14. Flip the coin
Gwendal was careful to put his quill down, beware of not breaking it in half. His hands were shaking before interlacing his fingers in front of him.
"Repeat that" he said, a hidden dare in his voice.
Lady von Rochefort didn't seem to detect Gwendal's defiance, or if she did, she was clearly unperturbed by it.
"I am sorely stating what everyone else is thinking. Lady Cecile's disappearance is no doubt a terrible, tragic loss to Shink Maokoku… still, it is strangely convenient".
The room went deadly quiet.
They were in Gwendal's private office. Gwendal was sitting behind his desk, with Conrad a quiet, strong presence standing by his side. In front of him and with identical blank expressions, stood Lady von Rochefort, Lord von Radfort and Waltorana von Bielefeld.
Lord Radfort had been the first one to arrive to Blood Pledge Castle, letter in hand, to inform of Lady Cecile's plans of treason. Not long after, Lady von Rochefort had arrived unannounced. Waltorana had been the third, with an agonizing Wolfram and thirteen bodies to bury.
"Do not presume to think your words won't have any consequence, my lady" said Gwendal, drily.
"I surely hope not" said Lord von Radfort. "That is why the rest of the heads of the noble houses are on their way here, this circus has gone long enough my lord. And you have proved yourself lacking"
Waltorana, who looked pale but otherwise untouchable, looked up at that.
"I agree," said Lady von Rochefort "Lady Cecile plans treason and then disappears, later on Wolfram von Bielefeld is assaulted on his way to Blood Pledge Castle, and the king is yet to be seen by anyone. This has obviously gone out of your hands, my lord. Besides" she continued with a sharp look "it is disquieting that every event seems to be linked to your blood"
"So, this is a letter signed by six of the ten noble families, deeming it a priority to remove you from your position, my lord" said Lord von Radfort calmly, letting the letter rest on the desk.
"That document holds no power with only six signatures" said Waltorana quickly, his voice hoarse.
"Wouldn't you like that, my lord" hissed Lord von Radfort not bothering to contain his disdain, not even bothering to look at Waltorana. "It is not enough to remove lord von Voltaire completely out of his position, yet. But it is enough to limit it. From now on, no decision can be taken without the consent of the heads of the noble families present in Blood Pledge Castle"
"That is absurd" interrupted Waltorana.
"It is law" said Lady von Rochefort. "We are worried that Lord von Voltaire is not working with Shin Makoku's best interested at heart" she looked at Gwendal, and something in her eyes softened a fraction. "We know it's your mother we are talking about Gwendal, your family, but that is why you need to step down. You are being partial. And when the rest of the nobles arrive, you will be completely removed. Is for the best of the country, accept it with dignity".
After those statements, it took less than an hour for the brief yet ground shaking meeting to end. Lady von Rochefort, Lord von Radfort, and Waltorana left Gwendal's office to go back to their resting quarters, each one on different directions, and resolutely not looking at each other.
Once the two brothers were alone again, Conrad made sure to close the heavy oak door before turning to look at his older brother.
"Traitors! Their sole breathing offends Shinou!" roared Gwendal before punching the wall so hard it shook.
Conrad walked closer "We need to contact Yuuri".
"And then what? You think that kid will bring mother back and put those power-hungry jackals back in their chains?"
"I think it will be a good start, yes" said Conrad curtly. He was furious too, he wanted blood, but not his brother's.
"I will kill them" reasoned Gwendal, pinching hard the bridge of his nose.
"Eventually, maybe. But right now we have more pressing matters, brother"
At that, Gwendal grimaced in what some would consider a half glare half grin.
"Since when are you so cold-headed anyway?"
"Someone has to be" responded Conrad before taking a couple steps closer, resting his warm hand on his brother's shoulder. "Focus. Someone took mother, someone hurt Wolfram, somehow Yuuri is not yet back, and now some nobles are sniffing around for a chance at your Regency. We can't lose our heads"
Gwendal nodded "Whoever planned this knew what we were going to do before we acted"
"So then" prompted Conrad.
Gwendal took a deep calming breath "So now, we make our own script"
X*X*X*X*X*X
After the shock of losing his brother and watching Wolfram flirt with death yet again, Sven looked pale and hollow. He wasn't talking, and he had his back to Wolfam and Greta, who were still on bed. They were the only people in the royal chamber.
"Greta calm down, what you're saying doesn't make sense" said Wolfram, laying down again, resting a hand over his healing wound.
"Is true papa, I swear" said Greta, tears still in her eyes.
Wolfram gulped, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The absence of Yuuri at Blood Pladge Castle was the least thing he expected, and he wasn't quite sure how to react.
"Shinou said you have to go to Earth, daddy needs you! He is the one blocking it!"
"Blocking it? Blocking what?"
"I… don't know"
"I am so sorry" whispered Wolfram, tracing a hand down Greta's dark curls. "It's my fault, I left you alone and now you're scared. Greta you just had a bad dream"
"I didn't! Shinou wouldn't lie!"
Wolfam felt a stab of pain on his side and grimaced, at that, Sven turned to them.
"Princess, I think you need to give Lord Bielefeld some time to rest"
Wolfram looked surprised and Greta glared at him.
"I want to stay with him, he's hurt!"
"Precisely, young princess" said Sven, walking closer. "He is hurt, and he needs to rest… Please, surely whatever you want to say can wait?"
"Is alright" said Wolfram, "she can always stay by my side"
Sven seemed upset by it, but didn't say anything else as he nodded and sat down nearby. His head bobbed a few times before he fell into a restless sleep.
Still Greta glared at Sven silently, and it was such an endearing look that Wolfram couldn't help but whisper: "Would you feel better if we went to the Temple? You can talk to Ulrike, and some fresh air could help me feel better"
Greta looked up quickly, and nodded "Yes, can we go today?" she whispered too.
Wolfram nodded "Give me a few minutes, and let's not wake up Sven, he needs to rest too"
Some hours and tedious preparing later, Wolfram and Greta went on a walk through the gardens that took them to the Temple. It was a long walk, but Wolfram had a walking stick. He didn't dare ride yet, as his would was fresh, but he felt like he owned this to Greta. He had been away far too often, for far too long. And each time, leaving Greta behind had been harder and harder, because he could see the fear and uncertainty mounting in her young eyes.
She was growing up and he was missing out again, she was growing among wars and kidnappings, and no child should grow up fearing for the next punch of fate. Seeing Greta taking it all on stride had left a mark on him, maybe because it reminded him of himself as a kid.
Wolfram felt like doing this to calm her fears was the least he could do.
The afternoon sun set a weak orange glow over the lands, the wind almost sweet during this time of the day. Wolfram loved afternoons in Shin Makoku, and realized that this short reprieve was as much for Greta's benefit as for his own.
"I don't like Sven" said Greta suddenly.
Wolfram chuckled, surprised. It was unusual to hear Greta talk like that.
"He is an old friend of mine, who just saved my life. He also lost his brother, so let's be grateful he is here at all, my darling"
Greta bit her lip, thinking.
"Did he really save your life, papa?"
"He did"
Greta nodded, and sighed.
"I will try" she promised.
The rest of the way they went in silence, but as they got closer and closer, Wolfram could feel something was… strange. The hairs on his arms stood up, and he could feel a forceful, unnatural flow of energy close by.
Greta, being human, couldn't detect such subtle changes in the air, so when the Temple came into full view, she took into full run to it.
"Greta wait!" shouted Wolfram, but she must have thought he was just being over careful with her, because she didn't stop and went in without looking back.
"Damnit" cursed Wolfram, using one of Yuuri's earthling words. He went as fast as he could, still leaning on his walking stick behind her.
He went in, which was a shock by itself as no men were allowed there. He found a few guards sleeping on their post, but when he went on his knees to shake them awake, not a single one responded. They felt cold to the touch, and fear took hold of his heart.
"Greta!" he shouted. No answer.
There was vital energy moving around him, he could feel it. He could see it too, if he tried hard enough… blue webs that would extend, contract and expand, but moving effortlessly in the same direction. He followed them, the echo of his steps and walking stick an evident disturbance in the sacred calm of the place.
"Greta! Answer me!"
"Here papa!"
Wolfram sagged with relief at her voice, and followed it. What he saw left him breathless.
"Welcome" said Shinou.
He was in spirit form, tall and powerful, his arms directing the flow of energy into the portal just as a director would a orchestra. He was mighty, all life force responding to his call. And Greta was by his side, unaware of the metaphysical event surrounding her fragile human body.
"She can see me" said Shinou.
"See papa? I told you I wasn't dreaming!" said Greta excitedly, eyes wide.
Wolfram gulped, and went on one knee.
"Original King" he said. He needed to get Greta out of the Temple, because whatever Shinou wanted, if it involved his daughter, he couldn't have it.
"So proper" said Shinou, smiling.
"It is an honor to be on your presence" said Wolfram.
Shinou seemed pleased by those words.
"Your majesty, why have you bought us here?"
"He wants you to save daddy!" said Greta, confused. "I told you that papa"
"That is true" said Shinou. "Stand, Bielefeld son"
Wolfram stood up, and looked around.
"The people on the Temple… are they dead?"
"No, not yet" said Shinou.
Greta looked scared for the first time: "Papa?"
"Come here Greta" said Wolfram, and Greta went by his side quickly.
"I will not hurt any of you" said Shinou. "I don't have to… the people on this Temple, they did swear their lives and existence to me long ago. I am not doing anything against their will"
Wolfram didn't answer, just put a hand over Greta's shoulder protectively.
"I will not hurt Greta, you have my word on that" said Shinou, who seemed bored by the subtle protective gesture.
Wolfram nodded, he only needed to hear that.
"Why have you bought us here, then?"
Shinou looked at the portal, it pulsed weaker every day.
"Yuuri won't be able to come back to this realm, because his own power is blocking it"
Wolfrma looked completely confused.
"Why would he do that?"
"He doesn't know it" said Shinou with patience. "It is a very powerful spell. It combines his power and that of Lady Cecile, the current and previous Maou's maryokus. Is rather impressive, if I say so myself"
"My mother is doing that?" choked out Wolfram, feeling sick.
"I do not know, but it is their power combined what has kept the Portal blocked all this time"
Shinou opened his arms again, and the energy around him pulsed "As you can see, I have manage to keep a very tentative hold of this Portal… my power, and the living force of those in this Temple has been enough, but it won't last forever"
"What can I do?" whispered Wolfram.
"You need to go to Earth and bring him back"
"Your majesty you just said the Portal is blocked!"
Shinou shook his head, "You have learnt nothing about power and intent, have you Bielefeld? Yuuri's power, and Lady Cecile's power is guarding this door. And there is only one mazoku who is loved best by the both of them. Only one mazoku who could cross this Portal without being clawed to shreds by it"
Wolfram licked his dry lips, and shook his head.
"It is not… like that, with Yuuri. I can't go in there"
"You can not say no to me, have you forgotten who you are? Who am I?" said Shinou, his eyes iridescent sapphires.
It was then that Shinou talked into Wolfram's mind, a whisper that only he could hear: Go into the Portal now, or be to blame for the Maou's death, his blood be on your hands.
Wolfram shook his head.
The little princess will be safe here. This is possibly the safest place right now for her. Go, or lose both of them.
Wolfram gasped at that, and looked down at the wide, brown eyes of his beloved daughter.
"Papa?" she said softly.
"I will be back soon" he answered, feeling like that was the constant lie between them.
He was leaving, yet again, and this time he wouldn't be back, but he couldn't say that to her. So Wolfram just kneeled again, and hugged her close, tighter than ever, and placed a somewhat desperate kiss to her forehead.
"Be strong, Greta"
She gulped, and nodded "Yes papa"
Wolfram stood up and walking slowly towards the Portal, nodded to Shinou.
Without looking back, he went in.