara, and Gunter were saying their goodbyes.

"Good night Conrart it was good to see you again," said Stofel.

"Likewise uncle, good night Gunter, Sara," replied Conrart with his usual gentle smile. Hidden behind that smile were several questions. Did Stofel just wish him a good night? That was unusual. Stofel never directed a word towards him since he had an aversion to humans and half humans. What was Stofel up too?

The von Spitzweg family made their exit.

Gwendal also caught on. He looked at Conrart and asked, "What do you think he's up too?"

"Who've noticed?!"

"Way to polite, even with you."

"He made sure that Sara was always hanging around Yuuri."

"I noticed. And, what was that at the end? The kid almost slapped him!"

"I watched Yuuri and Sara, and Sara kept placing wine glasses in Yuuri's hand."

"Are you saying that Sara made him drunk? Therefore Yuuri would accidentally slap him?" Gwendal thought of the implications that would have had.

"It's a possibility," said Conrart.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Stofel put him up to it."

"I don't think Stofel had anything to do with it directly. As mother says, Sara is a sly one!"

In the von Spitzweg carriage one man was falling asleep and two men sat quietly until one of them mumbled to himself, "I should have moved my head."

"What was that Sara?" asked Stofel in a whisper. He didn't want Gunter to wake up.

Sara whispered back, "I said I should have moved my face to meet his hand."

"Did you purposely make the Maou drunk so he would slap you?" asked Stofel.

"Yes! And if I had just moved a bit and that Conrart had not held him, I'm sure he would have slapped me!" Sara was upset with himself, and even more upset and disgusted with Conrart.

"It was a good plan and a good try. We'll discuss our next step in private." Stofel motioned towards Gunter. He knew that Gunter would not approve of any plan that involved Sara and Yuuri.

Yurri had returned to his room, changed into his blue pyjamas, and went to bed all with some help from his godfather Conrart. He fell asleep immediately. He started to have a simple dream involving a certain blond with green eyes. A faint smile graced his face. As the night wore on, he stretched his arm out looking for something or someone and mumbled a named in his sleep, "Wolfram."

At the other side of the city, a certain blond mumbled, "Yuuri."

I want to thank everyone for the great reviews.

I have decided to finish this story first. There are only 2 to 4 chapters left. I really want to wrap this story up, and I could do it in one long chapter. BUT, It would not be fair to the characters in the story nor to my readers.

I will try to update the Diary soon.

Merle