Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to Tomo Takabayashi, Geneon, and lots of other people who aren't me.

For Better or Worse

"Hey! How did your date go with Miya?" my mother asks excitedly as soon as I walk through the door. I smile brightly.

"Oh, it went fabulously!" I announce happily.

"Wonderful! I'm so glad you guys are getting along so well!" my mother clasps her hands in front of her chest, obviously lost in dreams of a happy wedding between us. I shake my head at her dreamy expression and escape upstairs to finish packing up. I only have-a quick glance at my watch- twenty minutes to completely get everything tucked away in the waterproof chest that I blew my whole allowance on just that morning.

When I open the door to my bedroom I jump slightly when I notice him sitting on my bed. I scowl at him in annoyance, any previous awe at his presence completely washed away by the flash of irritation I feel at seeing him so soon. He's -glance- eighteen minutes early.

"Don't you ever knock?" I grumble and shut the door behind me.

"You weren't here, it's not like you would have answered anyway," he pointed out reasonably.

"Hardly the point," I mutter as I begin to unbutton my dress shirt.

"I understand your date with Miya went well," he changed the subject.

"It did. It went really well. That doesn't mean you can just make yourself at home in my room anytime you want. I don't care how dead or glorified you are. It's rude." I finished in a disapproving tone and tossed my shirt towards my hamper.

The Great One inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"Fine. Next time I'll wait downstairs with your mother."

I pale at the thought. Mom entertaining a several centuries dead demon king? I can see it now.

'You're a demon, and you're dead! That' so wonderful! Does that mean you have two sets of wings? Can I see them? Pretty pleeease?'

and

"It's ok, you're welcome to hang out in my room while you wait," I respond weakly.

"Glad we understand each other. Now, you've made your decision, I take it?" he asked in a carefully neutral voice.

"Hey, I still have-" I check again "ten minutes before I have to answer that question. Besides, I wanted to talk to you about the whole marriage thing. Look can I try to make a deal with you before you go off demanding answers about really serious life altering decisions and whatnot?"

His lips quirk in amusement, but there's a curious glint in his eyes. Good, I have his attention.

"I will listen to this 'deal' you would like to propose. If I don't accept the proposal you will have to make your choice, and then you must agree to abide by your decision. Agreed?"

"Agreed." I nod to show him that I'm serious. Please, please let this work!

"Here's the deal," I begin. Then I launch into my carefully rehearsed speech that I have been working on all day. While I speak I carefully finish placing things I want to take back with me. When I am finished he sits there staring at me with his head cocked in consideration. He's seriously thinking about it.Ok, this is a good thing. I check my watch again. One minute left.

"Very well. I accept," he concedes graciously.

'Yes!'

"Ok then, I'm ready to go," I grin excitedly. I'm a bit startled when he grins right back.

Now, next on the list is talking with Lord Bastion, as soon as I get back. Then I'll be home free. Oooh, wait, there's still Wolfram to talk to. Ok, so I'm not really free at all. But still, he should be easy enough to appease right?

Sigh.

Don't answer that.

Finally, I'm back and I landed in the gardens of Byington Castle. How's that for convenience? Shinou's already starting to keep his end of the bargain. Luckily Wolfram agreed to set up the meeting with Bastion so aside from his questions at the fountain he hasn't had a chance to corner me before I work everything out.

Soon, it will all be taken care of.

I tug nervously at my jacket when I reach the door to Bastion's drawing room where the meeting will be held, and ignore the suspicious glare that Wolfram is casting in my direction. Honestly I don't know why he doesn't trust me. I'm just glad he's still trapped by his promise to behave. Hm, maybe I should have him make that promise every time we go somewhere? But then he'd probably just start stowing away and following after us and what good would that do?

I go inside after the soldier announces my presence, like I need an introduction when I already set up the appointment. Psh, please. I have to ask my guys to leave, pointing out that this was a private audience between Lord Sigismund and myself. Sigismund is looking pleased.

Ouch. That look Wolf's giving me… he is definitely not happy about that. Neither is Conrad or Gwendal, although probably not for the same reason. I send a pleading look at Conrad and he seems to understand me, in that way that he does. I can tell he doesn't like it, but he's willing to back me up on this. The door closes behind them.

I smile at the man sitting behind the desk.

Yeah, this is all I have, cuz I started playing ClockTower 3. Sorry, bout that. This should wrap up within the next chapter or so.