So...I've been gone for the longest time and I'm so, so sorry, to anyone who's still waiting for a new chapter and actually still checking back every once in awhile. I'm no longer writing now, although I do still like this series very much. This was a chapter that I wrote a long time ago, and recently when I came back, I decided I should at least publish whatever I've written.

Over the past few years, I've changed my job (once), gotten engaged, bought a house (although it'll only be ready in a year and a half), and I've also picked up Korean as well. I kinda do still miss this story, but wondering if you guys would just like me tell you all at once the rest of the plot and ending I've planned (like in point-form), OR prefer for me to write properly (although by properly I mean I can finish this story, but it'll be in shorter, more straightforward paragraphs, because I don't think I've that capacity in me to full, proper-length chapters anymore. Although this will take me significantly a little longer.) Regardless, I do want to give an ending to this, for myself and for anyone who's still waiting.

For anyone who's out there, still being fully supportive, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Here's the next chapter.

xxx


A few hundred years ago, when the demon world was a mess, those times had everyone fighting for control and power. Ultimately, Karl Heinz rose above to win over millions and reigned supreme. Even though barely anyone has ever seen him in person, and even less people could tell you for sure what his personality is like, there had been no major problems in the demon world, so no one questioned his leadership. Although many have also wondered for decades: Which son would come after Karl Heinz?

So when a major announcement came today, the demon world was concerned, but also more than ready for it.

With the eldest son missing, Karl Heinz' dependable second son stepped forward to deliver the message during the annual ball.

"It has now come a time where the world requires a new brilliance, a new blood to usher what may come in time. It is a privilege, but also a heavy burden, and with it comes immense and immeasurable power. I, Karl Heinz, will be giving up my status as ruler, to any single one of my blood-related sons, should they understand the absolute behind true love, and should they defeat me in a fair and private battle. The ones who learn to love, shall be our new era."

A quietness falls over the audience, before some break out in hushed murmurs. Some were clueless, while others wonder if it were even possible. Forget true love; To even think about defeating Karl Heinz, the vampire with the greatest magical powers already seems like a far shot. Could there really be a son that could win this? If so, then the world would have absolutely no doubt. They would surely follow this brother as their newest and most powerful leader.

"Look at me having to pick up your slack once again," says Reiji as he marches into the lounge, visibly annoyed. He tosses the letter on the coffee table before he takes a seat on a nearby leather couch, the creases evident on his temple.

"Didn't you enjoy it?" replies Shu with his eyes closed, as he lies comfortably on the sofa.

"What does father even wish of this?" Reiji says seriously, subconsciously bringing a gloved hand up to his lips out of habit. "It makes no sense…even if any one of us could win father in a fair fight, but true love? Love for another person?"

"Mmm, too noisy," Shu murmured, turning his head away.

He hears Reiji get up, probably shooting him yet another dirty look, before marching out as quickly as he'd came in. Shu opens his eyes and thinks to himself.

Between Ayato and Subaru, who might it be?


"What does your father mean?" Yui asked Subaru. She had heard the message loud and clear, but she was confused by it.

Subaru sighs. "He wants to hand the throne over. And it's to someone who knows what 'love' is, I guess."

Yui's lips presses into a thin line.

"Would you want the throne? If you could have it."

Subaru honestly had no clue. Did he? After all, it seemed like by some lucky star he was the most advantageous amongst the 6 of them right now, unless father's definition of true love did not extend to humans. If he could really beat their father in a proper fight, what sort of fate would await him?

"I don't know," he answered. "But I don't think I'd want this."

It sounded like Subaru indeed, Yui thought. A man whom prefers his privacy and whom understands satisfaction. Things like great power and to rule above all beings; that wasn't like what Subaru would want.

"-Unless," he continues, "Unless you want me to-."

"No, no!" Yui waves her hands. "I'm contented enough. It's your call, and I'll support you, no matter what it is."

Subaru wished he could pull her into a hug, kiss her, but once on the dance floor earlier was enough. He didn't want to make her feel too embarrassed (and for himself too). So he'll save it till they got back.

"I think we should go," he tells her, "It's pretty late already. I'll go get our coats so you just wait for me here."

Subaru walks off, leaving Yui at a spot near the door. The time had flown by quickly for Yui. She didn't expect a night of food, dancing and music to end this fast, but it did. The only odd thing that happened was how a man apparated in front of her…but otherwise, it was a wonderful evening.

While waiting and thinking to herself, Yui people-watched. Looking at how fancily everyone was dressed up, she hopes she hadn't been too shabby. Her eyes scanned the crowd, and suddenly they stopped on one person. The moment their eyes met, she simply wasn't able to look away.

Ayato was just a few feet away, but he too was looking straight at her. He looked all cleaned up and absolutely dashing. But above all, it was the way he looked at her and at no one else, that made her hold her breath. The sentimental way he gazed at her made her want to cry, as though he was saying to her.

Please don't go.

I miss you.

She knew nothing about him, but at the same time, she couldn't stop feeling impossibly close to him. As if every time he laid his eyes upon her, it isn't her but her soul that he also sees. It doesn't make any sense. Yet, maybe it should. It could.

"Let's go."

Yui hears a voice that breaks her concentration, and when she looked up, she could see Subaru next to her, holding her coat out for her so she could slip into it. And when she turned back again, all she caught was Ayato's figure turning away and disappearing into the crowd.


"That wasn't so bad," Subaru commented as he and Yui burst through the door back into the comfort of their quarters.

Yui placed her purse on the dining table and kicked off her shoes, as Subaru slipped out of his jacket. Yui replied, "Were you expecting it to be bad? It really was quite nice."

"Yeah. Besides for the figure you saw and that weird speech my old man gave, it was alright."

Yui remembered the sudden figure that appeared before her and it left a bad taste in her mouth, but she chose not to say a word. It wasn't like either of them knew what was happening anyway. What's more important is that they had a fun night, which they did.

"Uh huh, I suppose that-," Yui had just turned around when a pair of lips landed on her own and familiar hands slipped around her waist. She knew it was none other than Subaru, but it was just so sudden and so unlike him. It excited her.

He kissed his way down her chin, jaw and neck, peppering sweet kisses on every bit of empty skin he could find. He had wanted to do this all night long, to just ravish her, and he's held back enough. His fingers found the zip of her dress, and expertly, he pulled downwards slowly. She doesn't even know exactly how beautiful and alluring she'd been all night. If he doesn't have her tonight, he's definitely going to go crazy.

"Wait…s-stop," Yui struggled to say, even though he had her breath hitched in her throat. Subaru was confused and almost wanted to curse out loud. He had to summon every ounce of his strength just to stop and pull away, to see what could be so important.

"What is it?" he complained.

"…I have to bathe first."

Subaru was baffled. She had to? In the middle of this?

"You can do that later," he says irritably, eager to get back to what he had been planning in his mind the whole time.

"We've been out the entire evening! We ran into so many people, we danced, we ate, and it's been quite a night. I just-," Yui shrugged, "I just want to get clean before we…you know." Her voice just got smaller till it trailed off. If she didn't look so damn cute the way she said that, he would've flat out refused.

"Mmm. F-fine," he stammered. "You go first, then I'll go." Looking at her smiling shyly at him was all he needed to allow this.

Yui entered the shower hurriedly, closing the door quietly behind her. Looking at her own reflection in the mirror as she undressed felt strange, almost as if she didn't know who was looking back at her. Her face grew solemn as she let her mind wander off where she couldn't help.

She recalled the way Ayato had laid his eyes on her, in a way she'd never known before.

As if she had broken his heart and had torn him apart.

Yui rushed to turn on the tap before her sniffs got too loud. As the water rained down on her, she asked herself why she begun crying. Why is it that her heart ached so much, so badly that it was almost enough to suffocate her? Why is it that it hurt, even though she had no memories and so it shouldn't?

Why?

She sat down at the edge of the shower, hugging her knees to herself and willing her tears to stop, but they would not. Everything pained her. The recurring dreams. This emptiness and feeling of having lost something precious and not even knowing what it was. It felt as though she was going to go mad.

And then she hits her. She saw it, right before her very eyes.

A perfect night sky, a perfect serenity.

A familiar room, with its familiar bedsheets.

Images of classroom hallways, her room and even the shower within it flashed before her eyes, before being overpowered by the faint smell of wood, amber and a hint of spice. She felt the familiarity of touch, as his fingers intertwined between her own. She could even hear a voice that she never thought she would ever forget.

Merry Christmas, Yui.

Her fingers shook as she reached up to her forehead, at exactly where Ayato had placed his lips, and then her tears couldn't stop. Her eyes were hot and her mind and body were exhausted, but the tears just won't stop coming.

What has she done? What did she do to Ayato?

With trembling fingers, Yui picked herself off of the bathroom floor. She washed up quickly, her mind and heart racing. She wasn't even thinking anymore. She was just drying off and putting on her clothes the quickest she can. The moment she was done, she bolted out of the bathroom. She could see her usual cardigan and purse on the table and she made a move to grab at them. But the moment her fingers reached for the doorknob, she stopped and turned around.

Subaru had fallen asleep on the bed. He'd deliberately left the usual left side of the bed empty for her, taking up only half the space, as always.

Her head swerved back to stare back at the door. If she wanted, she could just run out now. She could find Ayato and she could tell him she's starting to remember him at last.

After all, he'd been waiting for her all alone, all this time.

But, to leave Subaru suddenly and to hurt him this way…she didn't want it either. How could she ever do this to him when all he'd done was love and care for her?

Her heart ached so much she felt as though she could hardly breathe. Slowly, she inched away from the door and fell to the ground. What was she supposed to do? She didn't know.

That night, Yui cried for as long as she could remember, until sleep overtook her.


"Ayato Sakamaki, d'ya think all I do is serve only you? I have a ton, y'hear me, a ton of patients waiting, and you're getting in line just like everybody else!"

Unlike his last visit, Ayato was at the hospital in the demon world again, but this time very much willingly. Just out of his own curiosity, and maybe gut feel, he wanted to find out more from the doctor, a famous 800-year-old vampire who had probably seen it all. Although he obviously didn't like him, Ayato didn't give two hoots. He had bigger matters he hope to get answered.

"It's just gonna take a minute," Ayato had already barged past the reception and into the office.

"Even one minute is a minute I could spend on another deservin' patient," the old man spat.

"-What do you know about memory erasing spells? Or forgetfulness?"

The doctor peered at him, still distrusting. "So what about it?"

"I mean," Ayato opened his mouth to say, "Is it possible for anyone to make it into a potion, or a curse to curse someone else with it? And, is it possible to treat?"

The doctor tapped at his table with a long, crooked fingernail. "Yeah. Potions and spells exist but most o' the time, they wear off quickly." He paused when he sensed Ayato's dissatisfaction at the answer, and then asked, "How bad we talkin' about here?"

"Complete loss of memory for one person," Ayato looked up, "Doesn't seem to get any better either."

"That's very, very rare stuff, son," the doctor said, "For it to be this clean, it takes extremely high-level magic. Regular folk won't know this stuff I tell ya, not even me. Only very highly skilled vampires who've lived a long life."

"And can you treat it?"

The old vampire shakes his head. "Regular poisoning or a simple curse is one thing, but if it's like what ya said, a complete memory loss for a single person, it's ain't gonna be easy. In my whole life here, I've only seen one other unique case like this, and it went on for years and years, until she died. Nice girl too."

"Who is it?" Ayato had to ask.

"Ya don't know it?" the doctor looked at him as though he were bluffing. "The 3rd lady, Miss Christa. The servant brought her to see me on a rainy night. One day, she woke up and had absolutely no memory of her son, Subaru. She forgot his likes, his dislikes, everything about the boy. Miss Christa might not use it often, but she also has powerful magic flowing through her veins. Ya get why just by knowing which family she's from. Whoever cursed her, he'd have to be much, much more powerful for the magic to be so embedded. I tried to help her, but nothing helped. I know what they all say; our king's 3rd wife is crazy. But I know what I saw, and that night, that magic was beyond what I could do."

"Even until her passing, she never remembered her only son whom she'd truly loved in the past."