AN:
Hello, I know that it's been a really looong time since I have updated GSQ. I do apologize for that but I promised myself that I will finish this long fanfic. Please bear with me as it might take awhile. I already half forgotten about this and how I wanted the story to progress. I'm slowly getting it back on track.
As I reviewed my past additions to this fic, I started editing some of its contents. (primarily spelling and misuse of certain words and scenarios) I hope you like it. I will also insert image links for imagination purposes along the way. Since FF doesn't support placing images mid chapters.
Please use this link to view image references since FF doesn't allow mid chapter images. Please also be reminded that all the photos in the pinterest link are NOT mine. All the credits goes to their original owners because they made really amazing photos that I can use for inspiration.
The board contains images of how I imagine Branwen's looks, Her Clothes etc. I will be continuously updating this together with the fic.
/leiiiriuuki/god-save-our-queen-story-board/
Disclaimer: I do not own Kyou Kara Maou and any of its characters. This story is made solely because I can't get enough of Conrart and Yuuri.
Yuuri's POV
After everything was settled, I met the medic again so that she could tend to my wounds. They made sure that I was fit to travel back to the covenant castle before we set out. Since I can't ride with my injured arm, I had to sit in front of Conrart's horse. The ride back to the castle took half a day and was mostly spent in comfortable silence. I can't help but wonder if the decision I made in the heat of the moment argument was beneficial for me and everyone in this country.
It was already evening when we got to the castle. We were greeted by a worried Guinter and several female attendants that would take care of me and bring me to my room. It's high time for a proper rest. After relieving myself of the fatigue, I heard a knock on my door. It was Guinter again together with Conrart. They told me that the coronation for me to succeed the throne will be held 2 days from now. I sighed at that but since I already gave my word, there is no turning back. All I can do is reside to my fate and await what's gonna happen next.
I spent the next few days practicing with my violin in the courtyard to relieve my stress and of course for the upcoming recital. There are also times where I would play catch with Conrart.
2DAYS LATER
"Uuugh, I can't believe it, why did it come to this?" I said as I stared at the marble corridor outside the guest room door, I put up with my nausea. I am wearing a white long sleeved polo with black blazers and the black recital pants. My hair is bun up that is held by delicate looking pearls.
"It couldn't be helped; it's because you declared that you were absolutely going to become the Queen." Conrart is grinning unlike the noble that he is, he is wearing his color brown tux with white embroidery on both sides of the chest, with arms crossed while leaning against a pillar.
"The coronation... I haven't seen a coronation before...If dad's parties count then it would be the same too" even so, his presence helps calm my system.
"Only one person can nominate you; the presenter, Mother."
Until a bit ago Günter was with us, too, but as usual he sang my praises and ran off to prepare the ceremony. He praised my uniform, and one more thing, the incident in the village.
"But I don't remember using so much water magic at all..."
I can't comment on a pinpoint of the downpour; when the village was extinguished it stopped like it never happened. When a group of magicians arrived from the capital city, the smoke was just going up from the smoldering trees and wheat. I only remember Brandon. After that, it cuts off to pure white. Even if I get grandiose praise about saving the country, it's hard to believe that I, a completely ordinary freshman, did it.
"As I explained to you, magical power is the soul's nature. Your Majesty, having the soul of the late Maoh, you obey the rules of the four elements with pleasure, without going through the trouble of taking the oath and such things."
Without anyone's consent, it seems Günter spread around my personal affairs. Conrart is a little bit more objective though.
"I think the place we rested on the way to the capital is suspicious. You and I drank water then. Though I don't understand magic because I don't have it, I can't help but feel that it had something to do with it."
"Don't worry about that."
It's a miracle that I didn't even remember myself. For some reason, I can't help but feel sad because I can't even remember the things that they believe that is true and from that, I don't even know if what they say about me is true. And it's sad.
He patted my shoulder and turned me so that he could look in my eyes_ his mouth parted to say something but no words came out. The worried look in his eyes tells me that he feels that something is bothering my mind; urging me to spill whatever's on it. I was about to but from the far side of the corridor, the blond with wavy hair comes running. The intense navy blue uniform suits him; the mazoku Prince Brat. With a sigh I mutter to this beautiful man. Both me and Conrart turned to face him.
"What with this plain design?" He said
"...Huh?"
I was essentially told immediately after that it was a design developed only for Her Majesty, and the black clothes suited me the most.
"There really aren't any shoulder straps or decorations? Do you seriously think it's ok for me to look poor if I'm going to become the Maoh?!" he argued
He glances here and there without looking at my face. It might be my imagination but his usually white, smooth cheeks were a slight red.
"Appearing without any treasure, don't embarrass my older brother and me!"
Before I could open my mouth to respond, Wolfram grabbed my shoulders and fastened a shiny golden decoration to me.
"Hey..."
"My uncle Bielefeld gave this to me when I was a child. It doesn't have any special origin, but it suits someone who hasn't gone out on the battlefield, let alone military merit. Anyway, considering Yuuri always cries, she's the wimpiest Queen in history."
"Don't call me a wimp~. And don't decide that I always cry! ~"
"All right, settle down." Conrart calmed us down.
When he says all that in unnaturally fast speech, Wolfram half-runs away. The present fastened to the left side of my chest is a gold bird with both wings spread. Conrart smugly gazes after his little brother's back.
"It seems Wolfram has taken a liking to Your Majesty."
"Eeeeeh?! That haughty Prince Whatever?!"
To escape from that topic I open the door a crack, and peeking inside I get a bad feeling again. Noble princes from here and there have gathered to this country from various places today, in addition to representing various families, and some here and there that had human-like shapes.
The flying bone race that I've befriended and their relatives, the ground bone race, like gargoyles on an American building, people with four legs that look like gray leopards, palm-sized petit-macho men that make the sound of an aburazemi (maybe a fairy), and a huge tuna lying on the soaked floor conspicuously.
"A... tuna?"
I keep reminding myself that I have to get used to it, because they were all citizens. They don't look human, no, they don't look like mazoku. I began to forget my speech because of too much tension.
"What actually happens on a coronation Conrart?"
"Are you alright, Your Majesty? You look unwell." He reached out to me to feel my forehead.
I can't help but feel a blush on my check and to make sure that he'll not notice, I turned around and told him that I was only nervous.
The teacher in the white, tight Chinese clothes runs by with a worried look on his face.
"It will begin sooner or later. Are you all right, Your Majesty? As I explained, after you progress down the center, when you ascend the platform the former Queen, Her Majesty Cecilie will coronate you... Of course, even if we didn't perform the ceremony, the people's loyalty to Your Majesty wouldn't waver, your form has that effect in and of itself..."
"It's okay sir, so tell me what to do."
"I'm relieved to hear that. You're very determined. Just seeing the promising form of Your Majesty..."
Overcome with emotion, Günter, who was entering the "old geezer" mode, passed by the expressionless man. I panicked as Gwendal laid his hand on the door.
Not just in looks but also in personality, the eldest brother who was probably the most suitable for the role of Maoh with the same pout on his lips as usual, forced a smile. That's a big treat.
"The former Queen has been appointed the honorable role of passing the crown." the cerulean eyed man said.
"Is that right? I thought you were still going to get me to spoil the ceremony. Because you're opposed to me becoming the Queen."
"Opposed? Me?"
His dorsal muscles freeze, looking like a smile, and with one step back he takes my chin in his fingers. Which I immediately pushed away. There's an absolute height difference. But this isn't like in fencing or volleyball, or, I'm afraid to say, baseball; being tall shouldn't be related to being a catcher or a leader.
"It's outrageous that I would do something like oppose you. I sincerely wish for you to become a good Queen."
"By 'good' you mean..."
"A compliant, submissive, meek queen."
"You just plan on having the queen at your disposal?!" I eyed him sternly.
From behind Günter said, who has become like an overprotective mother to me, Conrart carefreely said something unrelated. Come to think of it, it feels like that.
"Which reminds me, Gwen, Anissina came over."
The man who was usually a cool sale scowled at that instant. I've never seen such a scowl since I was born. With a click of his tongue he disappeared on the other side of the door. I was surprised; even Gwendal has a weak point.
"Well, Your Majesty, are you alright? Are you tense? Take a deep breath, breathe in and exhale."
"I'm alright Guinter, I think you should be the one to calm down"
One of the guards announced that the coronation will begin and he opened the huge double doors to the venue. Accompanied by Günter and Conrad, I advanced down the center of the hallway as I was told. Jet-black petals were spread all over. It's a bad omen. Both Conrart and Guinter stopped walking with me just before the stairs going to the platform where Queen Cecilie waited on. I approached the stone staircase on my own and went up to her, she had shiny golden curls and a sexy crimson dress.
"You look rather dashing, Lady Cheri." I said as I reach her side.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. But you don't need to fawn over me right now. Today, you're the lead actor. You look very lovely Majesty" She had a full smile.
We stood in our positions just like artists at a live venue. There's a small, artificial waterfall at the front of the stage, I spread my hands in the middle leaving a softball sized hole. The waterfalls quietly to the side, making a thin passageway.
"Well then, Your Majesty, put your right hand in the center of the waterfall, and listen to the will of Shinou."
"Huh? But isn't Shinou dead?" I asked
"Eeh? But only people led to the hole in Shinou's shrine who are allowed to become the Maoh can put a finger in there. And if Shinou recognizes the new Maoh, he'll clasp your hand gently."
All she says about a person who should be dead is "Eeh?"?!
Lady Cheri brought her lips near my ear, only pretending to whisper.
"I was able to put my fingers in, but no one grabbed back. After I waited a bit to make it look important, I slowly took out my hand and raised it high. Like Shinou really acknowledged me. See, Your Majesty, that's not really difficult at all, is it?
From behind Günter pesters me. "Your Majesty, hurry."
"Even if you say to..."
I stand in front of something like the Mouth of Truth, a tourist spot in Italy, with my right hand hanging in the air, hearing the sound of water cascading with a "swish" sound.
"If I lie won't it bite me?"
"No way. This is made of solid stone. It won't make sudden moves."
That's right. When I timidly put my right hand near the dark hole, my index finger and middle finger enter together. It's cool as I expected, and the air around it is saturated with moisture. Boldly, I put my hand up to my wrist.
"Ah, that was good, if you give it a try there's nothing to the ceremony. All that's left is to put on airs and lift up your arm..."
Huh? My fingertips hit something. Probably the inside wall.
"Your Majesty?" Günter peers at me worriedly.
"Huh... Uwah, wah, there's, there's..." Something cold grips my fingers.
"So, something's grabbed me, uwah, yah, Conrart, what's got me?!"
"Got you?!" He said With frightening strength, my right arm is pulled in. Wait, hey, I'm being pulled into a man-made waterfall, so a wall should be on the other side of the water!
Am I going to crash into a wall and finish off?! Before that, who has the power to pull me...
"Dohwahp!"
I'm thrust into the face from the face with a shriek like a chorus member. Günter tries to grab the back of my clothes and left arm frantically. Conrart calls my name and grabs my waist. But there's a wall of water between us, and only the warped sounds reach me.
Even though there's a wall of water, the wall of stone that should be there isn't. When I'm drawn in I gasp for air... While I'm gasping I get a sense somewhere in my head. When I came to this world it was through a drainage. My return ticket is the same mode of transportation. But this time the water is cleaner, better.
After that it was just like Star Tours.
Wen...wen...wen...
Something screaming Wen what does it stand for?
"Branwen!"
"Uwah, you surprised me!"
It was the "wen" in Branwen. After he shakes my shoulder I spring to my feet, and I noticed it was the guy in glasses. Ken! My childhood friend. The last thing I remembered was he got juice and then.. I was attacked.
My nose is soaked like I was drinking water in a pool. The wet cloth is stiff, hard and heavy, and my skin was cooled by an unpleasant dampness. I narrowed both my eyes to try and shake my field of vision somehow and saw my surroundings. It was a gloomy public women's restroom, with ashen walls, a light blue door, the floor is soaked with water pooling from the broken pipe. and a paper holder that has nothing to do with it. Peering at me is Ken; two or three steps away is a uniformed policeman.
"Ken, you found me?" was my weary response. I certainly am tired.
"Who wouldn't baka! I got the juice and when I went back to the dike, you were gone! I was frantically looking for you!"
The policeman asks if I'm ok. And if I wanted to take a damage report, or if I knew the assailant's names and such.
I was dumbfounded.
The night game is starting.
After that, with the soft lights in the courtyard, I recalled a night game with someone else. I recall the promise I made to a child who didn't even know how to spell 'baseball'. I recalled most of my dream.
"Ken... I had some sort of amazing dream."
"What was it?"
I shook my head quietly. I couldn't even begin to tell him, it was too long.
"Ah, I see. Well, Branwen, I had something I wanted to ask you but..."
The moment I try to stand up, a cold gem touches my skin under the clothes. After that, a momentary flash of light draws my attention to the golden wings on the breast of my clothes. I grip the golden wings tightly in my left hand.
It, wasn't a dream?
Günter, Wolfram, Gwendal, Cheri, Brandon... Conrart….
"...Was it, really a dream?"
"Eh?"
Ken reaches out a hand to me with a vague smile.
"But the I think you should wear my coat for now,, your clothes are a bit torn"
Suddenly, when I look down at myself, my shirt is torn so it shows my belly. I remember Conrart grabbing me from the waist.
Maybe it wasn't a dream...
It's not over. It seems this isn't the end of the game.
Ken and I started for home. He offered to bring me home because he wanted to make sure that I was safe.
"Oh honey! What happened to you?" My mom didn't exactly like how I looked. I'm all wet and covered by Ken's coat. But I can't possibly just tell her what happened right?
"Aunty Shibuya, Branwen was caught by the people who lusted over her, but it's okay now she's safe." I nudged his side with my elbow because I'm not sure if what he said would just make my mom worry or mad.
"I see. Who are they?! Show them to me right now! No one messes with my daughter!" With that she fumingly grabbed a broom and threatened to find the guys. (Sweat drop) luckily me and Ken managed to stop her. When she finally calmed down, she motioned us to go in so that I could change.
"But honey, you were taught a lot of martial arts when you were young and I don't understand why you got beaten!" She said as she laid out the clothes I am going to wear.
This is what I love about my mom, she usually just lets me be and let me do anything by myself but when I get in trouble, she's always gonna be there for me and makes sure that I'm gonna be alright.
"There were 4 of them with big chunks of muscle mom and I was pinned to the ground." I said as I got out of the bath. She hugged me even though she knows that she's gonna get soaked too.. No words were said afterwards.
It's the middle of the night but I just can't bring myself to sleep. Lying down, I looked at the blue pendant that's dangling in my hand. I can't help but think of the people I saw in that country.
This time, when I'm feeling confused and all, I would just like to play my violin.
My Violin! I left it there. But tomorrow is the recital!