At the morning Haschwald met with Bambietta and Cang in the corridor. Together they headed to the Stern Ritters meeting in the throne room. The Emperor was going to tell something important to his soldiers.
When Stern Ritters lined up in front of him, the Emperor took a look at them, as usually stopping his glance at Haschwald.
"I called you all here to tell you about one event related to the town, where you usually spend your free days. Not so long ago our sensors were able to detect a new unknown source of reiatsu, which appeared there. I want to know to whom it belongs. So I am going to send someone of you to investigate the situation. Any volunteers?"-Juha Bach asked.
Stern Ritters looked at each other and then Bambietta made a step forward.
"I bet she just wants to visit human world once again."-Haschwald thought and stepped forward too.
The Emperor was a bit surprised, when he saw Haschwald among volunteers but didn't say anything. Then he ordered other Stern Ritters to return to their duties and when they left, he started to discuss the details of the task with Haschwald and Bambietta.
"I hope you understood everything."-Juha Bach said in conclusion.
Bambietta bowed and headed to the exit of the room. Haschwald bowed as well and wanted to follow her but the Emperor stopped him.
"Say, Haschwald. Why did you volunteer too?"-Juha Bach asked, looking with a smile at the blond Quincy.
"I did it just in case if Bambietta will get into trouble. If something happens, I will be nearby to help."-Haschwald explained.
"All right. Just promise me that you will be careful there."-with these words the Emperor drew Haschwald closer to himself and kissed him.-"I hope you won't get hurt like the other day."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will be fine."-Haschwald replied.
Soon Haschwald and Bambietta left Vandenreich and went through the various streets of the small town, searching for the source of the unknown reiatsu. At first they were not able to find anything suspicious, but then they heard screams nearby. Two Quincies headed there and saw a Hollow, who was attacking some humans.
"His Majesty told us that it would be better not to use our powers in front of humans. So it's their problems. Come on, Haschwald."-Bambietta said, going to leave.
"Wait. I can feel the unknown reiatsu, which coming this way. Maybe it's just what we were searching for."-Haschwald said.
They were waiting for something unusual to appear but nothing like that happened. Only some guy ran out from somewhere and rushed to the Hollow.
"Look!"-Bambietta was really surprised, when suddenly a bow appeared in the guy's hands and with its help he attacked the enemy.-"This can't be! Is he one of us?"
"Looks like that reiatsu belongs to him."-Haschwald said, looking at the person, who has already defeated the Hollow.
"What an idiot! Showing his Quincy powers to everyone around. He will be caught by Shinigamis soon."-Bambietta said a bit irritably.-"If they catch him, they may soon find out about us as well."
"Then, in such case, we should do something about it until it's too late."-Haschwald said and ran to the guy, who was already going to leave.
Two soldiers stopped him and were able to look closer at the new found Quincy. It was a young handsome man same age as Haschwald. He had a blond shoulder-length hair and green eyes. He looked with interest at the couple, especially at Haschwald, who attracted guy's attention at first sight.
"Hi! I am Will. Nice to meet you."-young man smiled to Haschwald.-"Is she your girlfriend?"
"What? No. Why do you ask?"-Haschwald surprised to such unexpected question.
"What a strange guy."-Bambietta thought and then told their new acquaintance about who they really were and why they were here.
"So I will have a lot of problems, if I stay here?"-Will asked.
"Yes. I think we should take you to Vandenreich."-Haschwald replied.
"Vande.. what?"-Will asked.
"I will explain on the way. I can already feel the reiatsu of Shinigamis coming here. Come on."-Haschwald said and hurried to leave.
While they were going to the house, from which they had to return to Vandenreich, Haschwald and Bambietta explained to Will everything he should know about the place, to which they were heading.
"So, I can stay with you guys? That's good. Actually, I have arrived to this town a couple of days ago and don't have place to live yet."-Will said.
"Well, in fact, His Majesty will decide whether you will stay with us or not."-Haschwald said.
"Majesty? Is that a Middle Ages or what?"-Will laughed.
"You really should watch your tongue, when we will get back to Vandenreich. And don't forget to show respect to His Majesty. Otherwise, you will regret it."-Haschwald warned.
When Quincies returned to Vandenreich, two Stern Ritters took Will to the throne room, where their guest was talking with the Emperor about something for a while.
"I hope, he won't say anything wrong."-Haschwald said to Bambietta.
Then they saw how Will left the throne room.
"So? How was it?"-Bambietta asked.
"He said that I can join your army."-Will said joyfully and then suddenly embraced Haschwald's arm.-"Haschwald-san, don't you mind to show me the castle?"
"Eh, fine.. if you let me go."-Haschwald said confusedly and freed his arm.
"What a pushy guy."-Bambietta thought, looking at the two leaving Quincies.
A couple of days later when Haschwald and the Emperor were walking through the corridor, His Majesty asked the blond Quincy how their new soldier was doing.
"Looks like he feels somehow unsure among us. He tries to keep closer to me and following me everywhere. I have been helping him with many things lately, so he should feel himself like at home now. At least I hope so."-Haschwald said.
The Emperor stopped and embraced Haschwald.
"You are so caring, Haschwald."-Juha Bach adjusted Haschwald's hair and then kissed him.-"I am sure our new soldier will cope with everything by himself now. No need to help him anymore."
"As you say, Your Majesty."-Haschwald replied and then suddenly noticed some fleeting shadow not far away from them behind the corner.
"Is something wrong, Haschwald?"-Juha Bach asked, hugging his soldier tighter.
"No, nothing."-Haschwald said, embracing the Emperor too.
During the next following days Haschwald wasn't bothered by Will anymore, but the blond Quincy knew that the newbie is still somewhere nearby.
One day Haschwald headed to the throne room to talk with the Emperor about his work. But he didn't find His Majesty there. Haschwald was already going to leave, but then he suddenly heard approaching voices nearby. He recognized the Emperor's voice and the other one belonged to Will. The intonation, with which newbie Quincy was speaking with the Emperor, surprised Haschwald a bit. For unknown reason the blond Quincy suddenly decided to hide behind one of the pillars and listen to their talk.
Looks like Will was talking something about his past. When the two Quincies were walking near the pillar, Haschwald could hear every word, but when the Emperor reached his throne and sat on it, the blond Quincy was able to hear only part of the speech.
Haschwald thought and decided that it was impolitely to listen to their talk and wanted to leave unnoticeably. He looked last time at the two Quincies and his eyes widened. Haschwald was standing in one place like petrified, watching spellbound at the Quincy leader and newbie soldier.
Will put his knee on the throne, moved closer to the Emperor and leaned over him. Haschwald didn't want to watch at this anymore and turned away. Suddenly the blond Quincy felt weakness, so he leaned against the pillar and stood like that for some time, still unable to believe in what he just saw.
"Your Majesty.. why..?"-Haschwald thought in despair.
When the blond Quincy decided to look at the two Quincies again, there was no one in the throne room. Haschwald sighed heavily and headed to his room. He felt awfully exhausted and didn't want to see anyone today.
On the next morning Haschwald was in the dining room along with other Stern Ritters. He had no appetite at all, but Bambietta was too pushy, so he had no choice but to keep her a company. Quincy girl was eating and chattering with Cang in the same time. But then she noticed that Haschwald wasn't in the mood to eat.
"Did something happen?"-she asked.
"No."-Haschwald replied.
Suddenly he heard a familiar voice nearby.
"Is it free here? Can I sit near you, Haschwald-san?"-Will with a tray in his hands appeared near them and before Haschwald could answer, he sat near him.
Bambietta immediately started to chat with Will and Haschwald tried not to look in newbie soldier's direction. The blond Quincy returned to his gloomy musings, waiting for Will to leave, but then suddenly something in their talk attracted his attention.
"Hey, you are looking rather miserable today. What's wrong?"-Bambietta asked and then remembered something.-"Come to think of it, yesterday I saw you walking together with His Majesty. Don't tell me that you said a wrong thing and His Majesty did something to you."
"No, it's not so."-Will replied.
He tried to smile but everyone noticed that he was acting rather unsurely, and it seemed like this topic was unpleasant to him. Will tried to talk about something else, but when Bambietta started to ask him about yesterday event again, he said that he is busy and hurried to leave.
"I wonder if something bad happened to him."-Bambietta said.-"We warned him but looks like he got into trouble after all."
"This can't be. Now it looks like His Majesty makes him to act like yesterday by force."-Haschwald thought and his mood got spoiled even more.
During the whole day Haschwald was in his gloomy thoughts and tried to avoid the meeting with the Emperor. He didn't know what to say to His Majesty and wasn't sure if the Emperor will explain his actions to him or not.
"Probably, he won't listen to me."-Haschwald thought sadly.-"After all he can do everything he wants with his soldiers."
However, on the next day Haschwald decided to talk to the Emperor after all. He went through the corridor, wondering, where His Majesty could be at the moment, when he suddenly saw the Emperor and Will together again ahead. Haschwald turned around and quickly went away. He was not going to look at it anymore. He had enough the day before.
"Why did His Majesty turn away from me? Does he no longer love me? Maybe I did something wrong?"-Haschwald thought in despair.
Later that day the blond Quincy met the Emperor in the corridor but before Quincy leader could talk to him, Haschwald hurried to leave. But His Majesty managed to stop him.
"What's wrong, Haschwald? You were avoiding me recently. Did something happen?"-Juha Bach asked.
"And what do you think about it, Your Majesty?"-Haschwald replied evasively, trying not to look at the Emperor.
"Actually, I hoped to get the answer from you."-Juha Bach said.-"Tell me what happened, Haschwald."
"You should know better than me, Your Majesty."-Haschwald replied with sorrow and then looked right into the Emperor's eyes.-"It seems you really like that new solder."
"Listen, Haschwald.."-Juha Bach said and tried to embrace the blond Quincy.
But Haschwald quickly stepped away and used Hirenkyaku to leave. He no longer wanted to listen to anything and just wanted to be left alone. He moved through the various corridors and stopped only after he reached the castle roof. There Haschwald finally could recover his breath. He went to the balustrade and leaned on it. He was staying like that for some time but then he heard steps nearby. Haschwald turned to that direction. He expected to see the Emperor, but instead of him he saw Will near himself.
"There you are, Haschwald-san. I was searching for you."-Will said.
"What do you need? I am not in the mood to talk right now."-Haschwald replied tiredly.
"Is it because of your so called Majesty?"-Will asked.
"It's not your business."-Haschwald said, then glanced quickly at Will.-"Although, if he was forcing you..."
"Huh?"-Will suddenly laughed.-"What are you talking about, Haschwald-san? In fact it was me, who seduced him and that man gladly responded to my flirt."
"What?"-Haschwald felt lie in man's words but still was a bit surprised by his insolent reply.-"But why?"
"I did it because I wanted you to see what kind of person your beloved Emperor really is. Now do you understand it, Haschwald-san? And you were dating with such unfaithful man."-Will said.
"How did you find out about us?"-Haschwald asked.
"I saw how you were making out in the corridor. Tell me, Haschwald-san, why did you choose that man? You deserve a better partner. Me, for example."-Will smiled.
Haschwald was really surprised by newbie soldier's words.
"Oh, come on. Don't tell me that you still didn't get that I love you, Haschwald-san. When we met in that town.. It was a love from the first sight."-Will smiled again.
"As for me, I feel absolutely nothing to you. And I hope, you don't expect that I will fall in love with you, after you ruined our relations with His Majesty."-Haschwald said, giving a cold glance to Will.
"But why do you say so? Don't tell me it's because you still love that man."-Will said.
"And what if yes?"-Haschwald replied.
"Even after you saw what a nasty person he can be? But why? I don't understand. Such detestable man as him doesn't deserve to be with you."-Will said.
"Don't dare to abuse His Majesty or I will never forgive you."-Haschwald said angrily.
"But, Haschwald-san.."-Will said and stepped very close to the blond Quincy.
"Leave me alone!"-Haschwald said irritably and pushed Will away with force.
After that Haschwald quickly headed back to his room. While he was running down the stairs, he didn't even notice the Emperor, who was staying near the door leading to the roof all this time and heard every word.
Haschwald returned to his room and locked the door. Then tired blond Quincy lay down on his bed and closed his eyes. Some time has passed and then someone knocked the door. Haschwald didn't move.
"Haschwald, open the door."-the Emperor's voice was heard from behind the door.
The blond Quincy still didn't hurry to rise from the bed.
"I know that you are there. You know, it's not very polite to make your Emperor wait."-Juha Bach said.
Haschwald sighed, then went to the door and opened it.
"Maybe you will stop to run and hide from me? It's rather silly. Don't you think so?"-Juha Bach said, entering the room.
The Emperor sat on the bed and looked closely at Haschwald.
"I presume we can finally talk about what happened."-the Emperor said.-"Actually, I heard everything about what you two were talking on the roof. That rookie had a rather cruel plan, hadn't he?"
"Maybe. But what if he wasn't lying and you really liked him?"-Haschwald replied.
"Why are you saying such things, Haschwald?"-the Emperor became upset.-"I have already told you. I love only you and no one else. Whom do you believe more?"
"But then why you were with that guy?"-Haschwald asked, feeling deep resentment.-"You often jealous me to others, Your Majesty. You don't want me to date with someone else. So, if you really love me, as you say, then, in such case, I think, I have the same right as you to jealous you to others. Or, maybe, I am mistaken and it isn't so..."
"You are saying everything right, Haschwald. But maybe you will finally listen to me?"-Juha Bach said and pulled Haschwald by the hand, making him sit near him.-"When you brought that guy to Vandenreich, I immediately noticed that he was planning something. Especially after he started to follow you everywhere. So, I decided to find out what was on his mind and played along, pretending that I am interested in him too, when he tried to seduce me. But I didn't want you to find out about it, because you wouldn't like that plan."
Haschwald watched doubtfully at the Emperor.
"You don't believe me?"-Juha Bach asked.
"I am confused and don't know in which things I can believe now and in which not."-Haschwald replied.
"I am saying the truth. I think we both guessed subconsciously about each others pretence."-Juha Bach said and looked into Haschwald's eyes.-"Do you really think that I would leave you because of some unknown lad?"
"I believe you, Your Majesty. But I think you sould have told me about your plans..."-Haschwald said sadly.-"I think I have a right to know about such things..."
"I didn't want to make you worry. Besides, you wouldn't like it in any case."-the Emperor said.-"But as result everything went even worser.. I am sure you felt awfully because of that. Sorry, Haschwald, it was all my fault."
The blond Quincy felt a bit better after the Emperor's words.
"And what will you do with that guy now?"-Haschwald asked.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I have already got rid of him."-Juha Bach smirked but then noticed Haschwald's glance.-"Don't blame yourself in his death, Haschwald. I hope you don't think that I will allow the person, who weaves plots against me and my Grandmaster, to stay among us?"
After these words the Emperor embraced Haschwald carefully.
"Well, are you still angry at me?"-he asked.
"I don't think so."-Haschwald said.-"You still love me, right?"
"Of course."-the Emperor replied and kissed Haschwald on the cheek softly.
"Then can I ask you for a favor, Your Majesty?"-Haschwald asked a bit unsurely.
"Sure. What do you want?"-Juha Bach asked, stroking Haschwald on the head.
"I would like you to not hide anything from me since today. So that such event never happened again."-Haschwald said.-"Can you promise it to me, Your Majesty?"
"I promise, Haschwald."-the Emperor said and pressed his soldier tighter to himself.