Happy late Valentines day, unless you spent it alone. Then I'd congratulate you.

For your information, dear readers, the first thing our good king says is a direct quote from something I don't own. As soon as I typed that I got a paper-cut on my chin. Thanks, math homework.

Review! :D

Gilbert knew it would be hard to catch the king at a free moment. He was a busy man, and busy men have important problems of their own that don't normally involve the lesser members of the court. However, everyone loved a scandal. His actions would be on the tongues of the others for weeks, if not months. And tongues would twist the story, but in which direction and to which aspect he could not predict. He was throwing his fate to chance because of what a crazy woman told him.

And this is the right thing to do.

All the same, when he finally caught Arthur at an in-between moment, while the other was seated in the library with a stack of papers before him, he felt a nervous swell of trepidation trying to block his throat. His voice came out wavering when he'd intended it to be strong and confident. He seethed.

"Sir?"

"Yes, yes, what is it? As you can see, I am plainly issuing edicts as fast as I can," said the blond, not looking up.

"It's me, Gilbert Beilschmidt. I have...I have a crime to report."

"Oh?" At that, Arthur looked up, furrowing his infamous eyebrows. "I believe the head of security is the one you're looking for-'

"He wouldn't understand," Gilbert blurted, then took a calming breath. "I thought you should hear it first."

"Well, come on then."

The albino swallowed apprehensively. "It was a while ago, but now it's finally come to light. Remember Roderich's suicide?"

Arthur frowned harder. "Yes. A most unfortunate case. What about it?"

"It was actually a murder. I-"

"Oh, so you did some sleuthing about and discovered the murderer? Good job, then. Now, out with it. Who was the killer?"

Gilbert turned his head to the side, suddenly unable to meet the king's eyes. He held out his wrists. "I am."

Upon his confession, Arthur started to raise a hand to signal for his guards, but seeing the pure tormented misery in Gilbert's eyes, he sighed and lowered it again. "You know, you put me in a very troublesome position." He shuffled his papers and stood up. "On one hand, it'd be only right to put you in jail for your crimes. On the other, I can tell you truly regret your actions from the depths of your soul." His voice had taken on an almost ironic tone. "So I've decided, perhaps unwisely, to let you roam free for the time being."

"What?" the albino stammered.

"Put your wrists down, I'm not going to arrest you."

Gilbert wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or thwarted, so he decided to be both.

Then the king's voice grew icy. "But if you give me reason to have to punish you, if you break my trust-"

"I understand the consequences," said Gilbert hurriedly, but Arthur went on. "-then there is no slimy pit you could haul your rotten carcass to, no far reaches of the earth where I would not find you and bring you back to suffer your true justice." The look in his eyes was stony. The king turned, swept his papers up into the crook of an arm, and started walking for the door. At the frame, he turned and looked back. "You seem to be a misguided man, Gilbert, but misguided with good intentions. Keep trying. I know you'll redeem yourself someday."

The trial was set as soon as Arthur had an opening, which was a week later.

The days flew by.