Chapter 26:

FOR HIS HIGHNESS' EYES ONLY

Gwendal's POV

Gwendal walked through the halls of the castle, picking up his pace with every hour that passed. He'd been looking for Yozak for several hours and was beginning to lose his patience. I need to talk to him and find out if Conrart and Bauer's stories were told the same for both of us. I don't have time for this!

At some point in the search, his highness began tagging along, babbling frantically about the two suspects being innocent. Gwendal wasn't very interested, though, and only paid a portion of his attention.

"Are you even listening to me", the king screeched, as they turned the corner, beginning another walk through the same halls.

Maybe I missed something. I should go back through and look again, who knows where that idiot is.

"Gwendal!"

Who knows what he's doing. He seems to be good at everything but thinking.

His majesty grabbed the demon's shirt, slowing them down since Gwendal had to pull the king's weight, as he walked. "Wait up! We need to talk! You're persecuting the wrong guy, here!"

Maybe he's around Conrart's cell. The two have been close since childhood. Maybe it was a bad idea to have him be the one to interrogate my brother...

"Gwendal, I said wait!" As he was walking, a strong rush of wind pushed his legs forward, sending them out from under him. He fell on his back and... on the king, who groaned several "ouch"es and scat out from underneath him.

The paler-haired demon sighed out his frustration and sat up, not even bothering to turn and look at his king, for fear he might lose his patience and snap. "What is it, your highness? I'm busy - can't you go bother someone else, for a change?!"

"You see, uh", his majesty muttered, nervously. Gwendal finally looked at his master, though he didn't bother unfurrowing his brows. Not that the king could tell, since he was blind. He poked his fingers together, looking like a child who'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "It's just... I've already talked to both Conrad and Diederick but neither of them seem to be guilty and I honestly don't think they'd betray me intentionally, so..."

The full-blood stood abruptly and began walking away from the king. "I don't have time for this", he growled. "Me and Yozak will deal with this. You don't have enough experience to do so and should keep your nose where it belongs!"

Gunter's POV

Gunter sat on the floor of his office, washing his highness' clothes with a washboard in a tub, and fantasizing about what it would be like for his adorable master to solely rely on him. As he began to swoon, he slapped his cheeks to wake himself from his daydream. Now now, Gunter! Don't think like that! It will only cause trouble for his highness!

He scrubbed faster and with his eyes closed, making bubbles and water pour out and onto the floor. It wasn't until he heard the sound of wings fluttering into the room that he finally opened his eyes and paused in his chosen chore. A messenger bird perched on the windowsill with a slightly thick paper tied around it's leg.

Gunter untied it and unfolded the paper. It seemed to be only one piece of paper, folded several times. On the side most visible, someone had written "For his highness' eyes alone".

Yuuri's POV

The king dragged himself down the hall, moping in failure and despair. Aw, man... I couldn't even get Gwendal to listen to me... He sighed heavily before straightening up dramatically and puffing up his chest in confidence. You know what? I don't need permission to bring Conrad out of his cell! He's family and I'm the king! I'll just take him out - it's not like they can really do anything about it, right?

Smiling brightly, the maou continued to walk, allowing his guard to guide him to Conrad's cell. Once they'd made it, he walked in and immediately announced with a cheerful tone, "Good news, Conrad! Gwendal said you can come out! Though, the investigation is still going on-"

Conrad's POV

He smiled lovingly at his adorably rebellious master. "You're planning to break me out, aren't you?"

Yuuri blushed vibrantly before shaking his head and smiling, speaking nonchalantly, "Well, he never said not to!" The boy unlocked the taller man's cuffs and tugged at his sleeve. "Come on! You can hang out in my office!"

The royal guard didn't budge even slightly and chuckled a suppressed laughter before saying, "Your highness, I can't do that. You know how angry Gwendal will be when he finds out - and he will find out."

Yuuri knew how to get past rules, when it came to Conrad. It always came down to one thing - cuteness. Although the guard hadn't said so aloud, he could never deny his highness, once he'd set his mind to something - he was just too cute and everyone thought so. Even Gwendal, though he would never admit it and still was capable of saying no. "Please~", his majesty begged. "It's too boring without you around and no one can keep me company like you can!"

It was as though an arrow had gone through the guard's heart and he froze with shock. I can't deny him...

Conrad's POV

The guard leaned against the bookcase in his highness' office and sighed with worry, closing his eyes. What have I gotten myself into...? His majesty sat at his desk, signing papers with a determined grin on his face. Though he could no longer see, like Julia, he could read just by brushing his hands across the page. When those he knew heard of this, they were all shocked immensely. His highness is full of surprises.

The door to the study bursting opened tore him from his thoughts abruptly and he was almost frightened to see his brother. Maybe not for him, but for his highness. Surely he would be in serious trouble.

"Your highness", Gwendal barked. "Please don't tell me you-"

He stopped sharply and turned his deepening glare to the soldier, who's temple began to sweat with nerves. "Ah, geez. Here we go", the king groaned. Conrart had to stifle a chuckle, at that, as his brother began his lecture on why the king should never do as he did. Not that Conrad disagreed - he would probably be slightly annoyed with his highness if he were in Gwendal's shoes. Of course, that's a difference case...

"Are you listening to me, Conrart?! You're at fault here, as well! Your job is to keep him out of trouble, not guilt him into it!"

"I'm sorry, Gwendal", Conrad smiled. "But his highness' heart is just too big - I couldn't say no."

"I-It's Yuuri", the Maou stuttered, blushing furiously.

Conrad bowed, despite his master not having sight to see, and responded obediently, engraving his love into his words. "Yes, Yuuri."

The head of the Voltaire house growled furiously and clenched his hands into fists, before stepping forward and opening his mouth, as if to begin his lecture. Before he could utter a sound, though, Gunter burst through the door, sending him to the ground, on his face.

"Your highness", Gunter screeched, dramatically. "You have a letter! A letter! It seems important!"

A letter...?

(Omg, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to leave you all without the answer! ;o; The truth is, I had this all planned out and was planning to make the scene in the cell 300 words and the scene in the office 300 words, totaling 1,000 after the first two scenes. But then I got carried away... xD I love details! I really wanted the truth to be a surprise, though, so next chapter will mostly be like a filler - filler - filler - answer.

Can anyone guess who the spy might be? c;

Honestly, I have the revealing scene written out already (This chapter title is actually apart of the letter), but I don't want to JUST upload that, since it's only about 2-300 words. 'Tis why fillers... BUT INTERESTING FILLERS! I hope... xD)