Just as he was about to leave Murata was spotted by a patrol coming in.

"Hey kid who are you what are you doing here?"

Putting on the most innocent face and sad face he could he said, "My mother had been in a very brief relationship with some man and only learned she was pregnant with me a few months after he left the last time. She died of a mysterious illness a few weeks ago. She told me he was a criminal and most likely lives here. I was looking around to see if I could maybe see if I could find anyone who resembles me."

"So what's his name?"

"Mother told me his name was El Diablo, but that he rarely responded to it so it was probably not his real name. She could never get him to get their picture painted together so all I have is this rough sketch that she did." At that Murata held up a very Picasso-ish like drawing.

The guards reared back, "Ah sorry kid, but I know one guy by that name but he's a mean son of a bitch. Not exactly daddy material."

'Great, I never expected there to actually be any one by that name.'

Both were hoping to discourage the kid not wanting him any closer as he had said mysterious illness and they wanted no part of it.

Murata then put on a sad face and moved his horse intentionally a little closer and he knew he had them spooked when they moved their horses further away.

"I guess I'll just have to forget it then. I was hoping to at least meet my father. You don't need to fear, the doctors don't think I caught mom's illness."

One leaned over to the other, "What should we do? Should we tell El Diablo about this kid?"

The other whispered back, "Are you stupid? What are you going to be the one who dares approach El Diablo just to tell him some brat who might be infected with god knows what, is here claiming to be his kid! I personally want no part of it. If we let in every brat that shows up claiming to be someone's kid or relative of some kind to anyone in this town we'd be overrun with rug rats and people. Then soon people would be trying to turn this into a town full of law bidding citizens. Then deeming we're no longer a threat the law would just come waltzing in and arrest us."

The first one turned and said, "Yeah, look there ain't no doctors here and we ain't exactly kid people."

Then the second added, "Not to mention the last time El Diablo was told he had a kid here he nearly shot the messenger and never even met with the brat."

"So it's best if you just move along."

"Very well. I suppose it was just a wishful dream. I have some traveling companions I must get back too, they are probably worried." Murata then bowed and left thankful they didn't follow. He decided to speed up to a full gallop in case they did tell El Diablo or someone else possibly the gang leader or second in command of his being here. And they decided to come 'investigate' this mystery kid.

'Good thing I set up an alibi in the last town by asking a lot of questions, when we stopped for supplies. Just in case it was needed. This way if they do decide to investigate they will have heard all about me in that town. I even have the local doctor there spooked thinking I have some strange illness. I simply described the symptoms of chicken pox to him and he practically fainted. So the odds are if they do investigate they'll hear all about me and Lord von Bielefeld's temper and attitude towards me and no more questions will be asked. I had a feeling it would come to this, hearing Lord von Bielefeld didn't really have a big plan except we would all go searching, leaving a bigger chance of getting caught. Good thing my pack wasn't as full of crystals as Lord von Bielefeld would have wanted it. Otherwise they'd have defiantly noticed and been suspicious and not believed my story. I also knew that the pictures I had Lord von Bielefeld make just might come in handy.'

~Flashback~

Yesterday after setting up camp, Murata approach Wolfram with a small drawing pad he had packed along with a pencil.

"Say Lord von Bielefeld, why don't you draw some portraits? It's a shame you didn't bring you paints but you could draw some thing. We all know how talented you are."

Wolfram grabbed the pad and paper "Of course, everyone knows I'm extremely talented."

'Not to mention modest.'

Wolfram then thrust a couple out to him. "Here, they're not as good without my paints. Why do you want them?"

Murata's simply smile, "Why wouldn't I want a picture drawn by my new husband."

Wolfram eyed him suspiciously but not being able to think of a reason why his pictures would be used for anything he simply said, "Well don't go selling them. Everyone knows how valuable they are."

Everyone had to keep from laughing as they all knew that no one would want them much less pay for them. But no one had the guts to dare tell Wolfram that.

~End flashback~

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Waltorana was waiting impatiently for Taka to show up with his tea and his lunch, when he heard a knock on the door.

'Finally!' the man thought. 'Taka is going to get an earful for being so late!' "Enter"

The door opened and Waltorana was shocked to see not the tall skinny dark brown hair of Taka, but of a tall average size guy with green hair enter. "Levi?"

"I'm sorry your lunch is so late Master but the cooks failed to make sure your special lunch tea was in stock. I've heard about Taka's insolence by trying to invade your privacy. One of the maids happened by and heard you yelling at him and then caught him listening at the door. So as punishment I sent him into town to collect the tea. Upon his return, I ordered him to help the maids air out the mattresses. It should take them a few days."

Waltorana smiled, "I always could depend on you far more than any other servant I've ever had. But are you sure you should be up? After all the reason I chose Taka as my assistant was because you've been ill."

"Thank you very much for your concern sir, but the doctor has assured me that the medicine he gave me should make me as good as new in a few days allowing me to travel again within the next month or so. If you wish for me to take over my old position you need but to ask."

"I shall keep that in mind. Until then I'd like you to handle my normal arrangements. I don't want you to overdo it."

"As you wish, but may I be so bold as to ask a question?"

Waltorana raised an eyebrow curious, it was rare for Levi to ever ask permission to ask a question. "You may. Please sit on my stool I don't want to lose my best servant."

Levi smiled and did as he was told. "Thank you, sir."

Apparently moving around so much was too much too soon and Waltorana noticed he was swaying slightly. "Now I'd like to ask if the rumor I heard that Sir Weller stole my beloved… I mean Lord Wolfram's fiancé away is true and forced him into an unbreakable marriage with Geika?"

Waltorana said nothing as he had always suspected that one of the biggest reasons Levi had remained by his side as his assistant was to be good enough that Waltorana would someday assign him to Wolfram, whom he often suspected he had a crush on as he was devastated when Wolfram announced he was officially moving to the castle to be with the new Maoh, his fiancé full time and didn't want or have need of a personal assistant. Of course they both knew Levi could never hope to have a relationship with Wolfram. The reason being that Wolfram is of noble blood and he is just a servant. Most everyone including Waltorana knew of his crush but of course the only person oblivious to it all was Wolfram himself.

"Yes, it's true."

"Well then may I ask if it's also true that the Maoh has never dated anyone before Sir Weller?"

"My spies have said they have heard this said, why what are you getting at?"

"Well sir, the reason the Maoh has gotten so attached and thinking he's in love with Sir Weller is because in his world no girl has ever talked to him. Then you sent a barrage of men and woman after him. That sir was a mistake."

"A mistake?! How dare you! And how dare you accuse me of having something to do with it!"

"Please be calm sir, I meant no disrespect and let's be honest the whole castle and theirs knows you were responsible."

Waltorana was still upset but sat back down and said, "Fine, let's say for the lack of argument that I did have something to do with this. Why do you believe this to have been a mistake? And how do you know no girl has ever spoken to him?"

"Quite simply put sir, the only thing that accomplished was to push the Maoh further into the arms of his protector not further apart. As for how I know of his life on earth that I will explain shortly."

Now Waltorana was intrigued, "What makes you so sure it didn't drive a small wedge between them?"

Levi sighed, "You were once engaged were you not?"

"Yes, and?"

"She had an ex-boyfriend whom she was still fond of correct?"

"What does this…"

"If you had proposed and her other boyfriends suddenly started charging what do you think she would do?"

Waltorana thought for a moment and said, "An ex did come and she turned him away saying she loved me…Oh I see. So all these people throwing themselves only drew them closer not apart I had not thought of it like that before."

Levi smiled, "Yes, sir. Now as to how I knew of the Maoh's earth life. Look at this." he then held up a small portrait of a beautiful girl with long red hair to her knees, "Her name is Lady Sayuka von Raina."

"She looks familiar…I just can't place her."

"She is the adopted daughter of Lord Tohma von Radford current ruler of the small country called Kurkenstand."

"Impossible! I have been friends with Tohma since we were children. Wolfram used to often play with his two children Kyohei and Aurora. I remember her now, but I thought she was one of the servant's children as she was rarely around. Why would he not tell me if she was adopted?"

"I don't know sir, but Lord Tohma is her adopted father. My family has worked for Lord Tohma for years. Lady Sayuka was rarely around as we were playmates I asked my mother and I was told she was sent to a boarding school far away. On one of the few times Lady Sayuka was around I asked her about her boarding school and she told me she wasn't in a boarding school that she went to school in another world to be near the future Maoh. She said the downside was that she wasn't allowed to talk to him unless spoken to and defiantly not allowed to date till after he became Maoh and her connection to both worlds could be revealed."

"Why would Tohma send her there but not have her be in touch with the Maoh?"

"I'm not even sure she herself knows sir. All I know is she has told me that by living in that world she was to someday to return to this world and dazzle the Maoh and be the perfect mate. She sends me letters when she's in this world. I was 17 when Lord Tohma sent me to be your servant. However I believe the true reason I was sent away was Lady Sayuka had told me in what we thought was private that she loved me. But apparently one of the servants overheard this and told Lord Tohma so he sent me away. She had said that I was the reason she always looked forward to returning to this world. But Lord Tohma could not afford to allow her to lose her heart to me. He needed her to understand she was meant only for the Maoh. However she was upset but eventually accepted it and started to send me letters when she was in this world."

"I see. A young man like Yuri-Heika whom my spies have said once was shy about same sex relations and now suddenly throwing all that away for Sir Weller. It is an interesting question as to what he'd do if suddenly a pretty girl were to appear before him with knowledge of his world and this world, good question indeed." Waltorana got up and walked over to the window.

"That I'm sure was Lord Tohma's initial thoughts. But I'm not sure if he would still want to after learning what the Maoh has done."

"Yes, I'm not sure Tohma would want to introduce such an innocent young girl to a whore like him."

"Sir, how can you say such a thing?"

"I recently went to visit to confirm the rumor and my first night there I was appalled to learn that he was spending the entire day shacking up and doing who knows what with his new pet Weller."

"Are you serious sir?"

"I'm afraid so. Of course naturally he denied it. But can you honestly say that you believe that they spent an entire day together talking and cuddling?"

Levi sighed and said, "No, I see your point. But sir, if you want to drive the Maoh and Sir Weller apart I believe introducing the Maoh to Lady Sayuka is the best way to do it."

"I hate to admit it but perhaps you are right. Have my carriage prepared and free Taka from what he's doing I want to meet with Tohma personally to discuss this."

"Yes sir, right away."

x-x-x-x-x

Meanwhile back at the castle the guards were still on high alert and Conrad had Yuri hidden in a special safe room.

"Conrad that was a gunshot wasn't it?"

"I'm not sure. I admit it sounded like one. But that's just not possible."

"Maybe we should go and look around? We've not heard anything else."

"No, we'll remain here for now. Perhaps it'd even be safer for you to return home. It will be a several more weeks before Geika and Wolfram return."

"What? No way! I want to stay here with you!"

Knowing it was one battle he'd lose he sighed and said, "All right."

At that Yuri smiled, then in a more serious tone asked, "Do you think Wolfram will ever accept Murata?"

Conrad sighed, "I honestly don't know Yuri. I know the crystals their looking for are to help perform a safe Blood and Fire ceremony but I believe if Wolfram would open himself up and try he might enjoy Geika's company."

"I don't understand it. When I proposed he rejected me, then after our duel he not only accepted me but never left me alone after that! Then he finally accepted the switch as permanent and worked with Yozak to help get us together. Then when I was depressed over your cancelling of our date he even pulled me aside and promised to talk to you about it." Yuri then blushed and said, "But in the end he didn't have to after you made that wonderful indoor picnic."

Conrad felt that would always be a small sore spot for him knowing he'd hurt Yuri like that but also happy to know that Yuri really had loved the picnic. "I believe part of the problem for Wolfram is he doesn't feel anything but distrust after what Geika did during the incident with the forbidden boxes. The reason he accepted you was your power. He was impressed to the point that in the beginning he mistook love for hero worship. Over time that changed and he genuinely fell for you."

Yuri sighed, "But Murata told me he can only boost my power that he has none of his own. So I guess they'll never get together."

Conrad smiled, "Don't worry Yuri, I'm sure they'll work it out."