Hello! Yeah, it has been some time since you guys heard from me, hasn't it? Well, I finished this a few days ago and sent it off to my beta, but I realized that you all had been waiting long enough for an update, so I'm posting this "UNBETAED" and will replace it with the edited version after she gets it back to me.
Title: Into the Indefinite Sky
Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: AU, Angst/Drama, Romance
Pairing: YuurixWolfram
Rating: M-MA (R-NC17)
Chapter: 20 of ?
Warnings: Angst, NCS (referenced/implied), AU, OOC Wolfram, possibly OOC everyone else
Summary:
Wolf had spent his life believing that he was meant for servitude. His master was strict, and often cruel, but he never thought he could be anything more than what he was. One night changes everything and he is thrown into a world that he knows nothing about and given a life he never thought he could have. But a secret he keeps could only throw his life into further turmoil and not to mention the Demon King…
Disclaimer: I don't own KKM or any of its characters.
Chapter 20 – Weight of the World
The past two weeks has become a routine just as many of the ones before it. Wolf would get up just shortly after dawn, dress, eat, and then have his lessons for the day with Günter. After two or three hours of lessons, he would then begin handling his 'duties' as Consort Apparent. Thankfully, nothing dire or catastrophic had occurred and so much of the time was simply spent signing papers—most of which had been left behind by Yuuri.
Paperwork. Something he had come to despise. Sitting in the same chair going through hundreds or even thousands of documents just so that he could sign his name was tedious and actually painful. He swore his wrist appeared more shriveled everyday. During his first 'reign' as Consort Apparent, Gwendal had done most of the work and had only sent a small amount in his direction should his signature be required. Now, it was up to him alone because Gunter wouldn't dare sign his name to anything unless it was directly dealing with his duties. He drew a very obvious line between their two stations, even though he often spoke to Wolf as if he was still a child.
That did not mean that he skittered around the issues that needed discussion. While he was a brilliant scholar and swordsman, Wolf knew, he also saw him as somewhat naïve and overly dramatic in his profession of devotion to Yuuri. Sometimes, he wondered if it was simply the position of Maou in particular that he was so devoted to. It was something he had come to understand very little. Why would a man who was so well-educated and experienced due to his years, prostrate himself as Gunter did in the face of one person—or two if you counted his behavior towards Murata, the Great Sage?
The blonde merely accepted it as one of the silver-haired Mazoku's many quirks. It seemed that each of them had one. Gunter was obsessed with the Maou—and the Great Sage. Gwendal enjoyed sewing rather distorted versions of stuffed animals—when a bear looks like a pig and a dragon looks like a dog, there were definite questions towards the person's 'talent'. Conrad seemed have been infected with a rather disturbing 'inferiority complex' when it came to Yuuri—he would let the boy walk all over while he was laying on a bed of hot coals and probably thank him for it. And then there was Anissina, the overbearing woman who could make men cry just by smiling at them and preferred to use unwilling participants for her various experiments rather than actual volunteers. Gisela was also an odd case, she was kind, gentle, and a Healer, but she could also be as commanding as an army general on the battlefield. Yosak liked to wear woman's clothing—particularly unflattering women's clothing. And lastly, there was Cheri-sama…
Whenever his mind brought up thoughts of the blonde former Maou, he automatically brushed them away as one would dust on his jacket. He avoided her as much as possible, refusing to meet her eyes when she tried to catch his attention and used any excuse necessary to not be left in the same room alone with her. Most often he simply left. At first, there was confusion as to what could have caused the 'rift' between them, seeing as Cheri-sama was one of the few he had allowed any closeness. Wolf rued the day he ever trusted her.
Even then, he realized, she must have been manipulating him. She told him the sorrowful story about her last husband and losing her son 'Wolfram' and he had even cried in her arms. Disgraceful. Perhaps she had even been the one to orchestrate Greta's appearance then, which though he had denied it then, had been one of the main reasons he had chosen to remain at the time. Now she had used the small child against him again.
With his avoidance of Cheri-sama also came the disintegration of his friendship with Gisela. He didn't know how to feel towards her. She had been the one who had actually done the deed of 'saving' him, whether Cheri-sama ordered it or not. He felt betrayed, and yet didn't know if he could actually blame her for any of it. He had tried to speak to her, to get an explanation and hopefully find a way to justify her actions in his mind. He didn't want to be wrong about the two people he felt he could trust.
The conversation had left him feeling bitter and confused. Gisela had told him that he hadn't fully understood the situation and that he needed to talk to Cheri-sama again. He refused. She became angry. He became angry. Angry, hurtful words had been said, most of which he couldn't even remember. Before the confrontation could escalate, he had removed himself of her presence and left for his sword training—which he performed alone as Gunter was busy enough about the castle without the added duty of continuing his training.
And so those he avoided came to two. While Cheri-sama tried to catch his eye, Gisela took to avoiding him as well, but not without sending pointed glares when no one would notice. Thankfully, it seemed that all three had managed to keep their dissension hidden from Greta.
"Wolf?"
He turned his attention outward to the small girl who stood in front of his cluttered desk—it wasn't his fault it was so messy, it was all of the papers on it.
"Yes, Greta?" he motioned for her to come around to him, setting down the pen he had been using.
"Why don't you and Cheri-sama spend time with me anymore?"
His blinked, startled by her inquiry.
"Wh-What do you mean? We both spend time with you."
Greta looked down at her feet, scuffing one of her shoes against the carpeted floor of his study. She appeared very reluctant and yet there was a curious apprehension in her eyes. "You don't spend time with me together," she replied. "Cheri-sama and Wolf-chan used to always do things with me…together. Now it's just Cheri-sama or Wolf, but never both."
She was very nervous about breaching this subject with him. Wolf could tell by how she spoke the same way she did when they first met, somewhat childish and unsure. In the past few months her speech patterns had changed greatly, but now in her uncertainty, all of the idiosyncrasies were returning. It seemed to be bothering her greatly. And he had thought that they were hiding their 'issues' from Greta.
"It's because we thought you could use some more individual time with each of us," he tried to reassure her. "You and she enjoy doing 'girl' things together and I don't, so isn't it best to do the 'girl' things with her on your own? Not to mention I've been so busy lately…"
"Don't lie to me."
The look on her face was not one of nervousness any longer, but one of disappointment.
"You don't have to lie to me," she told him. "I know when you're lying and you never lie to me. Something happened, I know. After you got sick…"
Wolf sighed, reaching out at placing a gentle hand on the top of her head. "I'm sorry," he told her. "I did have a 'disagreement' with her. I didn't think she should have let you over hear her talking about how ill I was. It upset you and I don't want you to ever be afraid of being left alone again."
It was hopefully enough of a truth that the overly perceptive girl wouldn't be ale to see the 'small' untruths littered within it.
"I didn't hear Cheri-sama," she explained. "I heard the maids talking. They said that you became ill so suddenly that something had to be wrong, I became really scared. I was with Cheri-sama when I heard them and I had to see you, but she tried to stop me. So I shoved her and came anyway." She looked rightfully abashed by her admission and looked down towards the ground again. "I know I shouldn't have pushed her, but I really wanted to see you, Wolf. It wasn't Cheri-sama's fault, so please don't be upset with her."
Wolf was not that surprised by her words. So Cheri-sama hadn't been the one to let the words slips. That did not mean that she hadn't been the one who allowed Greta to hear the maids' gossiping. The servants of Blood Pledge Castle were known for their tale-telling. And she had even been with Greta at the time, all the easier to direct her to somewhere within easy listening range.
And yet Greta is trying to unknowingly defend the woman who used her, he thought. I hope she never has to know the truth.
But to keep the truth of Cheri-sama's treachery away from the innocent young accomplice, he would have to make 'truce' with the woman that would seem realistic enough to assuage Greta's fears.
"I shall speak with her," he gave a smile he hoped was authentic. "We'll get everything settled between us."
The fear dissipated and the dark eyes were alight with hope. "Thank you, Wolf-chan!" she told him, jumping forward to give him a warm hug. "I don't want anyone to fight. Enough bad stuff has happened already." He embraced her in return, and then slowly pulled away, a more genuine smile on his face.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine," he said. "Now I still have duties to fulfill at the moment, but later we can play in the garden if you want."
"Yes!" she beamed with happiness like the first rays of sunlight in the morning. "I'll drag you away from Günter if I have to! You need more breaks, Wolf-chan!"
"I'll…try to fit them in," he told her. "Now you better get to your own lessons with Anissina. She's probably wondering where you are."
"No she's not," Greta gave him a mischievous grin that was far too grown for her young face. "Anissina told me to come see you because I wasn't paying attention. She said that you needed the distraction." Before he could speak she was hurrying out of the room, the slam of the door ringing with her exuberance.
After she had gone Wolf let out a deep sigh, feeling a headache begin to throb behind his eyes. Even though she left smiling, he knew that her giddy mood would only be temporary if she felt that there was still a 'problem' between him and Cheri-sama. I'll have to settle this with her, he thought, a sour taste in his mouth. This was not something he was looking forward to.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was not until two days later that he was able to catch Cheri-sama in a discreet enough location for such a 'discussion'. He had managed to behave more civilly towards her—meaning he actually replied when she spoke to him rather than ignoring her altogether. It seemed to have surprised her at first, but he had also seen a spark of hope in her eyes. She thought that he was beginning to forgive her…which he had no intention of ever doing.
But he had not been able to catch her alone. Even now, she was sitting in Gisela's personal office with her, the two speaking of something that halted as soon as he knocked on the door. Honestly, Wolf had not expected the blonde woman to be the one opening the door, for his original purpose had been to ask Gisela for some of the special tea leaves she had given him to combat the morning sickness the week before—they had worked wonderfully and he was willing to brave Gisela's remarks if only to be able to keep from having to enjoy his food a second time.
And yet there she was, staring at him with surprise obvious on her features. He should have known that the most obvious place for her to be was with her closest companion, as he had not seen her all morning, but he, too, was startled by her presence, even though he hid it much easier than she did.
"Wolf!" she exclaimed, a smile on her face. "What a wonderful surprise!"
"I came to speak to Gisela," he told her, waiting for her to back away from the door so he could enter. He didn't miss the disappointment on her face.
Gisela stood up from where she sat in one of the two chairs in front of her desk rather than in her personal one behind it, and gave him a curious look. "What is it that you need?"
"I am almost out of the leaves you gave me," he replied, "So I thought it best to restock before I ran out."
"All right, I'll get you some from my storage room," she moved around the two, having no compulsion against leaving the two alone with each other. Although she DID shut the door, the click of the knob sliding into place trapping them with more strength than any chains could.
There was silence and neither moved, both standing, two pair of near identical eyes staring at one another. Wolf knew that this had been Gisela's intention, and also knew that he needed to deal with this situation, if only for Greta's sake. He didn't have to forgive her to tolerate her and make it look believable.
"Lady von Spitzweg," he began, ignoring the shock in her eyes that was quickly covered. It wasn't his fault she had mistaken the purpose of his reformed behavior. "Greta has come to me with concern about the issues between us and wishes that they be resolved."
"Y-Yes!" she nodded in agreement. "I want everything to be fixed between us, too! I'm so glad that-"
He shook his head to stop whatever else she meant to say. "Surely you understand that everything can't be fixed with between us." He kept his tone and his manner as polite, but also as emotionless, as possible.
"Wh… What?" she stared at him with a face of confusion. "But you just said…"
"I said that Greta wishes for everything to be resolved," he repeated, "but that doesn't mean that I will suddenly let you into my confidence once more as if none of this had ever transpired. I shall have to live with the consequences of your manipulations and so shall you. But…for Greta's sake we must call a truce and put aside whatever is between us…at least in public."
The blonde woman was shaken by his words and stepped back with her hand coming up to her chest, as if to protect her heart. "T-Truce?" she forced out. "Must there be just a 'truce' between us?"
"Until I become a man weak enough to give into your mechanizations," he stated. "And I hope that day never comes."
Physically striking her would have caused less injury. For a moment, he has almost considered that she might have had a heart attack, even though he knew it was impossible for a Mazoku of her age and perfect physical condition. She stood there, eyes wide and hand clenched against her breast, like a statue. Wolf didn't bother to give her time to collect herself.
"While in public we will appear congenial and friendly, as if all is 'right' and we will spend time with Greta 'together'. She needn't suffer for your actions as well."
"Wolf!"
Turning around, he caught sight of Gisela standing in the doorway. By the look upon her face, she had heard at least part of their conversation.
"That's enough," the glare in her eyes could have boiled water. Her hands were clenched into fists—including the one carrying a small package—as she stepped purposefully towards him. "Cheri-sama has sat back and taken all of your abuse for the past two weeks and said nothing. You have no right to speak to her this way-"
"Stop."
Cheri-sama wasn't staring at each of them, but off to the side, eyes downcast. "Don't fight like this," she said softly. "Don't fight each other over this. He's right Gisela, Greta shouldn't be trapped in the middle of this and the least we can do is keep the peace for her." She then looked at Wolf, a watery, yet unreadable look in her eyes. "I've been lingering here for much longer than I usually do and I received a letter from one of my friends in Shilan. It's time that I visited him."
"But…Cheri-sama…" Gisela didn't know what to say.
The blonde woman ran a hand through her bangs, her composure suddenly reinstated as if it had never fled. "And he's such an interesting 'friend', too," she smirked. "He enjoys free love as much as I do! Such a rare trait to find in a good man." She then winked at Gisela. "I would ask you to join me, but I know you have so much work to do."
She stepped forward and walking past Wolf and setting a comforting hand on Gisela's shoulder. Leaning in, she whispered something into the green-haired woman's ear and it seemed to calm her down somewhat. Another gentle smile, a pat on the shoulder, and Cheri-sama was out the open door.
Wolf let out an exasperated sigh, moving forward to leave himself. He would speak with Gisela later about the leaves, he had enough last him a few more days yet. He wasn't prepared for the sudden burning pain and the weight that knocked him backwards. There was the sound of the door being shut and it jolted him into action.
His eyes bulged in shock and his hand went to his cheek. He stared at the searing eyes that burned him and the gritted teeth. The surprise shifted and he could feel a cold chill run through his body. Not one of fear, but like the calm in the eye of a storm.
"I warn you now, Gisela," his tone hard in a way he had never thought himself capable of, "should you attempt to strike me again, I shall ignore the fact that you are a woman with extreme prejudice."
"Do not try to intimidate me," she sniped back. "You self-pitying idiot! Do you not realize that you just ran off one of the few people who support you?"
He returned her glare with equal fervor. "Support?" he mocked. "She wishes to control me! Contrary to all of her sweet words of 'freedom' and standing by my choices, she has chained me to this place and to her because of it! I would rather I had not been saved!"
A hand shot out again, only this time Wolf caught it easily, squeezing the wrist in his grip. "I warned you, Lady von Christ," he growled. "I will not allow anyone to take advantage of me again. Never."
Gisela's eyes softened and he released her hand, which she let drop to her side. "You just don't understand what she sacrificed to save your life," she told him. "Cheri-sama wanted that abortion even more than you did! She had to choose between something you both wanted so badly and saving the life of her son. Now she stands to bear the blame of everything that happens afterwards."
"If she had wanted me to have the abortion, why did she say she didn't care either way?" he asked.
"Because it was your decision," Gisela replied. "She didn't want to influence you either way."
"And yet in the end she took the decision away from me," he retorted. "She had no problem with choosing the life of the child over what she knew I wanted."
"You don't seem to acknowledge the fact that you could have died!" she asserted. "And as your mother Cheri-sama had the right to save your life! Do not forget that it was I who actually saved you!"
"Would you have saved me if she hadn't ordered it? Would you, too, have disregarded my wishes?" The last question was asked with less confidence than the first, the tone curious.
Is there anyone who is willing to put what I want above their own desires?
"I can't answer that," Gisela whispered. "I can't say what I would have done. You were shaking and so pale. You had lost consciousness and I didn't know what to do. All of my years as a Healer and I didn't know what to do. Cheri-sama ordered that I save you, and I knew what that meant…but I did it because I couldn't think of anything else. So do not place all of the blame on Cheri-sama. I, too, bear my own responsibility."
Wolf didn't know what to say. Did she want him to blame her instead? Why was she so concerned for Cheri-sama? There had to be something more to all of this.
"Why are you so adamant about this?" he asked. "You're so quick to ask me to 'understand' her and yet you don't seem to understand what you two have done to me. I'm pregnant with a child I can't get rid of without ending my own life…something I have sworn not to do, if only by an oath to Greta. I am truly trapped now. And what of this child I carry? It was conceived in an unwanted, horrific union and will grow within me only knowing anger and bitterness. What fate have you condemned us too?"
"You don't have to keep the child," she said. "I know many couples who would love to have another child to care for, or have never been able to have any of their own. The child can grow with a loving family that will never know of its origins and you will never have to see it again."
The blonde stared at her with disbelief. "Do you truly think such a thing is so simple?" he asked incredulously. "I have cared for many children and even been the assistant to the midwife during birth. I will begin to show soon and then everyone will know."
Gisela shook her head in disagreement. "The records say that Mazoku Men do not begin to show until at least the end of the second trimester," she explained. "You might appear to gain some weight, but most will see that as an improvement for you, possibly believing it muscle from your training."
"And where shall I go then?" he put forth. "I still have nowhere to go outside of this accursed castle."
"There are various places that Cheri-sama could provide for you during the last months-"
"No," he shook his head. "I shall take no more 'charity' from her."
"Then find a way on your own," Gisela frowned. "A beggar should not cast away handouts."
"I shall not owe a debt to the one who had put me in this situation to begin with," Wolf was finally fed up with this talk. He wanted away from the green-haired woman now. "Goodbye, Gisela. I shall come for the leaves at a later time." She didn't stop him when he reached out and opened the door, even though it was obvious that there was more than she wanted to say.
She let out a sigh. "One day you will look back on this and see that she only does things because she loves you," she said.
"Love shouldn't hurt," he replied.
"Some of the greatest horrors seen committed by Human or Mazoku were for love," she went on. "It can create a tyrant out of a gentle king, or even bring a kingdom to its knees. Love is the most destructive force of all."
"All the more reason for me to avoid it," he returned, walking down the hall quickly rather than wait for her reply.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheri-sama was gone the next day shortly after dawn. Morning meal was tense, but Wolf was thankful that Gisela had given up on sending her disapproving glares, knowing that they had no effect on him. At the same time, her words from the day before remained with him, mixing with his own confused and uncertain thoughts. Instead, he focused on his work so as to not allow the whispers of his own weak desires to overtake him.
He wanted to hold onto his anger and hurt and use it to strengthen himself and fortify his convictions. The blonde wanted to take back his life for himself and giving into the small part of him that wanted to reconcile with both women would do nothing more than tear down the unsteady foundation he had set for himself. Besides, he told himself as he sat at one of the tables in the library, awaiting Günter for his morning lessons, I have other problems to worry about.
By which he meant his not-so-welcome 'guest'. In the time since the failed attempt to abort the child, he had come to accept the fact that he could not get rid of it, for now the only options left to him were death and severe injury—which could also very easily lead to death. Only a few months ago he had contemplated that very thing, wondering if death might be a better alternative to the life of punishment and servitude he had lived, but now—even with all of the oppression he faced from those he thought should stand by him in his decisions—he knew that very little could make him turn back down that road.
Which also brought back the discussion with Gisela.
/ "You don't seem to acknowledge the fact that you could have died!" /
He shook his head with a disgusted and frustrated sigh. No, he hadn't forgotten that he could have lost his life had Gisela not saved it. It was something he had pondered over many times. It was something he could not reconcile with. The decision would have been a difficult one to make. But I still should have been the one to make it, he reasoned. They didn't have the right to take it away from me. I had the right to choose death, even if they wouldn't have agreed with it. I had the right to choose death over living with this child growing inside of me.
/ "Because if you had truly wanted to be rid of the child it would be gone, the potion would have worked." /
No, these were not things he wanted to contemplate.
"You know thinking too much can be harmful for a man."
He started, eyes opening and neck jarring as he spun to stare at the red-haired intruder that had broken through his thoughts.
"Wh-What?"
"You shouldn't put so much thought into everything," Anissina warned him. "You'll end up like Gwendal, with wrinkles too early, die from stress-related health problems, only to be buried with a sour look stuck on your face for eternity."
She moved around the table, pulling out a chair beside him so that she could sit with her legs crossed and one arm propped on the table. "It seems that a lot has been going on in this castle that not everyone knows about," she replied. "And now Cheri-sama has left on another 'Cruise of Love' and Gisela seems to blame you, if all her glowering is any indication. Do you know how unsettling it is to see such a beautiful, strong woman scrunch her face up like she's just eaten a feast made up of all things found in the stables?"
Wolf frowned, propping his chin in one hand. "What is it that you want, Lady Anissina?" he asked her. "If it is to discover whatever has occurred between Cheri-sama and myself, you'll find that it is truly none of your concern."
Anissina laughed then, that gleam in her eye just as dangerous as ever. "I don't need to ask you what is going on, for I already know. Only one thing could drive Cheri-sama to run off as she did, with barely any forewarning or explanation. I'm not petty or nosy enough to actually care what type of argument came between you, only I have also noticed that you seem more distracted with every passing day."
"And what does that have to do with why you are here?" he inquired.
A hand snapped out, squeezing at his cheek. He jumped backwards, almost falling from his chair, but just managed to resettle himself.
"Must you always pinch me?!" he snarled.
The red-haired scientist clapped her hands together happily. "There's still some life in you!" she exclaimed. "I was afraid you were losing your spark! You've been paler than usual, you eat little at meals and you spend most of your time cooped up in the library and your study. Of course I was going to step in! I have never seen anyone that can be so bitter and cold at the same time when they are obviously meant to be so passionate."
"You've lost your senses!" he retorted back. "I behave as is according one of my position and duties. The fiancé of the Maou should not-"
"I think I am rather tired about hearing about the Maou's fiancé," she interrupted him with a dismissive wave of her hand. "For months it's been 'the Maou's fiancé this' and 'the Maou's fiancé that'. Never once have I actually been able to hear about what Wolf should do."
Wolf was not so deep in denial that he would ignore the obvious meaning of her words. Instead he turned his eyes away, and replied, "Until the engagement is annulled, Wolf shall remain 'the Maou's fiancé'. He is all that I am allowed to be."
The woman snorted, a hand coming down to smack the table in aggravation. "You are who you allow yourself to be," she stated. "I can remember a certain blonde who raged and demanded to be allowed to find himself and be his own person—pretty much saying to hell with his paternity or lineage—when he first came to this country. And yet I also recall watching as this blonde slowly turned into exactly what everyone else wanted him to be without really putting up a fight. Now he's angry that he let it happen, so he takes out his frustration and feelings of hopelessness on others rather than take a stand and stop letting others dictate how he should live his life." Anissina let out another derisive snort, not even bothering to look at him. "Rather pathetic if you ask me."
Nothing broke the ensuing silence for a few minutes. He could feel his hands clenching and his teeth grinded painfully in his mouth. Wolf wanted to deny everything she had just not-so-subtly accused him of, because she didn't know all that had occurred. She didn't know about the pregnancy or Cheri-sama's betrayal. Anissina knew nothing about him and only an outline of the life he lived before coming to Shin Makoku. Who was she to judge him? Who was she to claim to know his actions and motives so well?
And yet…
Am I so eager to remain angry because I want someone to blame?
Yes, he had been dissatisfied with the path his life was treading. He had felt trapped by all of the expectations and duties foisted on him every time Yuuri departed to the 'other world'. The pregnancy had only worsened the situation. Another chain to bind him to a world in which he did not belong.
But I am trying. I refuse to allow Cheri-sama to manipulate me any longer. I am making a stand.
…But am I fighting the wrong person?
"There you go thinking too much again!"
He turned back to Anissina, eyes darkened. "Why do you care? You seem more interested in causing your own brand of chaos than what goes on outside your laboratory."
She stood then, moving closer and bending down so that they were nearly nose-to-nose. A hand came up to pat him on the cheek that had been pinched, the harsh taps leaving it even redder than it had been. "That's the whole point," she smirked. "Only one person is allowed to cause chaos in this castle, and Wolf-chan, it's not you."
She backed away then, the twinkle of mischief in hers eyes there, but also mixed with something else that Wolf had never seen in her before. Perhaps it was understanding, or sympathy, or even camaraderie, but he would never be sure.
"You know, rather than thinking so much about the possibilities, maybe you need to decide on some definite answers," she told him. "And there are quite a few places you can go for that."
Now he could honestly admit that he didn't understand, but was certain that it would become clearer to him later on. Wolf was unsure whether to thank her for the 'advice' or simply let her go, but she didn't bother to wait. But the sudden question that came to his mind at that moment he couldn't hold back.
"Where is Günter? He's never late for lessons."
She didn't bother to turn back to him to reply.
"He was detained by the questions of a certain young girl about the 14th Maou's rather embarrassing Horse Affair Scandal."
Yeah, I was going to get to something else, only the chapter would have ended up long and ended awkawrdly. So a nice-length chapter for you all instead, and the next chapter definitely shouldn't take as long. Why? Because Winter Break is in two weeks and I've already started on CH21.