Three days after Wolfram's arrival at Spitzberg Castle, a runner arrived at Blood Pledge Castle with a letter from Stoffel. Yuuri was not around to receive it directly -- he and Conrad had left four days before to continue the search for Wolfram, despite Günter's vehement protests that the king needed to stay at the castle and govern his country, and that soldiers could do the searching just as well. The icy glare the pale-haired advisor had received in return for that had stopped him dead in his tracks, and for a moment he'd thought the Maou had made an appearance. After that, he had stopped objecting, and simply watched as Yuuri, Conrad, and a handful of soldiers galloped out of the gates yet again.

It was Günter who met the rider from Stoffel, and he and Gwendal read the missive together. As soon as he'd finished the last word, Gwendal straightened with a growl, crumpling the paper in his fist. "How… How dare he? Using Wolfram against us? Against His Majesty? I never thought he would be so insolent!"

Günter watched him pace. "It's a bold move," he agreed, "but a shrewd one. Stoffel knows how highly His Majesty values his friends. And since Wolfram is… was… His Majesty's fiancé, I'm sure he's hoping the value will be even greater."

The dark-haired soldier ground his teeth in frustration. "So what do we do? Just give in to Stoffel's demands? I refuse!"

The other sighed. "Well, we certainly can't tell His Majesty about this…"

"Tell me what?"

Both men jumped and whipped around to see Yuuri standing in the doorway, dark eyes glittering, his hand resting lightly on Morgif's hilt, with Conrad and Yozak standing behind him. "Tell me what?" the young king repeated.

Swallowing, Günter stood and took the crumpled letter from Gwendal's hand, offering it to Yuuri. The boy took it and began to read, his expression darkening with each word he took in. Then he unconsciously mimicked Gwendal, crushing the note in his fist, eyes blazing. "That bastard… He's got Wolfram!" Clenching Morgif's hilt so tightly his knuckles turned white, the king turned on his heel and stalked back out, heading immediately back for his horse.

"Y-your Majesty!" Günter and Gwendal hurried after him. "You aren't thinking of--"

"Of course I am!" Yuuri growled as he swung up onto Ao's back. "That bastard has Wolfram, and I'm going to go get him back. Come on, Conrad, Yozak!!" He pulled his stallion's head around and clattered out of gate, Conrad, Yozak, and their soldiers hard on his heels.

Wolfram… I'm coming… Wait for me, Wolfram! I'm going to make everything right…

AN: Gomeeeen! I'm so sorry this is so short! My only excuse is that it's a Yuuri chapter. Heh... Anyway, thank you again, everyone, for all your support! We're closing in on the end now!