Gunter was in full lecture mode. He held a book proudly in front of his face, his face glistening with the prospect of having the king's attention to himself. Yuri did his best to sit up straight and keep himself from falling asleep. He didn't want Gunter to moan and complain about his perceived insensitivity for the next week. So Yuri had to pretend to be entertained or at least awake.

He snuck a glance at Conrart, momentarily tuning Gunter out. Conrart was in his usual spot, standing by the window, leaning on the wall. His face was turned toward the window, staring out into space. Staring out into space seemed to be all Conrart did since Rozalia left a month ago. Yuri went back to Earth a week ago in hopes that when he came back, Conrart would have either gone out and confessed his feelings to Rozalia or returned to his old self. Conrart did neither and he resolved to stare out into space, worrying the people around him.

Conrart stared out the window, only seeing one face. He didn't know if Rozalia's face would ever disappear into the fog of his mind or would it remain there clear and haunting forever. Memories of her pulled themselves into a circle over and over again, blurring together, making Conrart's head ache. Her smile, her tears, her laugh, her sobs, her happiness, her sadness, her embrace, her frown, the image of her turning away from him. All of it spun round and round in his mind with no end in sight. Conrart closed his eyes and bit back a sigh. This was going to be torture.

A knock on the door stopped Gunter midsentence. Yuri mentally thanked whoever it was as Gunter allowed them in. It was a maid.

"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived," the maid said and handed the envelope over to Yuri.

"Thanks!" Yuri said, accepting it as the maid curtsied and scooted out of the room. "Could we take a small break, Gunter?"

"Of course, Your Highness," Gunter agreed. "Please do read your letter."

Yuri tore open the envelope and his eyebrows raised a fraction. "It's an invitation," Yuri announced.

Conrart's eyes flicked toward the invitation in Yuri's hands.

"Invitation to what, Your Majesty?" Gunter asked excitedly.

Yuri read, "You are cordially invited to the wedding of…" Yuri glanced uncertainly at Conrart.

"Whose wedding, Yuri?" Conrart asked with a smile though he couldn't hide the slight sound of pain from his voice.

Yuri continued, "… the wedding of Lord Holter Conradi and Lady Rozalia Anwen von Laurent."

The room was silent. Conrart had gotten a faraway look in his eyes. Gunter was watching him warily, not knowing what to do or say. Yuri glanced at Conrart, a worried expression on his face. Yuri dropped the invitation into a cabinet.

"We don't have to go, Conrart, if you don't want to," Yuri suggested.

Conrart snapped out of his daze and quickly put on a winning smile. "We couldn't do that," he said. "That would be rude."

"But Conrart-ʺ

"Excuse me," Conrart said, pushed himself away from the wall, and walked out the door.

Gunter and Yuri exchanged looks.

Conrart walked in a daze. The wedding was going to go on. What else did he expect? He gave her no reason to call off the wedding. Holter offered her everything she wanted and needed: love, care, affection, attention. He sighed for the umpteenth time that day. What was he going to do with himself now? He didn't deserve her. He drilled the truth of that statement into his head so many times since Rozalia left. A vision of her smiling at him flashed through his mind. Conrart squeezed his eyes shut. He might be losing his mind.

"Wow, this is a pretty castle!!" Greta laughed, turning in a circle, twirling her new sky blue dress that was bought specifically for Rozalia's wedding.

"Yes, Laurent Castle is one of the more aesthetically beautiful castles in the Great Demon Kingdom," Gwendal agreed.

"The wedding will start in the Great Banquet Hall in an hour," the servant explained. "You will be summoned before it begins."

"Thanks," Yuri said and watched as the servant bowed and scooted away.

"Did you see all those bouquets of flowers?" Lady Celi giggled. "Oooh, I hope I catch the bride's bouquet!"

"Mother, please," Wolfram sighed, his brow twitching.

"Oh, Wolfy, you're so hard on me," Lady Celi complained to her younger son. "But I'll have fun tonight! There are many strapping young men here!" Lady Celi's eyes practically sparkled as a troupe of groomsmen walked past.

"Mother!" Wolfram exclaimed, successfully preventing his mother from following the groomsmen.

"Oh, I never get to have any fun."

Conrart's smile dropped off his face as he turned toward the window. He noticed the sun would set soon. How odd, he thought. Rozalia never wanted a sunset wedding in a large banquet hall with thousands of guests. She wanted something simple and uncomplicated. This was no doubt Holter's idea. He managed to bite back a sigh. This was supposed to be a happy occasion. He was supposed to be happy. Yet why did the idea of sitting back and watching the woman he loved for so long bind herself to a man like Holter make him want to stab himself in the eye with his trusty sword. Maybe Conrart didn't deserve Rozalia but he knew full well that Holter doesn't either, that wretched scoundrel.

Conrart closed his eyes and will all his tension to ease out of him. Funny, he thought. He always assumed he would be the one to marry Rozalia. He supposed Rozalia did feel something for Holter. She had a chance to call off the wedding and she didn't. This is what she wants, he decided. Who was he to stand in her way? What was he doing here? He didn't know what he'd do or how'd he react if he had to watch Rozalia marry someone else, if he had to watch as he lost her forever.

"Are the windows that fascinating, dear?"

Conrart looked over and found his mother grinning knowingly at him. "No, I was just thinking," Conrart admitted shiftily.

"Yes, I was told you've been doing a lot of that lately," Lady Celi chuckled and then sighed, looking out the window herself. "I've always been fond of Rozalia. She's a dear sweet girl."

"Yes," Conrart agreed.

"I quite enjoyed her company while she was still at Covenant Castle. I've always wondered why she left," Lady Celi gave Conrart a look that suggested that she already knew. Conrart couldn't form an answer in his head. "In any case," she continued, "I hope she'll be happy. I hope she'll make the right choice. Living your life with one whom you cannot possibly love is torture, don't you think, darling?"

Conrart was silent for a while. "Yes…"

"I can only think of one fate worse than that," Lady Celi said, giving her son another meaningful look. "And that is to watch those we love slip away from us completely and do nothing about it."

"Mother…"

"But we don't have to worry about that during a wedding, now, do we?" she laughed and turned away from Conrart. "You know, I heard the strangest thing when the maids passed by. They said the bride was in her bedroom and would stay there until the ceremony." She gave her son another furtive look. "If someone wanted to have a private chat with our lovely bride, I'd say now is the ideal time to have it."

Before Conrart could answer his mother, Lady Celi rushed to the king's side and wrapped her arms around his neck, shouting how debonair and regal Yuri looked in his formal clothing. Conrart watched in amazement. His mother was a shrewd one, he admitted to himself.

Rozalia stood in front her full length mirror in the wedding gown Holter had suggested for her. It was a bit much in her opinion. The skirt had far too many layers for her taste and the bodice had far too much sequins. She supposed she'll grin and bear it. She'd only have to wear it for a few hours anyway. Then she thought of what was to happen once she takes off the wedding dress and she involuntarily gulped.

She sighed as she forced salacious thoughts out of her mind. What was she doing? Was she actually going to go through with this wedding? Was she actually going to marry Holter? Could she really love him? Rozalia's mind turned to Conrart as it often did. She wondered if he was one of the guests congregated in the banquet hall. She wondered what was going through his mind. She wondered if he even cared. Rozalia sighed and stared at herself sadly. She needed to stop it. She was supposed to be a happy bride. She was supposed to look lovely and happy and in love. Conrart's kind eyes flashed through her mind. Her hands curled into fists. She wished she could see Conrart one more time before she lost him forever. She might be losing her mind.

A knock came to her door. She hastily composed herself and tried to look excited. "Come in."

Rozalia watched him enter and her eyes grew wider and wider. Conrart stood looking at her, a sad smile painted on his face. He turned briefly and closed the door.

"Hi," he said simply.

"Conrart," Rozalia said, unable to keep the surprise from her voice.

Conrart stared hard at her face as if trying to imprint it forever in his mind. That's when he noticed her wedding dress. He didn't know how she moved under the weight of all that layers. "You look… poufy," he commented, trying to laugh.

Rozalia touched the skirt of her gown uncomfortably. "Holter suggested it for me," she offered as an explanation.

"Don't take it the wrong way," Conrart added. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you."

They were silent for a long while. Conrart just stared at her. He wanted to remember her face forever. He didn't know if he'd ever see her again after this. Surely, Holter would prevent his new wife from seeing him ever again after this. Holter would be the kind to do just that. Rozalia watched him stare, wondering why he sought her out. He looked remarkable in his formal clothes. He was too handsome for his own good.

"Conrart, what-ʺ

"I wanted to talk to you before I left," Conrart said.

Shock lit up Rozalia's eyes. "You're not staying?"

"No, I…" Conrart said, smiling sadly at her, "I have something I need to take care of."

"Oh."

After another lengthy silence, Conrart turned back towards the door. "Well, I must be off," he said, a hand on the doorknob. "I only wanted to-ʺ

"Conrart," Rozalia interrupted him. "Do I… still have your blessing?"

Conrart didn't answer her for a long while as he stood rooted to his spot. How can she ask him that while she stood there in her wedding gown? Conrart closed his eyes. "I wish you happiness, Rozalia," he said, turned and smiled at her one last time. "I always have."

Rozalia watched as he walked out the door. It was probably the last time she'll ever see him again.

"There are so many flowers everywhere!" Greta commented as they all sat in the banquet hall, awaiting the bride.

"You said it," Wolfram agreed, practically sneezing at the plethora of flowers everywhere.

Yuri leaned toward Gwendal and asked, "Hey, where's Conrart?"

Gwendal frowned and looked around. "I have no idea," he answered. Gossip causing fool, Gwendal thought to himself. Gwendal decided to chew him out later for it.

The music picked up into a crescendo and everyone turned to the doorway. Rozalia paraded in, holding a large bouquet in her hands. She looked as if she was about to sneeze. Greta pointed this out to Wolfram. Wolfram sneezed himself.

Rozalia noticed Holter beaming at her. At least one person is happy, Rozalia thought. Rozalia felt a sinking feeling as she took each step. This was it. She would be signing off her loyalty, her devotion, to this man. She should be content, shouldn't she? Holter adored her. He had adored her for years. He offered her love when she was twisting in pain. He told her that she wouldn't have to hurt anymore. He told her she didn't have to be alone anymore. Why, then, did she feel more hurt than ever? Why, then, did she feel more alone?

Rozalia stood in front of Holter and tried to give him a happy smile. She swallowed and accepted her fate. Memories of Conrart flooded her mind. She remembered meeting him as a child, playing with him, she remembered dancing with him in balls and parties, she remembered chasing him through the garden, she remembered nagging at him for climbing that infernal tree, she remembered the first time he kissed her in that tree, she remembered the first time he said he loved her, she remembered his embrace, his eyes, his laugh, his face. He was fading from her. She was losing him and it was her own doing.

Holter squeezed her hand and gave her an encouraging grin. Was this how it's going to end…?

The double doors were pushed open and Rozalia heard the thousands of guests they had turn towards the entryway.

"Conrart!" she heard the voice of the king exclaim happily. Rozalia's eyes widened. She didn't dare turn around. Was she imagining things? Was he really here?

"Rozalia," she heard Conrart say.

Rozalia finally turned around. There he was standing in the doorway, breathing hard, fire in his eyes. The dark orange skies outside made him look like he was glowing to everyone in the banquet hall.

"Conrart…" Rozalia whispered.

Her heart beat faster and faster as he walked closer and closer to them. He stopped halfway, not taking his eyes away from Rozalia.

"I can't do it," Conrart finally said. "I have to say this. It's time that I did. I still love you. I suppose I still need you. My heart felt the same as it did before. My feelings never went away. I thought I could do it. I thought I could walk away and allow you to disappear forever. But I couldn't do it. I can't lose you forever, Rozalia. I won't allow you to disappear. I need you."

Rozalia stared at him. She felt as if her heart has melted and she felt tears run down her face. Was this happening? Was this really happening? She stared at him. She had never seen him so worked up in her entire life. She had never seen him so determined. She couldn't find her voice. She didn't know what she should say.

"Rozalia…" Conrart said, imploring her with his eyes. He felt his entire body shake with tension and anticipation. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let her go. He had poured himself out to her. She only stared at him. "Please say something."