Author's Note: This chapter deviates significantly from some events in the anime, but it will get a bit more back on track next chapter. LOOOL However, this just lets us all enjoy a different take on what could have happened.
Disclaimer: Own nothing? Where have I heard that before.
Covenant Castle, The Great Demon Kingdom
"Soldiers move! Go fortify the guard at the state guesthouse." Gwendal directed the soldiers out of the room, finally gaining a little privacy and gazing at the back of Gunter who stood by the window, looking as if he were an abandoned puppy. "The army remains on standby, it is the best we can do at present given the nature of these celebrations..."
"I see." Gunter continued to gaze out of the window, his lips pressed together in a sharp line, fingers curling slightly into fists.
"Conrart is with him, you have no need to worry. He is remaining in the castle grounds until the festivities begin in the city tonight."
"I should be with his Majesty." Gunter whispered, however feeling uncertain of how to deal the fact that he was actually a little attracted to the King himself. Yet, the scars... those silvery scars that covered skin that should have been untouched, left him uncertain and weary. How had they been caused? Who was responsible for such abuse?
"Don't do it, Gunter, right now you would only be an encumbrance in your current condition." One that was oddly amusing in its own way. Gunter had already been caught 'moping' in several places around the castle by both maids and soldiers lamenting the cruelty of the fates.
"Yes, but..."
"Just stay here and do what you can to assist his Majesty. There is still much to do before tonight." However, Gwendal, despite the lines of exhaustion that ran across face and the worry that lingered in his navy eyes still managed to find a smile. "There is still much joy to be found, Gunter, in this day. My Brother is happy and so is the King."
"Oh, how can I not be at his side to protect him at a time like this?" Gunter's hands clutched at his head, his expression could almost be described as heartbroken. "This thing, this horrid thing!"
"Do not despair! I will remove that accursed band from you!" Anissina suddenly appeared as if by magic. "The King himself suggested by services." There was pride in her words, though she gave Gunter quite a look for having not come to her earlier over this matter as he had been instructed.
"Is it true?" Gunter whispered, his lavender eyes staring into her blue ones, clearly looking hopeful. "Can you really remove it?"
"From what I've observed so far, that ring has a potent curse on it. However, even the most potent curses are child's play compared to my modern inventions."
"Help me please."
"Don't be so rash, Gunter." Gwendal said from behind the royal aide, his eyes flicking wary glances towards Anissina, knowing that the moment Anissina got agreement out of either of them, they were both doomed.
"I'm prepared to take the risks in order to protect the King."
"Very well then, let's begin. Get ready to assist me, Gwendal."
All the man could do was groan, his fingers clenching slightly into fists and knowing that there was going to be little chance of him being able to assist in any of the preparations being made for the ball at the castle and the celebrations occurring down in the town square that the citizens had arranged to show their support to their King and his fiancé. Life never was fair...
Yuuri tipped his head slightly to the side to regard the young man who stood beside him, taking in Wolfram's face as the youngest of the brothers stood beside him as guard. Leaning against the edge of the balcony railing, he looked out across the castle courtyard and then at the town that spread out before them bathed in the afternoon sun. A thousand bright colours lined each street, the sound of voices actually carrying on the cool evening breeze.
"Is having a new Demon King really something that inspires that much happiness?" Yuuri knew the question was a strange one, but for once he wanted to hear it from someone who wouldn't lie to spare his feelings.
"We went through a very rough age."
"The war." Yuuri whispered softly, always aware of it no matter where he went the impact of something that had caused such loss and devastation at every level of society.
"It wasn't Mother's fault!" Wolfram snapped, his fingers curling into fists as they rested on the railing beside Yuuri's own. "He is the one responsible. Stoffel. I can't believe he's at it again. This day should be a celebration, not something that should be so overshadowed by his actions. He keeps hurting them... all those... I care about."
"I won't let him ruin this day." Yuuri offered Wolfram a reassuring smile, but knew that everything still weighed so heavily on the minds of so many.
"He lost Julia to that war." Wolfram whispered, unable to keep those words from slipping out of him, even though he knew Yuuri was the one Conrart loved now. "She died... while he was off attending to the war. It was horrific... an escalating conflict. So many lost their lives... we almost lost Conrart to that war, he was also mortally wounded... in his own way... I..."
"I won't let Stoffel cause anymore tears." He could still remember the hot tears that had burned down over his fingertips as Conrart lay with his head in his lap, weeping for all those who had been lost to a senseless war. Such pain still existed within Conrart and it would be there for a very long time yet, just like the pain that dwelt within Yuuri.
"Sire?" Wolfram's head turned slightly, brows coming together.
"Stoffel... anyone... I won't let them cause..." Letting out a rushed breath, he leaned his forehead against his clenched hands, letting out a slow breath. "The thought of what happened to him..." Yuuri's voice actually cracked. "What..." Something hot almost seemed to scald his fingers, his head jerked up and away, gazing down at the tiny droplet that slid down across the back of his hand and onto the stone of the rail.
Green eyes widened as they stared into Yuuri's face, watching as tears began to streak down the man's cheeks, leaving burning wet trails behind. "Sire... I... I didn't mean to..."
Yuuri staggered backwards slightly, his hand lifting to touch the wetness, drawing his fingers away to stare at them, almost unable to believe that there were tears continuing to fall to the ground. His heart ached like it was caught in a vice at the memory of Conrart's trembling body in his arms, the soul-wracking sobs that had escaped from between his lips. The thought of Conrart in pain tore him apart inside.
The strain of the last few days was rapidly catching up to him, so many things weighed on his mind. He had lost his balance, his toes touching the edge of a dangerous drop, reality striking home. The journey had been full of acceptance... he had made choices that affected those around him and he was finally realising that all those around him were deeply affected by each and every choice he made. Looking into Wolfram's face, he knew that his acceptance of the duel... the fight with this young man had changed him. Gwendal as well. Things with Gunter were precarious...
It was the realisation that he couldn't keep clinging to his pain and he realised he was. His scars. He was still afraid, still afraid that when they knew the reason for them they would turn their backs on him. Conrart never would. Fear was a dark spark inside of his heart. He was still pushing so many away... still... lingering in the shadow cast by all those who had treated him like garbage.
Wolfram didn't look at him like he was a freak, there were no more hateful words about half-breeds that part of this boy had been washed away. He wanted that too. He didn't want to flinch away from his past.
He had told Conrart the words.
Yet, could he say the same words to Wolfram? Could he tell the younger man about what had happened to him?
Yuuri Shibuya needed to break the silence. He wouldn't be a victim any longer.
"In my world is it not acceptable to most to openly say that you are a homosexual." Yuuri felt the tears continue to burn down across his cheeks, but let them fall, his gaze which had been on the ground lifted and gazed into Wolfram's green eyes, meeting them squarely and not flinching away. "Many found out about my sexual orientation and they..." Fingers clenching into fists, he forced the words out. "They beat me. Friends I trusted in turned on me when they found out... disgusted... I bear the scars of countless beatings. I trusted in them... and they betrayed me to the bullies who did this to me."
Yuuri reached down, still not letting his gaze drop away from Wolfram's. He would not fear the outcome. Fingers curling around the edge of his shirt, he tugged it upwards, the fabric sliding up and revealing the countless scars that streaked across his skin, years of abuse at the hands of those whom wouldn't stop. Swallowing hard, he allowed it to drop back down, seeing the flicker of horror in Wolfram's eyes.
"I'm afraid, Wolf. I'm terrified every time I let people get close that when they know... they'll... they see me as nothing more than a filthy..." He couldn't say the words. "Your brother... Conrart was the first person to look at me, to see me... the real me... he loves me." The last three words were whispered breathlessly. "Conrart loves me... and I would do anything to keep him safe. I want to trust again, I want to be able to trust everyone around me again."
"I... I didn't know." Wolfram whispered softly, but finally understanding a little more of what was within their Demon King and that this man had been forged from steel and was strong enough to face him. "You... you can trust me, Yuuri. I swear, I would never. I will never betray you."
"Brother." Yuuri tested the word, his dark eyes filled with relief, feeling another weight slipping off his shoulders. "Brother."
The blonde offered him a shaken smile, nodding once. Wolfram curled his fingers around Yuuri's, squeezing once. "You are part of our family and don't ever think otherwise. You belong here with us, with Conrart, Gwendal and me... and Mother when she's here."
Yuuri tugged on that hand, pulling Wolfram towards him and wrapped both arms around the smaller man, hugging him tightly, feeling Wolfram stiffen for a moment before relaxing. "You don't know how much that means to me. How much your words do mean to me..."
Carriage after carriage rolled through the crowded city streets, banners flying like long streamers behind several, identifying each noble family as they were arriving for the early evening festivities occurring at the castle. There was something more to this occasion than there had been at the Coronation of the King, an atmosphere of true jubilation at being able to experience something with their King and his future consort.
The people were becoming more relaxed, seeing the slow seep of peace settle from the castle and out into the surrounding lands. The King was one that did not scoff at hard work or seeing to things outside of the castle personally. The threat of another war seemed to be sliding further and further away day by day, the pain leaching out of the hearts of the people.
Yuuri watched it all from the large windows of his office which overlooked the castle grounds and city below, his hand resting on the edge of his desk, fingertips brushing against the long leather and metal box that spanned its length. It was only at the sound of the door that he turned away from the entrancing view of his home coming to life. Twisting his head just enough to glance over his shoulder, he smiled at the tall figure that was backlit by the torches running along the hallway.
"Our guests are arriving, they will soon be wanting both of us down in the hall." Conrart leaned against the doorframe, cinnamon eyes sweeping the length of Yuuri's black clad body, the edges of his white shirt showing beneath the richly embroidered jacket. A long cloak was clasped at his throat, the long fur lined length also a velvety black and sweeping down to the knee high leather boots. "You look beautiful, Love."
"And you, my Prince, look like you stepped right out of a fairytale." Waving the man forwards and to the other side of the desk, he couldn't help but grin up at his husband, feeling a thrill run up through his body to know that this man was his. "I have an engagement gift for you."
Cinnamon eyes widened in surprise, before dropping down to regard the large box that was being pushed towards him. "You... did not need to..."
"I wanted to. I picked it out myself." His grin widened, delighted by the fact Conrart hadn't expected it. "Go ahead, open it."
And a large hand reached out towards it, hesitating at the latch that kept the lid closed, eyes going from his lover's face down to the box before carefully sliding the latch out and up. The lid lifted on its hinges easily, revealing a long sword and black scabbard resting on a velvet lining. Its hilt and guard were etched with tiny images of lions, the blade bearing its own finely gilded inlay which looked like a vine running down the centre. Yuuri reached out and drew Conrart's hand to that section, guiding his fingers over the raised areas that actually cleverly inscribed with raised text done in something few could read.
"It reads, 'Beloved lion of the King, may you always know your place rests in my heart'." Yuuri's lips turned upwards at the corners for a moment, his head lifting a little. "I had to borrow one of your blades so I could get the weighing of it right. I commissioned the work on it myself, I hope you like it."
"Its... lovely." He slipped a hand beneath the hilt of the blade, feeling his fingers easily slide around the pummel, the weight of it perfect in his grip as he hefted it, feeling the balance of it. "Yuuri... this..." It was a work of art, a gift of something like this from the King himself was priceless and touched him as much as the gift of their pledge rings. "I don't know what to say..." Conrart found himself actually stammering, wide cinnamon eyes unable to lift from the beautifully crafted weapon.
"Well, I guess my choice of gift was appropriate." He had gone for practical, rather than some pointless flounce and fluff. "Here..." Yuuri carefully lifted the scabbard free and slipped the blade into it before exchanging it for the one Conrart usually wore. "Perfect."
"I..." Conrart tried to find words to say how much this meant to him... "I didn't..."
"You already gave me a gift, Conrart. One that is more precious to me than this entire Kingdom." The back of Yuuri's fingertips caressed down Conrart's cheek lightly. "Your love and your heart."
Conrart bent his head and kissed Yuuri deeply, expressing in that one kiss every ounce of love he had in him, everything he felt at such a touching gesture and those words. "You always know... exactly what to say..." His lips turned upwards and his rested his forehead lightly against Yuuri's, just standing there, their bodies close together, their love a tangible thing. "I love you." He responded softly to those earlier words.
"I think we should go down and greet our guests, I'm looking forwards to tonight."
Adalbert Von Grantz stood amongst the columns that ran along the side of the massive hall, his eyes fixed on Conrart Weller who stood amongst a number of different noblemen and women. Anger simmered like a storm in a fragile teacup, ready to shatter and spill out into the world around him. The words of his own father continued to echo louder and louder into his ears, the facts that the King himself had conveyed to the old man. His fingers lifted to lightly touch the pendant that now hung around his neck, the cool blue stone settled over his heart.
Why had Conrart been entrusted with Julia's soul? Why had it been this man who had been given such a task? There was still a part of him that didn't believe the claims, couldn't believe that Julia's soul was inside of the dark- haired young man he had met twice before. A cold dark rage settled in his gut over the fact that Conrart had claimed something that didn't belong to him. It seemed rather convenient that the reincarnation of Julia would be 'in love' with Conrart Weller. There was only one explanation for it. Their King had been deceived by Conrart, tricked into this match.
However, his view however was cut off abruptly when a beautiful woman drifted between himself and where Conrart was standing. His blue eyes blinking as they suddenly tracked her movements, surprised to see that she seemed to be searching for someone amongst the milling masses of people that had crammed themselves into the vast space. Adalbert straightened away from the column, his eyes darting back to Conrart for a moment, but the man had already moved away, vanishing from view... yet when he looked for the woman who had caught his attention, he could no longer see her.
Adalbert felt... different. His fingers touched his now short cropped blonde hair and completely clean-shaven face, even the side-burns had gone and it had softened his usually harsh appearance. Instead of worn riding clothes, the formal attire and cloak had replaced them, it had been so long since he had worn something like it, since he had been at a party like this. Plenty of people hadn't even recognised him when he had entered amongst other members from branches of his own family.
There was a life to this place, a strange odd sense of peace permeated the entire room and also the people. It was clear that Yuuri Shibuya, the man who held Julia's soul truly was the Demon King after all, his very presence lighting up the space.
"Found you." A soft feminine voice suddenly said from his elbow, a gloved hand lightly touching against his arm.
The man almost jerked out of his skin when he gazed down into the face of the woman whom had captured his attention earlier, staring into the warm green eyes of a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Long hair cascaded around her pale shoulders in waves of emerald silk, the dress she wore hugging her figure and delicately flowing down to her ankles. It was simple in design, but seemed to enhance her beauty.
An impish smile curved her lips when she caught him staring. "I saw you when you came in with the Von Grantz family..."
"Yes..." Adalbert blinked once, blue eyes caught by those intense green ones that looked right up into his very soul, ensnaring him. Had anyone ever done that before? Looked him straight in the eye and not flinched away from what they saw there?
"We needed this celebration."
"What?" Adalbert gaze narrowed sharply, his expression softening however as he took in the fine features of the woman, not quite being able to place where he had seen her before, yet seeing the wealth of emotions that lived within this woman.
"The Great Demon Kingdom needed this celebration, the people needed to know that... they no longer needed to fear the darkness returning to take their families from them. They needed to be able to smile again... to see their King and hear his promise that there will never again be such a war in this Kingdom again." Gisela's eyes closed for a long moment, remembering the warm smile of their King when he had come down for his lessons in the healing arts, the cup of tea he would always bring her and the tiny bit of good news he would tell her about. That friendship had become precious to her as she grew to know the man who ruled their nation with a strong hand and a good heart.
"You think highly of him then?" For once he found himself listening intently to the woman beside him, feeling the burning ache of his shattered heart ease at the sound of her voice and the warm touch that lingered on his arm.
"Yes. I have been fortunate enough to get to know him personally. He truly does care about everyone in this world, including the humans. He has fears and flaws like any other man, yet he still moves forwards, still faces each challenge and is willing to listen to those around him." Her expression softened as she looked up at Adalbert, her heart beating wildly in her chest at the sight of a man she had fallen in love with long ago. Yuuri had promised he would do everything he could to bring Adalbert back to the Great Demon Kingdom and here he was, safe and whole and not in the castle dungeons.
"He is doing his duty as King."
"He doesn't consider it a duty." Gisela responded with absolute certainty. "He honestly just wants to be able to make this world a place where everyone will one day understand each other... He wants the humans and Demon Tribe to be able to live together without fear or misunderstandings. I believe that his Highness will be able to do so and I want to see it... I want to see his dream become real."
"The Demon Tribe won't change..."
"It already has." Gisela's head tipped back to gaze into those blue eyes that held her so entranced. Her heart had always wondered what it would be like to know the fierce all consuming love this man could offer a woman. Emerald green eyes closed for a long moment as she sighed, feeling her heart clench to know that Adalbert might never see the love within her heart. "We have lost too many... but..." Her voice dropped to a soft whisper, something only Adalbert could hear. "We are still here, there is still hope for the future. I want to protect this peace. I want to do all I can to see it... to see the day when..."
Adalbert reached out with one large hand, his fingers hesitating as they hovered just over her cheek and for a moment he wondered if his rough calloused hand might injure that white skin. It had been like that with Julia. She had been like a flower, something so beautiful and could bring joy to the hearts of so many... yet... he had been the warrior, harsh and unyielding... and could almost trample that delicate beauty beneath his boots with his carelessness. How often had he seen the sadness in her beautiful expression when she observed him tending to his weapons?
He could feel the heat of her, the warmth and vibrancy. He almost jolted right out of his own skin when a gloved hand curled around the back of his own, drawing it against her cheek. Willingly, her head turned, pressing into his touch. Her soft lips parting in a whisper-soft sigh of delight at the contact. Long curling locks brushed against the back of his wrist and hand and Adalbert was shocked to realise he was smiling.
"Do I frighten you?" Adalbert questioned. "I am not like these other men, I am not a coward."
"Why should I be frightened of you?" Stepping closer, her free hand lifted to rest her palm over his heart, feeling the pounding beat of it. "Would you hurt me?"
"Never." He breathed, feeling as if someone had curled fingers around his heart at those words. All he had ever wanted to do was protect... protect what mattered most to him, to be the strength that someone needed. Julia hadn't turned to him for that, she had turned to Conrart for that, to everyone but him. "I would never hurt you."
"Dance with me." Gisela asked softly.
"I... I am not one for dancing."
"I highly doubt that." Her hand curled around Adalbert's, not afraid to tug him forwards, draw him along with her and into the whirling rush of colour. Grip shifting on his, her hand reached out to draw his arm around her as she stepped willingly into his arms, smiling up at him. "Dance with me, Adalbert."
The whisper of his name made him stare down into her beautiful face. He was caught up in her eyes, caught up in the warmth and affection he saw there, directed at him. The music vibrated through him, sparking something within him, while his grip slowly relaxed around her, drawing her slender frame against his own. She was barely up to his shoulder, yet, she had a fierceness to her... not afraid of challenging him.
"Please stay."
And all thoughts of everything else drifted away as he drew her protectively against his body and swept her into the sea of people, his fingers curling around her own, squeezing them softly. "Let me... protect you... just for a little while." He didn't know he had spoken those words as he gathered this woman to him, her head being tucked against his shoulder, just allowing her to sooth the raw broken shards of his soul.
Gisela couldn't help but relax into his grip, melting into him, eyes closing as he guided her effortlessly through the movements of the waltz. "Stay." She breathed. "Just stay with me..."
Town Square, The Capital, The Great Demon Kingdom
Fingertips brushed. Bodies sliding past one another. Eyes locking.
Conrart's hand curled around Yuuri's which were stretched out towards him, their fingers lacing together as they moved slowly to the music of the waltz. The world around them seemed to fade away, drifting on a night breeze and leaving them alone with the music and laughter. Slowly they were moving closer with each sweeping whirl of the music, their hearts beating in time, unable to look away.
It was only then Yuuri heard the soft whisper, the low rich tenor and almost gasped in surprise. Obsidian eyes widened, his heart in his throat as Conrart offered him an adoring smile before his lips parted once more, his voice filling their world with joy. Each whispered word, every note of the melody rang within his soul. Conrart was singing. His eyes a molten silver, ringed by cinnamon, as if two bright stars had taken up residence there.
Conrart Weller didn't fear anything those around him would say, no worry clouded his handsome features as he continued to sing to the music, a song of love and sweet happiness. All the past had dropped away from them in those moments, their left hands clasped, the rings glinting in the warm glow of the thousand lanterns strung up in the square.
"I could fly right at this moment." Conrart whispered into Yuuri's ear, both hands catching his husband around the waist, lifting him with ease, whirling him around.
Yuuri's hands gripped Conrart's shoulders, his head thrown back as he laughed in delight, the worries that had plagued him washing away as his arms stretching out. Closing his eyes, he just lived for that moment, for this heartbeat of time. "You've already given me wings."
Slowly as Conrart allowed Yuuri's body to slide down against his own, he felt fingers brushing across his face. A mouth found his lips, warm and welcoming, their kiss was sweet and lingering. Their kiss was only broken when they heard voices off to their left, spotting Gwendal, Gunter and Anissina off to one side.
"But I'm pleading with you." Gunter's expression was serious, his lavender eyes pinning Gwendal in place.
"I'm sorry, but I flatly refuse. The answer is no." Gwendal was practically fuming, clearly unaware of the fact that Yuuri and Conrart could hear both of them quite clearly even though they were a dozen paces away.
"Do you know I heard from Doria that they tried several different inventions by Anissina to remove it... I actually saw Gwendal washing Gunter's hair earlier when I was going to talk to him about something." Yuuri remarked softly to Conrart, both of them intrigued by the drama unfolding before them.
"Now that the greatest magic power in the Great Demon Kingdom and every modern demonic device conceived of by my ultra superior brain has appallingly and shockingly failed. Only one viable option remains at our disposal."
Yuuri was actually forced to lift one hand and press his palm over Conrart's soft lips, covering them and muffling the sound of his beloved's laughter as they observed the entire thing without anyone noticing either of them.
"I told you, no way in hell!" Gwendal was livid, though there was a faint line of colour beginning to rise up along his throat. "Besides, why in the world my I be forced to kiss Gunter? Its sheer madness."
Conrart's cinnamon brown eyes widened slightly at the words and his body actually jerked with repressed laughter. The whole thing was ridiculous, but just so hilarious. Even Yuuri was forced to stifle his own laughter which was almost choking him at the rather loud words that had escaped Gwendal and the fact that the usually stoic man was blushing a fiery red.
"Not Gunter." Anissina corrected, waving a finger in the air just before Gwendal's nose. "You must kiss the band stuck to Gunter."
"Karma." Yuuri gasped out softly, a shimmer of tears coming to his eyes as he forced back the laughter that wanted to burst out of him. "Was never this funny."
"It's the same thing!"
"Gwendal." The whisper of the man's name was almost intimate as it escaped Gunter's lips.
"I've had enough of this!" Gwendal twisted around, his jaw clenched fiercely, hands curled into fists and looking quite ready to storm away.
"Wait! Gwendal!" The slightly shorter Gunter was following behind him, one hand reaching out towards him, managing to step in front of the retreating Lord Von Voltaire, he looked almost desperate. "Please. What must I do?"
"That's enough!"
"Enough!" Anissina huffed and planted one hand in between Gwendal's shoulderblades and shoved hard, sending Gwendal stumbling forwards towards Gunter.
Gwendal's arms wrapped around Gunter, desperate to keep his balance as his lips were suddenly pressed against the band of gold metal. It was quite obviously a kiss, a bright light flaring from the where lips met metal. The two men stared at each other, their gazes locking for one long moment. Before Gwendal's hand lifted to hook beneath the edge of the band and slipped it off the man's head.
"Curses of this calibre have always been undone by a kiss dating back all the way to the days of legend. It's always worth a try."
"This is..." Gwendal rasped. "This is so absurd!"
That was when all there turned to stare at the pair of men who had ended up dropping to their knees, both bent over with laughter, their shoulders resting against each other. Yuuri and Conrart had been practically brought to tears by the hilarity of the moment, both unable to stop for a very long time, even when Gwendal glared daggers at both.
None of them had been aware of the large blonde haired man who had been watching it all, the warmth of the evening sliding away sharply at the sight of Yuuri reaching out his hands to curl around Conrart's jaw and pull the man's head around to kiss him.
"Excuse me." A man stood to one side of where Yuuri and Conrart were enjoying a couple of quiet moments away from the crowds, several guards standing watch, but not so obviously to draw attention to them. "I've been given a message for you, my Lord."
Conrart turned slightly, surprised that the messenger was addressing him and not Yuuri. Accepting the slip of paper, he lifted it up to read over the message and stiffened sharply.
"Conrart?" Yuuri's head tipped to the side as he gazed up into his lover's expression, his lips parting just about to say something when he sighed. "Come here." He whispered softly, having a feeling he knew exactly what was on the message. His hand curled around the back of Conrart's head, fingers sliding through the long strands, their mouths meeting for a long heartbeat, sweet and tangible. "I won't interfere. I..." As much as he wished he could do something about it, he knew that it had been a long time coming. Conrart Weller needed to face off against Adalbert Von Grantz. "Promise me... promise me you'll remember my heart and my soul belong to you."
"Thank you." There were not many that understood the need for a swordsman to speak with his blade. "Stay safe." His heart ached at the fact that he had to leave Yuuri even for a few minutes. "I'll be back in a few minutes. No matter what happens, I will always come back to you, my Love."
"I'll be right here, my Prince. My beloved Husband."
And Conrart felt his heart close around those words, holding the close to his heart as he turned away, the note crushed between his fingers.
Adalbert reached around his neck and lifted off the blue pendant that had rested beneath his white shirt, his blue eyes meeting those of Conrart Weller. Holding it out, it dangled from between his fingers, his expression showing the heartache and anger that swirled around within him, having been trapped there for far too long. Most of it wasn't even directed towards Conrart anymore. "There is something I just can't understand. Something that's plagued me since Julia died. Why did she die without telling me anything? What was it that she entrusted to you?"
Adalbert slowly settled the pendant down onto a nearby tree stump that stood in the middle of the small park area within the walls of the city, the trees blocking them from view. "I want to know the real truth!" His sword lifted as it slipped free from his scabbard, the blade however remained just that, a blade. Esoteric skills had no place here, no place in a duel between two men who had loved the same woman. They were Demon Tribe.
He was still Demon Tribe.
Conrart's fingers curled around the hilt of the sword Yuuri had gifted to him, allowing the blade to slide free from the leather and gilt metal sheath. He thought he would feel anger, thought he would feel resentment towards a man who had put Yuuri in danger, had turned his back on the Great Demon Kingdom... but he couldn't. Yuuri believed there was still good inside of Adalbert and he could see it too.
"Listen to me, Adalbert." Conrart responded softly. "I see in you the pain of the deep love you held for Julia. With this sword I wield, I shall embrace it."
"You know nothing! Who are you to talk of my pain?" And Adalbert charged, his blade flashing through the air, the blade singing as it struck hard against Conrart's own as he met him half way.
"You were not the only one who cared for her, Adalbert." Conrart parried the next blow, both of them twisting around, though Adalbert was larger and had more brute strength, Conrart was quicker and lighter on his feet. "But I knew... she loved you. I accepted that, Adalbert. I knew... she did not love me as she did you."
"That man... you only see Julia when you look at him." He knew the story, knew of what Conrart had been gifted with, while he had been left alone, unable to say goodbye, unable to find peace in Julia's death. "He is not Julia. He might hold her soul, but he is not Julia!" Adalbert had watched Yuuri all evening, watched the King from a distance and thought he drew people around him like Julia had, there was something fundamentally different about him. Yuuri Shibuya was a warrior.
Adalbert was startled by his own admissions, his blue eyes widening as he struggled to grip his anger, struggled to hold it to him. Their blades met again and again, powerful blows that would have killed any other opponent. Julia... he had loved Julia... a precious flower... but... even he...
A roar of agony rang from his throat, Adalbert throwing himself into the duel, not stopping until both of them were panting hard, their clothes clinging to their bodies with sweat.
Conrart's next swing however knocked Adalbert's sword from his hands, sending it spinning backwards to bury itself deep into the rocky earth. One knee gave out under him, his body half crumpling, his face a mask of tortured anguish. He expected to feel the bite of that blade, yet nothing touch him, his head lifting slightly to gaze into Conrart's concerned face.
"The Great One and the Demon Tribe abandoned Julia to die without reason! My proof is that she died without telling me anything! She never hinted of the Great One's plan."
"Stop deceiving yourself." Conrart said sharply. " Julia loved you so much she didn't want you to know the end result. That she would be reincarnated as a different person with no memory of you. Perhaps she thought it was just too cruel a fate for the one she loved. She wanted you to think of the new Demon King as another person and didn't want you to get caught up in her promise to the Great One."
"How foolish you were, Julia." A single tear streaked down across his cheek, his shoulders shaking with the force of his own grief as he was finally allowed to face it, finally allowed to face the truth of what had truly been between them. "If it was what you had wanted, I would have accepted whatever fate was yours..." His blue eyes stared up at Conrart, realisation burning hotly through his chest. He had loved Julia... but what they had shared was not what he had glimpsed between Conrart and Yuuri. How could he ever accept such a fate for the one he loved? How could he...
"Conrart!"
Adalbert's head lifted sharply to glance towards the sound of that familiar voice, eyes widening at the sight of his mysterious beauty. His heart clenching in his chest when her eyes found him and concern was instantly filling her face.
"What is it, Gisela?"
Adalbert's jaw would have dropped open in shock as recognition struck him full force as the name went with the beautiful face. Gisela Von Christ...
"I can't find his highness anywhere! He was not feeling well... and sent Samuel to find him but when I came he was... he wasn't there and the guards were gone."
Yuuri staggered slightly, a hand lifting to lightly touch his forehead as his entire body seemed to feel sluggish around him. He hadn't had anything alcoholic to drink, yet he felt as if he were drunk. He still remembered the slightly bitter taste of that last drink one of the guards had handed to him, suggesting he looked dehydrated. The man's face was a blur in his mind's eye. He had sent Samuel off to find Gisela minutes earlier, it was during that time that his stomach had decided to rebel. The King looking for the closest place to heave up everything inside of him.
He didn't realise as he staggered forwards that step by step, his guards were being dragged away into the deep shadows of the alleyways that led off the street. His head was down, shoulders slumping, his hands were slowly beginning to go numb.
A hand suddenly rested at his elbow, a cup being pressed to his lips. "Drink, Sire. You will feel better for it."
"No..." He whispered, dizzily, his feet feeling as if they had been weighted down lead weights. Though his stomach still roiled, his body swayed to one side, a part of his brain screaming that something was wrong, that something was wrong with him and he needed to find Conrart.
"Drink."
The cup was forced towards him again, but one of his hands knocked away that wrist, sending the contents spilling across the cobblestones, the wooden vessel bouncing and rolling away.
"Con...rart..." He breathed his lover's name, his vision swirling with a thousand white stars, his limbs feeling so heavy... so heavy... A whisper of his lover's name escaped him one last time... His hand reached out towards the blurry outline of his husband, fingers touching only empty air. As darkness clouded his view, his body trembling once fiercely as the sedatives that had been placed in his drink were finally taking complete hold of him.
"YUURI!" The man appeared a few feet away, Adalbert actually only a step behind. Horror flared through Conrart Weller, the horror of knowing that his need to duel against Adalbert had drawn him away when Yuuri had need him most. A howl of his beloved's name escaped him as he broke into a dead run as the dark figure swept Yuuri up over one shoulder and turned to flee.
Adalbert stared at Conrart, seeing the terror in the man's eyes and knew that he had been mistaken about what lay between Yuuri and Conrart, there was a burning love between the two like he had never before seen. His heart sank, knowing that their King had been placed in danger because he had been selfish enough to draw away the one man who had been protecting the King. His horror was palpable and despite his exhaustion he was bolting down the street after Conrart.
Men sudden dropped from the roofs of surrounding buildings, black clad shadows that attempted to slow them down, their swords flashed quickly, cutting down any enemy that stood in their way.
Through twisting streets and alleyways, the two warriors were tracking the dark figure that carried the unconscious King across his shoulder. They didn't hesitate for a moment, both men working together, forgetting everything but the drive to rescue their King from the hands of those who had been sent on this day of all days to abduct their King.
Up a flight of stairs they both raced, finally trapping the cloaked figure on a rooftop. The man was near the far edge, Yuuri hanging limp and deathly pale over the man's shoulder, his long raven hair swaying slowly as his head bounced against the man's back. It was a four storey drop on the other side to the streets below, something that would certainly killed the man if he attempted to jump.
"Surrender the King at once." Adalbert snapped out, his blue eyes narrowing as he felt oddly protective of the dark haired man whom had somehow been the catalyst to getting him to return to the Great Demon Kingdom. "Surrender now and you won't die."
The figure turned his back to the dark drop beyond, staring at them and not speaking a word. Suddenly he stepped back over the edge, disappearing only for a few moments before there was a sudden flap of leathery wings.
A snarl escaped Conrart and he was charging forwards, unwilling to give up no matter what. He was going after the member of the Flybone tribe that carried the King, blade hissing through the air. The creature was however just out of reach as Conrart launched himself, unafraid of the dark drop, his hand stretched out towards his beloved, his fingers grazing against black fabric before he was caught hard across the jaw by the booted foot of the ninja and sent crashing backwards. His booted feet landed on the edge of the roof, his balance precarious. His hand stretching out again towards Yuuri.
It was only the fingers catching the back of his shirt jerking him backwards from a plunge down onto the unforgiving pavement below.
A howl of pure rage filled the night as he watched his beloved being carried away from him, unable to do anything in that moment but watch helplessly. "I swear you will suffer for this! DO YOU HEAR ME! I will hunt you down and cut out your heart, Stoffel! I WILL NOT REST UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD!"
CLIFFIEEEEEE LOOOOL