DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor wish to appear to be the owner of Knight Hunters/Weiss Kruez or any merchandise related thereof.

AN: This took longer to post than I would have liked and I'm sorry. This is it though, it's been a long journey but this is finally over! I hope you all enjoy reading the last bit of this! Thank you all for reading and leaving reviews! I has been much appreciated!

ONE MONTH LATER

"This is better than I expected, but…" Schuldig frowned

"No buts, it looks fine," Omi giggled as he looked at the small cottage.

"A month Omi," Schuldig sighed, "and this was the best we could do? I left a large beautiful hunting home for this tiny shack?"

"It's more than a shack and we can't draw attention to ourselves," Omi opened the door and stepped inside. The cottage had been abandoned, deep in the woods and unnoticeable from the country road. Omi had found it on accident while foraging for nuts and berries, "I thought you'd be happy. It's bigger than all the inns we had been staying at and it's nicer than camping on the ground."

Schuldig stepped inside and had to admit it wasn't that bad. It needed a lot of cleaning and probably repairs, but the front room was spacious and it had a kitchen area with an intact stove and three additional rooms. Out the back door was an overgrown patch of land that appeared to have once been a small garden and a tiny lake that had a stream running into it. They could bathe there and had water for boiling, drinking and cooking. Really, Schuldig realized, they couldn't have bought a more suitable place. Though he had never been in a position where he had to till the land and clean for himself there was something very exciting about the idea of learning beside Omi.

He turned around and reached out for him and Omi took his hand and stepped into the circle of his arms. He was smiling and Schuldig was pleased his little one was happy. He was pleased he could be the one to share in his new stage in life.

"We're going to do swell here," Schuldig whispered.

"I know," Omi said confidently as he got on his tippy toes and gave Schuldig a kiss to his cheek.

The ex noble smiled softly, they hadn't been able to go beyond hand holding, hugs and soft kisses, but he still enjoyed them just the same. He was falling in love with Omi and it wasn't as scary as he thought it might be. He wanted to tell him, but no time ever seemed romantic enough, so he was waiting. He just knew there would be a perfect moment someday…they had all the time in the world.

Yohji was standing in Aya's room looking down at himself. He was dressed finely in an ivory robe fit for a noble. He lifted his arms and flipped his hands, covered with silk gloves with gold thread stitching. He touched his hair and was amazed by how soft it was and it smelled wonderful. The rich fabrics enveloping his body and the pleasant scents rubbed into his skin made him feel regal, but also like a fraud. He had not come from a class so grand and all of this felt strange to him. He was almost embarrassed to be dressed in such a fine way; surely they would laugh at him. Surely they would be able to tell he was not of noble birth. He would be mocked, ridiculed and cast aside. And what of Aya's reputation? The foreign prince sullying the good name of Weiss with his harem whore…

"Shall you speak to me?" Aya walked up to stand in front of Yohji, startling him, "You look troubled."

Yohji swept his eyes over Aya and took in his dark suit, riding boots and long violet cape. Meeting his eyes again he saw the silver circlet twinkle in the candlelight. Aya looked utterly beautiful. He was truly royalty.

Yohji let out a long sigh, "This is absurd."

Aya cocked a brow, "How so?"
"I don't look convincing."

"What are you trying to convince people of?"
"That I belong here," Yohji waved his hand between them, "that I belong here with you."

"I've already decided that," Aya looked confused.

Yohji huffed, irritated, "That is not enough! The royal court knows who I am! They will surely disapprove and their ire will spread throughout the kingdom!" He took a deep breath and noticed the nonchalant expression on Aya's face, "Don't you care?" He sighed, looking worried now, "You are the sole heir to the throne...you won't get another chance to find favor with your people. Either you inspire their loyalty...or they will kill you. Do you really want to risk a civil war by escorting me to this gala?"

Aya heard Yohji, could see the concern in his verdant eyes, could feel the fear radiating off of his body, but he still wasn't moved. He respected where his lover's mind lay, but he couldn't entertain the thought. Aya couldn't say it out loud -not yet- but he knew his life would be miserable without Yohji. Either he and his lover was accepted or he would just depart from Weiss. He wasn't going to leave Yohji's side and he wasn't going to hide him away as though he was ashamed of him.

Aya reached up and smoothed Yohji's hair, "Tonight you will accompany me. I will announce you and I will gauge the reaction. If it looks disapproving despite my stature, we shall leave tonight and make a home elsewhere. Let his father's brother vie for the throne, I honestly don't care," he gave Yohji a curt nod.

Yohji smiled, chuckling a bit a Aya's stubbornness, "As much as I love the idea of you gallantly defending me to the masses, I'm not about to let you ruin your status," he looked sweetly at him, trying to convey that his words were not born from fear, but from love, "I have been considering it while I was getting groomed and pampered tonight and we cannot go through with this," he shook his head, "And while you say you do not care I know you do and because of this...I can't allow you to destroy yourself. Destroy this kingdom. Your uncle is a brute, you cannot leave Weiss to burn under his wicked rule."

Aya frowned, and though he loathed to admit it, Yohji was right. It was foolish to believe he could present Yohji as his lover, on equal footing as himself, and assume no one would challenge him. Deep down he had known this was a risky plan, still though...he wanted to let everyone know that he was happy. It was selfish, now that he was really thinking about it, and he felt embarrassed that they had made it this far. One hour before the gala and the two of them were changing the plan.

The prince looked up at him, "Do you understand what you are saying? What you are willing to sacrifice just so I can remain in the royal line?"

"Yes," Yohji took Aya's hand, "I'm asking you to marry some woman you don't love. Bed her and have her bear your child. Present her as your queen and smile to her, your court and your people..." he stepped closer and squeezed the hand he held between his, "then come to me..." he took a deep breath and, with a heavy heart said, "in the harem."

Aya closed his eyes tight and shook his head. Sure most royal marriages weren't formed in love, so he wouldn't be partaking in something immoral, but it saddened him that he was so close to being with the one he truly loved and he was being forced to hide. He shook his head again and let out a long sigh. Yohji pulled him into an embrace and held him, rubbing his hands up and down his back. All he had wanted since being kidnapped was his freedom, but now, when the opportunity had arisen he was more than willing to give it up. Aya was his one true love. Now, all he wanted was for his prince to be safe.

Aya lifted his head and nodded, "A fantasy...a mere fantasy..."

"My freedom was the fantasy," Yohji smiled, "not my love for you."

"Nor mine for you," Aya touched the side of Yohji's face, "can I not change your mind?" He whispered softly, trying vainly one last time.

Yohji shook his head, "No...your place is here, as king when your time comes. My place is in your heart and in your bed and I can best fulfill my role there."

"In the harem..." Aya sighed, upset but resigned.

Yohji nodded, confident and with love, "The harem."