Normal POV

Lightning flashed as Kazumi's still, cold body lay on the ground. The wind began to pick up a little and the sky darkened in what looked like fury. Conrart glanced up, gasping as he then glanced down at her body in horror. She was wearing the maid clothes Yozak had dressed her up in to escape Stoffel's castle. Her skin was ghostly pale and she was completely still, her chest not even moving to show signs of life. There were a few small trickles of blood down her chin. Her eyes remained closed tight and the wind gently blew her hair and clothes.

"K-Kazumi…" Conrart whispered under his breath, feeling his knees shaking. Distraught ran through him as he tried to regulate his breathing. Suddenly her eyes opened and she sat up. Her eyes were dull and lifeless. She sat up, looking at him as she stood, her expression unreadable.

"Why… Why didn't you protect me, Conrart? You promised you'd protect me… Why couldn't you save me?" her voice pleaded lifelessly. Conrart gasped, looking stricken with grief.

"Kazumi! I… I didn't!" Conrart stuttered, sweat rolling down his face. Her body began to reach its hand out to him, trying to grab him. However a second later, there was a flash of lightning, and she was nothing but a skeleton, reaching for him.

"Why Conrart?" She asked as Conrart gasped, yelling in shock as he bolted upright in bed, breathing heavily and covered in sweat.

Conrart rubbed his face with his hand, trying to wake himself up a bit. He removed his covers, standing and walking briskly out his room, heading down the hall. He opened the door to Kazumi's room, stepping in slowly so he wouldn't wake her and stood by her bedside. He smiled gently, seeing her sleeping like a baby, curled up in her blanket with a small smile on her face.

"Just a dream… it was just… a bad dream…" He whispered to himself, trying to calm himself down. He then blinked in shock when he noticed her squirming a little. Her smile had vanished and she was gritting her teeth. She tossed her head around, in the middle of a nightmare. She squirmed a little before bolting upright, covering her mouth to hold back a scream. She then saw Conrart in the corner of her eye and jumped away in shock, falling off the bed. She let out a small yelp as she hit the floor, grimacing in pain. Conrart chuckled, walking around the bed and helping her stand.

"What the heck? Why are you in my room, Conrart?" She whispered, trying to be quiet as she heard Seraphina grumble in her sleep, rolling over. Conrart smiled gently at her.

"I uh… had a bad dream… and I needed to confirm… that you were still alive…" Conrart replied, looking down sadly. She blinked at him and slowly raised her arm, gently placing her hand on his cheek. He looked startled, but he didn't pull away. She gave him a gentle smile.

"Is this proof enough?" She asked and Conrart's cheeks flushed pink a little for some reason. He smiled, holding her hand gently in his as he lowered it down.

"Yes. This is all the proof I need." Conrart answered, chuckling.

"Now, tell me about your nightmare, okay?" He asked and she giggled, removing her hand from his and walking to the window leading to her balcony. She threw the glass doors open and let the night breeze enter the room. She turned to look at Conrart, looking sad.

"I… I dreamt that you were killed in battle… protecting me…" She stated, seeing Conrart look shocked.

"I died in battle?" He asked and she looked down at her bare feet before she looked up at him in determination.

"Promise me, Conrart! Promise me you'll never be killed in battle! You can't leave me here on my own! You're my good friend and I can't lose you!" She demanded and Conrart looked startled by her sudden request. He then smiled at her, smirking.

"I promise you, Your Majesty, that I, Conrart Weller, will never die in battle and leave you to manage the kingdom by yourself." Conrart promised, walking to her and kneeling in front of her, bowing his head down. She smiled gently, seeing him raise his head, smiling at her.

"Are you feeling better, Your Highness?" Conrart asked and she nodded in response. She then turned, looking out over the balcony. The cool breeze felt great and my long nightgown fluttered around gently.

"Conrart? Can we go into the courtyard? I don't think I'm going to get to sleep again… I'll just be in a crabby mood if I get a little amount of sleep before sunrise…" She asked, glancing at him. He smiled, nodding.

"Of course, let's go then." Conrart replied, standing and opening the bedroom door, allowing her to walk out, then accompanied her to the courtyard. When they got there, she gasped in delight. The flowers seemed to sparkle brilliantly in the moonlight. She jogged towards then, kneeling in front of the flower garden.

"So beautiful!" She exclaimed, watching them glimmer and shine under the moonlight. Conrart slowly walked behind her, looking at the flowers himself.

"Mother likes breeding flowers. She made them after herself and her children. That yellow one is called 'Beautiful Wolfram'; that red one is 'Celi's Red Sigh'; that one is 'Secret Gwendal'; and that one is 'Conrart Standing Tall'. Mother is even making a flower for you. That's the prototype so far, she's called it Wondrous Kazumi." Conrart explained and she burst into giggles.

"She names them well" She stated, looking up at him, smiling brightly. He smiled back down at her but gave her a confused look when she began picking some flowers. She picked a couple of each type and began weaving them together to form a flower crown.

"Your Majesty? What're you doing?" Conrart asked when she smiled at him in triumph, showing him the crown of flowers she made.

"Ta da! I made you a flower crown! Just for you!" She declared and he looked taken aback.

"W-What? Your Highness, no one in this castle can wear a crown but you." Conrart stated, backing away a step. She pouted, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him down, placing the flower crown on his head. She then let him go. He stood back up, looking up as the flower crown sat in position. She giggled, smiling brightly at him as the wind blew gently. The moonlight made everything shimmer gently, making it seem like a fairytale. He looked hesitant for a second until a small smile formed on his face. He smiled gently back down at her, then knelt down, picking a blue flower. She remembered he's said that one was named after him. He stood back up, placing the flower in her hair, tucking it behind her ear. She blushed a little at the touch, not used to people touching around near her ear still. She did the same when Wolfram had brushed and done her hair before as well, so it was nothing new.

"There, the blue goes nicely with your blue nightgown, Your Majesty." Conrart stated, his eyes seeming to shimmer under the moonlight. She felt the smile tug at her lips, forcing it to grow brighter.

"Thank you!" She replied, giggling slightly. Conrart glanced out over the flowers, his eyes looked so sad. He was remembering something painful from his past. She felt her heart break when she saw the sad look on his face.

"Conrart?" She asked, seeing him turn back to look at her. His expression looked miserable and lonely. His eyes shimmered with a thin layer of tears about to exit. She stepped closer to him, gently placing a hand on his arm. She tilted her head when she looked up at his face.

"Is it painful? Those memories you hold? My mum always says that telling people what pains you can sometimes make it seem less painful… I'm willing to carry some of the burden your memories hold for you, if you wish to tell me." She offered, seeing him smile sadly.

"I was just remembering when Julia did something similar to this… And I just remembered how much I actually miss her…" Conrart replied. She remained silent, knowing this would be hard for him. Julia was like a best friend to him, not judging him for his origins at all like the other demons did. Suddenly Conrart caught my attention as he began recapping his painful memories to her.

Flashback

Conrart walked briskly by Lady Celi's side as she led him to the von Wincott household. Conrart was dressed in his military uniform and his hair went down to his chin.

"Now Conrart darling, please, try and lose the frown. Loosen up; you're beginning to look like Gwendal." Celi stated, cupping his chin in her hand gently before turning back to the door. The door was opened by a servant and the two of them walked in. Conrart and Celi was greeted by a man with long white hair and beautiful light blue eyes. He smiled brightly when he saw the two of them enter, then walked to Lady Celi.

"Your Majesty, it is an honor to see you again. How are you holding up?" Asked the man and Lady Celi giggled in response.

"It has been too long Odile, I am doing great! How about you?" Celi replied, taking his hand in hers and shaking it gently. Odile smiled in response.

"I am doing well myself. And this young man must be Conrart Weller, your son, correct?" Odile asked, turning to look at Conrart. Conrart kept the frown on his face, his expression cold. He bowed deeply to Odile.

"I am Conrart Weller, second son of Her Majesty, Lady Cecilie von Spitzweg. It is an honour to meet you Odile von Wincott, head of the Wincott family." Conrart stated, introducing himself. Odile chuckled in response.

"Raise your head child, there is no need for formalities here… As it turns out, I have a daughter about your age I'd say, why don't you meet her?" Odile suggested, leading them out to the garden before Conrart could protest. He walked alongside his mother, not at all pleased to be there. When they arrived in the garden though, he froze to the spot when he heard gentle singing. The voice sounded so sincere and pure, he looked around, hoping to glimpse the owner.

"Julia, come here will you?" Odile asked and Conrart looked up to see a beautiful woman with long, white hair, one light purple streak in her hair and beautiful light blue eyes, sitting up in a tree. She continued her song and Conrart found himself almost entranced. When she finished the final line, she glanced down, not focusing on anything with blank eyes. She jumped down swiftly, her dress folding perfectly around her as she smiled at them all.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again, Your Highness." She greeted, bowing slightly. Her voice sounded soft and mellow, like bell chimes. Conrart stood there beside his mother, blinking in shock.

"Suzanna Julia, it's a pleasure to see you again. I did what I promised, didn't I? I brought my son, Conrart, to introduce you two." Celi replied, nudging Conrart gently with her arm.

"Conrart, I'd heard of your swords skills. I've wanted to meet you for quite a while. I am Suzanna Julia von Wincott. It is an honor." Julia responded, bowing to the group of them. Conrart gasped quietly when she said her full name.

"You're Julia the White? One of the three witches of the Great Demon Kingdom? I've heard a lot about you. The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for being a good friend to my mother when I have not been able to be by her side." Conrart responded, bowing back to her. Celi frowned, elbowing him harshly in the ribs.

"Ow! Mother!" Conrart hissed, glaring at Celi as she frowned sternly at him.

"Say something to make her smile, Conrart, it's the least you could do." Celi demanded, curious to know what he would say. Conrart blushed a little, looking down as he tried to think of what to say.

"Y-Your dress looks pretty on you." Conrart stuttered awkwardly as Julia blinked in confusion, bursting into giggles.

"Thank you, Conrart… That makes me so happy. In return for your nice compliment, allow me to give you this. I was working on it before you all came along." Julia responded, walking towards them with her hand stretched out. She searched with her hand until it rested on Conrart's chest. She smiled, removing her hand, then held out the flower crown she'd just made. Conrart blinked in confusion as Celi nodded for him to accept. He bowed down and Julia awkwardly put it on his head. He stood back up, blushing a little from embarrassment, but was smiling regardless.

"May we become great friends for all eternity" Julia wished, smiling up at him brightly. Her light seemed to shine everywhere despite her being completely blind, trapped in a world of darkness all her life.

End Flashback

"That was when I first met Julia… She'd been my best friend ever since… I sometimes miss her and wish she was still around for me to talk to…" Conrart explained, finishing his story. Kazumi felt her heart shatter at how much emotion he'd put into his story. He really did miss her so very much. A thought ran through her mind.

'Did Yuri truly end up with Julia's soul, or did it get transferred to me? Or did it split somehow like the Great Wiseman's? Maybe I'm half of Julia and so is Yuri?' She thought to herself.

"Kazumi?" Conrart asked, glancing at her in worry when he realized she hadn't spoken a word. He bent forward a little to glance at her face which she was keeping hidden under her hair and looked shocked when he saw the tears running down her face.

"Kazumi?" Conrart asked again in worry, wondering if he'd somehow upset her. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with pity and sympathy.

"Conrart… I'm so sorry… I never dreamt you'd be filled with so much heartbreak and sorrow… I truly am sorry for your loss. She was a dear friend to you, one you never should have lost…" She apologized, the tears flowing in unstoppable fountains. Conrart gave her a pitied look, brushing some hair out of her eyes.

"I don't regret having ever met Julia. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be who I am today. She saved me, made me relax and be who I truly am. I wouldn't trade my time I had with her for anything." Conrart stated, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"I sometimes wonder… who actually got Julia's soul… whether it was Yuri or myself… or both of us by chance… If it was me… I'm so sorry that in order for me to exist, Julia had to die… I'm so sorry I did that to you Conrart!" She apologized again, hiding her face by looking at the ground. Conrart blinked in shock, then sighed to himself. He removed one hand from her shoulders, using it to tilt her chin slightly so she looked up at him. His expression was stern and absolute.

"Never… Never talk like that! You are here today for a reason; never regret or be sorry for your own existence! I may miss Julia, and my memories of her may sadden me at times, but I would never, ever trade you to get her back! This kingdom needs you, Kazumi! Only you can turn it into a world where everyone can live happily and freely! Everyone needs you, even I do… We all love you, Kazumi, and wouldn't trade you for anything in this world." Conrart stated and she blinked in shock, her tears finally stopping.

"C'mon, dry your eyes… It'll be daylight soon, you should get ready to begin your studies with Gunter." Conrart sighed, smiling gently at her. He let her go during his speech and had begun heading back into the castle. She rubbed her eyes dry with her arm and then jogged after Conrart, heading back into the castle. She was so glad he'd decided to tell her what weighed him down, and she was so glad to be able to spare him some of the burden, even if just a little. He looked happier. When Conrart dropped her off at her room, she said farewell to him and closed her door. She sat on the bed, thinking of the song Conrart had told her Julia had sung the day he met her. She recalled the words and gently began singing it.

Meanwhile, Conrart stood outside the door, froze, when he heard her singing the exact song Julia had sung. He blinked in shock before smiling gently. He turned, heading down the hallway and entering his room. He took the flower crown off his head, sitting down on a chair and smiling, looking down at it as it rested gently in his hands.

"Thank you, Julia, I will never regret meeting you. Though it is a shame you never got to meet Kazumi, I have a feeling you would've liked her a lot… She's a lot like you in some ways, especially her voice and personality. She's lively and doesn't form any prejudice. I'm so glad to have met her." Conrart said to himself, smiling while running a finger gently over a purple petal of the flower his mother had created called 'Wondrous Kazumi'. The smile on his face wouldn't be removed any time soon, he could tell that much, and he intended to live up to his promise, no matter what.

SORRY IT'S SO SHORT, BUT THIS CHAPTER IS A NECESSITY! IT'S A BIG STEP IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP, BUT I COULDN'T EXTEND IT ANY MORE, THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL THOUGH. AND FOR THE SAPPINESS IN THIS CHAPTER, BLAME SAPPY MUSIC! I BLAME MUSIC! I was listening to Hoshi e no Inori on repeat.