Disclaimer: Standard... I don't own Kyou Kara Maou...
Watching over You
Glimmer of Hope
"Wait..." Leroy extended his hand as he watched the retreating back of his closest friend.
"Stanley! Wait for me!" he called his friend louder only to realise that he could not move at all. His legs would not obey him. There was no way he could catch up to his friend who was getting further and further from him.
Leroy struggled hard in the darkness. The only thing he could see was his friend and now even Stanley was starting to be swallowed by the shadow.
Fear, despair, and anguish accumulated in him. He was left alone, trapped in this void.
"Stanley!"
Leroy's eyes snapped open, moving wildly to take in his surroundings. He was sweating so much and his chest was heaving fast from panic.
"Leroy!" Conrart placed his reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder, waiting for Leroy to recognise him.
It broke Conrart's heart to see Leroy having a restless sleep when he really needed to get back his strength. After his senseless outburst, Leroy had passed out in the middle of the battlefield. Conrart had to bring him fast to the castle and get him treated, lest he could not possibly be saved in time. Even after passing critical condition, Leroy still did not manage to rest peacefully. Whatever nightmare he had had effectively slowed down his recovery.
Few seconds passed and finally Leroy's breathing evened.
"Sir Weller..." Leroy mumbled hoarsely.
"Yes, how are you feeling?" Conrart smiled gently to the disoriented boy.
"I..." Leroy brought one hand to his forehead, it felt clammy and hot, "This is... What happened?"
"This is Blood Pledge Castle. You've been unconscious for two days now," Conrart supplied.
"Uh..." Leroy closed his eyes, trying to recall something he deemed important at the back of his brain.
As soon as his memory returned, he grabbed Conrart's hand, looking at Conrart with wide desperate eyes, "S-stanley! W-where is he? Is he okay?"
Conrart's face immediately lost its cheering quality; it changed into that of regret.
"I'm sorry," Conrart bowed his head, taking Leroy's hand into his.
"No... No, it can't be..." Leroy shook his head in denial, all the colour drained from his face.
"No! You're lying!" Leroy jerked his hand away from Conrart's and attempted to discard his blanket.
"Leroy, what are you..." Conrart held the boy who was forcing himself to sit up.
"Let me go! I'm going to find Stanley!" Leroy shrugged Conrart's hand, he would find Stanley even as he felt thousands daggers stabbing all over his body.
"Calm down, Leroy," Conrart stood up from his seat beside the bed, staring straight into a pair of celeste orbs.
"No! I need to find him!" Leroy shouted, he began to go into hysterics.
"Leroy, you're going to injure yourself like this," Conrart firmly stopped Leroy from getting out of the bed.
"Let me go!" Leroy fought Conrart with the little strength he had.
"You don't understand me!" tears welled on Leroy's eyes; he would not give up yet.
"Leroy, calm down," Conrart persevered, ignoring Leroy's cry that was becoming louder.
In between Leroy's fit, Wolfram had gotten into the room, following Gisella's steps. Seemed like the amount of noise Leroy made had attracted the attention of the guards posted outside the room. One of them informed Gisella and when Wolfram passed by, he went along.
"What happened?" Wolfram was confused that Leroy got into such state.
"Hold him down," Gisella ordered Wolfram and Conrart as she was going to administer the sedative to Leroy.
With much difficulty, Gisella managed to get the drug into Leroy's system, immediately suppressing his uncontrolled emotion down. His body went limp the moment the drug took effect, but even so, he continued to shed tears in his slumber. He could not accept that he would never be able to see Stanley again.
Conrart adjusted Leroy's position and fixed his blanket. He eyed the boy sadly, 'I understand you. I had lost someone important too...'
"Lord Weller, I need to leave now to attend to other patients," Gisella said as she packed her bag.
"Ah, alright. Thank you very much. I'll be staying here to watch over him," Conrart replied to her, taking his former seat.
Gisella bowed, leaving Conrart and Wolfram in the room.
"The other soldier, Winfred, was an important friend to him," Conrart explained, never taking his eyes off Leroy's sleeping face.
"I heard he was all alone when he arrived in Shin Makoku and Winfred was the only close friend he had, so..." Conrart inhaled deeply, "it's no wonder that he was so shocked to hear the truth."
Now it was Wolfram's turn to glance at his brother's face. Even if Conrart never showed it, was that how he felt when he lost Julia? And worse still, Wolfram had not come to terms with his feelings for Conrart. He was not there for Conrart. He felt really sorry for his brother, for all his childishness at that time.
Reflecting upon the current situation, Wolfram did not dare to imagine if Yuuri was gone or even Conrart himself. Maybe he would be exactly like Leroy moments ago, or more hysterical than that. Maybe by the time he quietened down, half of the castle would be burned to a cinder. No, Yuuri, you must be safe. He did not care what it took, but Yuuri better be safe and sound.
By the time the sun had set, Leroy woke up for the second time that day. He was much calmer, but his silence did not mean that everything was all well. He briefly scanned the room before fixing his gaze to one point at the ceiling.
"Leroy..." Conrart spoke softly so as to not startle the boy.
Leroy just responded by facing Conrart blankly.
"Be strong. Don't give up," Conrart gently cupped Leroy's shoulder.
Leroy blinked, but that was all he did to return Conrart's encouragement.
"I know it is hard. In fact, I did lose someone important to me too in the past," Conrart stopped momentarily as he realised Leroy's eyes were partially clearing up, "Remember that hope springs eternal. I'm sure Stanley would want you to live your life to the fullest."
"Stanley had said that he believed in your dream, so be strong to realise that dream. Not only for you, but also for Stanley," Conrart was beginning to see that Leroy's senses were back to normal function, "And your hand is never meant to wield sword. You're of a kind and gentle soul. The world of fighting is too harsh for you. Be strong, Leroy. We're here for you."
As Conrart talked, Leroy was wondering how much tears could one produce in a day. He kept on pouring more and more of them, yet they never finished. Leroy just sobbed his heart out, letting everything out before he could move on.
It hurt. It hurt so much to accept the truth that someone you treasure was no longer beside you. It was just too much. Too painful.
Conrart provided what Leroy needed the most at the time, a silent companion. He was there for him. He would make sure that the boy would not be consumed with despair all alone. He would help Leroy to the best of his abilities.
"T-thank you... Sir Weller," finally Leroy had become coherent again.
"It's alright, Leroy. Know that we're more than willing to help you," Conrart was relieved that Leroy was indeed back to his usual self, albeit grieving.
"Could you let me be alone for some time?" Leroy asked politely, eyes red from crying.
"Sure. Take your time, Leroy. The guards are outside. You can call me whenever you need help," with one last pat, Conrart left his seat and went out of the room. Conrart knew Leroy needed his own time, just like Conrart in the past.
At least, Conrart had done his part. He assured Leroy that Leroy was never alone. Maybe the people in the castle could not possible replace Stanley, but they were there for Leroy. Conrart hoped that Leroy would really be strong on his part and continue his life to fulfil his dreams.
