Hi again. Well, Chapter two is a good bit longer, though, no fear, this will always always be a CONYUU fic. I've had some problems negotiating the site, but, believe me...that's user error! So, when I can get this situated appropriately, I'll be cooking with gas! Anyway, in this chapter...I spent a lot of time with Gwendal. Because, well, Gwendal is awesome and I wanted him to have not only advice to give, but a backstory of his own. Thanks again for reading!

Gwendal came out of Conrad's room just in time to see Yuri's skin start to glow rather blue. He sighed and stepped between the Maou and Gunter—the chief adjutant's thumb was resting precariously close to the hilt of his sword.

"What you say makes no sense, Gunter. Why are you keeping me from Conrad?" Yuri glared around Gwendal's chest at his once gentle advisor.

The beautiful man returned the icy stare and refused to budge from his post that just happened to be in front of the door to Conrad's chamber.

"I have told you before, Heika. Sir Weller is ill and your presence disturbs him. Don't you want Conrad to recover, or is it that you don't care at all? Perhaps you simply intend to bully him into getting better?"

"Who are you and what have you done with Gunter?" Yuri questioned under his breath.

The two men had been going around in this particular circle for more than an hour—Gwendal had kept a running meter in his head even as he was looking in on his younger brother. And now the king was threatening to release the power of the Maou inside him. Gwendal glanced back at Gunter. He'd had enough.

"Heika, please stop this madness. Will destroying the castle do anything to make Conrad heal faster?"

The king sucked in a breath and suddenly the blue glow was gone. Left in its place was one apparently chagrined ruler. Gwendal watched as the boy scratched the back of his neck and a blush suffused his cheeks.

"I just want to see Conrad."

Gwendal hesitated a moment, then shook his head. "I'm sure Gunter has explained, Heika. Conrad is still not conscious, but he is restless and…sometimes violent in his motions. It would be best if you stayed away for a little while. Let the healers do their job."

Gwendal held his breath while he watched the king debate with himself. He didn't want this to go down the wrong road. A headache began somewhere in the vicinity of his left eye, and he sighed. This was worse than negotiating between warring countries. No one moved for a long moment, then Yuri finally grunted.

"I'm coming back, Gunter. We're not finished here." The king's words were laced with heavy meaning, and seemingly satisfied at making his point, the young ruler turned on his heel and walked away.

Gwendal waited until the Maou was out of sight, then turned to his friend. "Gunter, I know you love Conrad—maybe even as much as I do, but antagonizing the king is not the best way to show it."

"I love them both." Gunter's mouth was pressed into a firm line. "But this cannot be allowed to stand, Gwendal. The boy has no right to ask this from his protector."

"It isn't like Yuri-Heika could have predicted this. None of us did."

"Don't you think I'm aware of my failings?" Gunter hissed. "I never even saw this coming, yet the signs have been there for months."

Gwendal pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to control the pounding of his head. "No one is blaming you, least of all me. I missed the symptoms, too. I didn't realize that it had gone this far."

"I have given that boy everything, Gwendal. I have, daily, confessed my love to him, affirmed my loyalty, tried to teach him our ways and our history. I have done everything in my power to show him that I place him above all others—and he STILL thinks so little of me that he would unleash his power? Doesn't he see that I'm on HIS side?"

Gwendal reached out a hand and stroked Gunter's soft, pale hair. The gesture was automatic, a sign of intimacy without unease. "Some part of him knows, of course. I don't believe the Maou would have harmed you—he's just angry and hurting. Don't be too hard on him, Gunter. We were all young once."

"I suppose I should go an look for him?"

Gwendal shook his head. "No, old friend. I'll go. Please do what you can for Conrad."

Gunter looked as if he might object for a moment, but finally he accepted with an elegant ripple of his shoulders. "I will do my best. Have you called for Yozak?"

Gwendal nodded. "Conrad's slipping fast if that black eye your daughter is sporting is any indication. I think soon only you, me and Yozak will be strong enough to handle him. And Shinou help us all when we are no longer enough."

"I pray it does not reach that point."

Gwendal swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump that seemed to have formed in his throat at Gunter's gentle words. "From your lips to the King's ears, my friend. Now, I'll go and look for the boy."

Yuri walked in a blind fury, cursing Gunter with every step. What the hell happened to the overly emotional, dramatic, but always kindly advisor? Usually, all Yuri had to do was say two words and Gunter would instantly move to accommodate whatever desire Yuri expressed. Who was this hard, cold man who looked at him with such disapproval? Sure, Yuri had seen plenty of evidence of Gunter's prowess in battle. He was, as the Europeans might say, a hard man—not one with which to trifle. Gunter was more than a match for even Gwendal when it came right down to it. Yuri knew this and yet…and yet…he had never thought those frosty violet eyes could be directed at him. What the hell was wrong with the world? Didn't anyone understand that all he wanted was to be close to Conrad? Could Yuri even count the number of times Conrad had stood silent vigil at his own bedside? Why was he not allowed to return that loyalty in kind?

Propriety. The word was whispered in the back of his mind, and Yuri thought, finally, of Wolfram. Perhaps it wasn't strictly appropriate for Yuri to loiter around Conrad, but his soldier was sick—gravely so, and Yuri didn't care at all what anyone else thought. Or what gossip might arise. He only cared about making sure that Conrad was safe and well the same way his knight had always watched over him.

Coming back to himself, he found himself in the portrait gallery. He never bothered stopping to look at the Orginal King or the Great Sage. His mouth quirked into a grin. Conrad had asked him about it once and they'd both laughed heartily when Yuri mentioned he could just phone Murata if he wanted the Great Sage, and looking at the Original King just made him feel like the portrait was undressing him with its eyes. No. He'd always been drawn to one portrait in particular—a woman with soft brown hair and warm, laughing green eyes. Something about the portrait comforted him.

"I bet you were a really kind person," he whispered.

"She was."

Yuri turned on his heel to find Gwendal standing behind him. How had the general managed to approach him so quietly?

"Do you know who she was, Gwendal? I've always wanted to ask."

"Lady Abigail Von Voltaire."

Yuri sucked in a breath—the woman was related to Gwendal. He hesitated, because even after these years in Shin Makaku, Yuri was still wary of angering the rather taciturn military commander.

"Abigail is a very pretty name," he ventured.

"Lady Abigail Von Voltaire," Gwendal repeated. "How she hated that name. Sometimes you remind me of her, with the way you always insist people call you Yuri. She would narrow her eyes in the just the same way when someone called her Abigail and say—Abby! Abby! Abby! Why can't you remember that?"

"What did you call her?" Yuri asked.

Gwendal turned toward the young king, and Yuri bit his lip. The stoic, grim general was smiling. It was a trick of the light, perhaps, but in that moment Yuri could see Conrad's soft, gentle smile. They really were brothers.

"I called her my beloved wife, Heika…because she was. She truly was."

"Your wife?" Yuri stumbled over the word. Of all the responses he thought to receive this was not one of them. He was so surprised that he offered no resistance as Gwendal guided him by the elbow and urged him to sit on a nearby bench. "How…?"

Gwendal wasn't looking at him though. His eyes were fixed on a point far distant, and Yuri suspected his general was looking toward a place in the past Yuri would never be able to see.

"She was a maid, here, in the castle. I've always wondered how much courage it must have taken her to knock on my door that morning. I don't know if you know it, Heika, but I have a reputation of being a somewhat intimidating demon."

Yuri paused for a moment, then chuckled breathily as he realized Gwendal had just made one of his very rare jokes. "Really?" he smiled. "I had no idea."

"Ah, but it's true. Some people even call me slave driver." Blue eyes cut toward him, and Yuri realized he'd been caught. "Although, I have never heard that directly, of course."

Yuri blushed. What else could he do? How many times had he grumbled that complaint to Conrad where it concerned the soldier's older brother?

"Gwendal…may I ask…?"

The older mazoku nodded. "I've not spoken of her in many years. I think I would like to, if you have time, Heika?"

Yuri almost passed out. Gwendal…asking to share something that might have an emotional component? He assured himself that Conrad would be ok without his interference for a little longer—because he knew that if Gwendal wanted to talk about something, then that something would be important. His general was just that kind of man.

"I would like to know more," Yuri said.

"She had a timid knock. I barely heard it at first, and when I did, I thought maybe there was a mouse in the castle scratching at my door. She knocked again, a little louder. I got up and answered, and there was, on my doorstep, a little maid there, a hand pressed to her stomach. She looked like she thought I might roast and eat her, but she took a deep breath, begged my pardon and asked me if I had any news of a certain soldier under my command."

"I'm very sorry to disturb you, Lord Von Voltaire. I…I am trying to get in touch with Mauser-kyo, and was told that you are his superior?"

Gwendal looked down at the maid and noticed, in passing, that she was a pretty if somewhat timid little thing. She bit her bottom lip, worrying the flesh between her teeth and all he could think was that she was so very, very cute. But, Mauser's name cut through Gwendal's happy thoughts. The man was a Lothario of the first degree, and a maid coming to look for him couldn't be a good thing.

"Mauser-kyo is on assignment right now. I am only in sporadic touch with him, as his assignment is of a sensitive nature. Did you have a reason to get a message to him?"

The young woman rubbed her abdomen gently, her eyes misting over and Gwendal felt his throat catch. No woman had ever looked like when thinking of him, of that he was very sure.

"No, sir," she whispered, finally. "It can wait a while, and hopefully he will have returned to the castle by then. I am so sorry to trouble you. Please excuse me."

"It's no trouble, I assure you," Gwendal found himself saying. "May I ask your name, Miss?"

"Abigail Owen, my lord."

"Very well, Abigail." Gwendal was about to dismiss her, but something in him rebelled at the thought. "You may return about this time tomorrow, and I will let you know if I've had any news."

The girl's face flushed completely pink and Gwendal shoved his fists in his pockets to prevent himself from reaching out to trace the line of her spreading blush.

"You're so kind! Not at all like people say about you!" The girl slapped her hand over her mouth and peeked up at Gwendal from eyes that were almost squinted closed. Then Gwendal did something he hadn't done in years. He laughed.

"I'm so sorry, Lord Von Voltaire. I don't know what happens, but my mouth sometimes just refuses to obey my mind's commands. It's just that everyone knows how much you dislike humans, and well, I'm a human, and you're just so…so nice!"

If it were possible, she turned even more red and Gwendal couldn't resist this time. He reached out and played with the brown fringe of the young woman's bangs since her face was tilted downward in a pose of abject mortification.

"Come back tomorrow, Abigail. There's a good girl, now tell me you will."

She looked up then and the smile she shot toward Gwendal seemed to stop his heart. "Abby! You must call me Abby, and yes sir, I will come tomorrow."

Yuri waited patiently for the older man to come out of his reminiscence. He could picture it just the way Gwendal described.

"I don't know how I let her go that day, but I can tell you that I didn't sleep that night, and I accomplished no work the next day because I spent the morning waiting for her to come to my door."

"Did she return?"

Gwendal nodded. "Yes, Heika…she came that day and every day after for many months."

"She was pregnant, wasn't she, Gwendal?"

The general nodded again. "Yes."

"Did Mauser-kyo return?"

"Not for a long time. I heard from him of course, and about him from his own commander, and it was just as I feared. I always told Abby that he was fine, still on assignment, but he was also cutting a huge swath through the hordes of unmarried daughters in all of Dai Shimaron. Abby had been brought to the castle by her parents in an outlying village. She believed Mauser loved her. I'm sure he'd made his case very sincerely. He was like that—smooth and practiced. You know what I mean?"

Yuri nodded, but he really didn't. He didn't personally know any ladies' men and the only person he was interested in…well…he wasn't supposed to be interested in him in the first place. He perked up when Gwendal began speaking again.

"It wasn't long before the entire castle knew of Abby's condition. There's no hiding it after all. She still came to my office every day, but she looked worn down, as though her smile couldn't reach her eyes. I did some investigating, and discovered that her immediate superior was a woman very attached to morals. She did not approve of Abby's pregnancy since there was no husband and she worked Abby twice as hard for it."

"That's awful!" Yuri exclaimed.

"Yes, it was." Gwendal agreed. "So, I fired the older woman and informed the new staff that Abby would henceforth be working for me and Gunter, helping to transcribe documentation."

"…and?" Yuri asked when the silence between himself and Gwendal had stretched too far.

"She napped most of the morning away on the sofa in my office and I knitted blankets and toys for the baby. Then, when she would wake up, we'd settle into work. It's not easy for a human woman to carry the child of a mazoku. It takes a great deal of energy and the mother is often exhausted."

"Did she live upstairs, you know, where the maids are now?"

Gwendal made a noise of assent and his eyes grew distant again. "I debated for hours whether to visit her room when she'd left her wrap in the office. I didn't want to start needless gossip, but it was already circulating. Most of the castle was convinced that I'd taken her as my lover and the child was mine. At first, I was shocked, but as time went on, I found myself wishing the rumor was true. Still, I didn't want to impose myself upon her. I was convinced she saw me only as a good friend, maybe even a protector or someone who'd helped her out when circumstances were unfortunate. She was doggedly committed to Mauser, she showed that, so I never pushed the issue. I was content, you see, if only she was close to me…do you understand what I mean, Heika?"

Yuri nodded slowly. He understood better than the general thought.

Gwendal stood outside her door for the longest time, and finally raised his hand and knocked. It's not like he was there to seduce her, God knows he wasn't even there for a chaste kiss goodnight. She left her shawl in his office. He was returning it. End of story, simple, right?

"Please, come in."

Her sweet, soft voice…a little sleepy. Gwendal swallowed hard. Could anything ever be as sexy as that sleepy, smoky voice? Only if it was purring 'Please, Gwendal, come…," offered his mind and he quickly clamped down on the thought. Opening the door, Gwendal was his by chilly air.

"Abigail, it's much too cold in here! It's not good for you or the baby!" Gwendal struggled to keep his tone light while still communicating his displeasure. Quickly he crossed to the fireplace and grabbed the bucket of coal.

"It's Abby, my lord, and please, don't trouble yourself—NO!"

But her shout was too late, Gwendal had already tossed all the coal onto the fire and was stoking the blaze. "I don't intend to argue with you, Abigail. And I brought your shawl with me, so you should wrap up until I get this room warm, then I'll get you some tea, and…"

Gwendal broke off as he heard small sobs coming from the bed. He turned around and saw the young woman with her face buried in her hands. He felt like throwing up.

"Abby?" He paused and cleared his throat. His voice was much to high and strained. Cautiously, he approached the bed. She was still crying. He sat on the edge. She was still crying. He reached a tentative arm around her shoulders. She was still crying. "What did I do, Abby? Tell me what I did wrong, and I'll fix it, I promise."

She smacked him on the chest. Hard.

Gwendal looked at the offending little hand. It hadn't hurt, but…what?

"That was all the coal I had for the week, my lord!" She then launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his shirt. "Why do you always do that? Why do you always just…do?! I'm not like you, my lord. I can't just walk into any place in the world and just take over. I'm not strong like you. I'm just an…idiot who got herself pregnant, and I don't deserve your kindness or your concern, but…I really needed that coal!"

"Abby?" Gwendal's head was spinning. She made no sense of course, but that hardly mattered because her arms were around him and somehow his arms had snaked around her and pulled her closer still without his even knowing it. And when did he start pressing fervent little kisses to the beautiful mass of soft brown hair on her head? "Abby, if this is about coal, I can get more. We have plenty."

She shook her head against his chest and pressed closer. "Maids are only allowed one portion, a bucketful, per week, and even though the entire castle thinks I'm your lover, it's been made clear to me that I won't get special treatment—not that I'd want that even if I was your lover, not that I would ever be your lover because I'm huge, and ungainly, and unsophisticated, and human…and you're…you're perfect."

Gwendal concentrated on breathing. Perfect? Him? He wouldn't complain or argue—just hold that one small piece of information close to his heart. She wouldn't even remember it when the morning came. But…that part about the coal. That really bothered him. He had never approved coal rationing. He would discuss it with Gunter.

"I will get you more coal, Abby, I promise. Please, please…just stop crying," he crooned against her ear. "Don't worry about anything. Didn't I promise you I would take care of you—I'll take care of everything. If I had to, Abby, I'd carry you, barefoot and bleeding, out of any danger. Please don't worry. You're not an idiot and you're not alone."

Gwendal felt a strange movement against his side and Abby went stock still. Her tears seemed to evaporate but her breathing was still hitched. She looked up at him and he was drowning in soft, endless green eyes. "Gwendal," she whispered, almost fearful. "Did you feel that?"

His brows knit together. "Feel?" She gasped against his throat and grabbed his hand, pressing it against her rounded belly. Then he felt it, a light, feathery fluttering sensation against his fingers. Closing his eyes, he marveled at the feeling, a small life making its presence felt, literally, for the first time. If he was surprised before, he was stunned when he felt soft lips touch his own. It was not a lover's kiss, but something that was, to him, more important.

"It's the baby, Gwendal!" Abby sighed against his lips. "We did it…it's our little one saying hello!"

"We did it," he agreed softly, feeling again for the soft butterfly fluttering of the baby. Why did it hurt so much when Abby used the words "we" and "our"? Probably, he reasoned, because he wanted so badly for it to be true. One night won't hurt, though, his traitorous heart whispered. It would be ok to pretend for just one night that this could be his family.

"What happened next?" Yuri whispered.

Gwendal came out of his reverie. "Well, I nearly killed Gunter when I discovered it was his idea to ration the servant's use of fuel, and after that there was no way for me to hide my feelings for Abby from him. The winter grew colder, and Abby became heavier. She tired very easily then, and I often found myself trying to conduct a war with a sleepy, pregnant woman attached to my chest. Understand, Heika, a woman pregnant with a mazoku child feels even more need to be familial than usual. I'm sure you've noticed how deeply our family bonds run, and while Abby was still trying to believe that Mauser would come back for her, she wasn't stupid. I extended myself to her, and no matter what her decision, I was prepared to spend the rest of my life attending to her in whatever role she could find for me, so long as I could be near her."

"Did Mauser ever come back?"

"He did. Almost a year after Anna was born."

"Anna…beautiful name."

"And she was beautiful girl, but very…opinionated. Abby, myself, Gunter, and just about every other person the castle spent that first year trying to soothe that tiny, yet savage beast. She felt everything very keenly…and she was not afraid of letting her displeasure be known."

"So, she was a cranky baby?"

Gwendal smiled. "You could say that."

"So, what happened?"

Gwendal was in his office when he heard the commotion and shouting in the courtyard. He was on his feet, running flat out, with Gunter hard on his heels. Abby and Anna were in the courtyard. He didn't even bother with the door, simply used his maryoku to blow it off the hinges as he ran to the entrance. He skidded to a halt, Gunter slamming into his back, as his mother, the Maou, held up her hand.

"No need to tear the castle apart, Gwen! We're about to see the triumph of true love!"

Gwendal looked in the direction of his mother's sweeping hand and felt his knees buckle. He would have fallen but for Gunter's bracing arm around his waist. Abby…HIS Abby…and Anna…HIS little girl were safe, but there was a dashing, charming soldier standing much to close to them for his comfort.

"Just one little push, Gunter. They're right at the bottom of the stairs…I could be so fast…"

"Absolutely not," Gunter whispered, tightening his surreptitious hold on Gwendal's swordbelt. "In all these months, have you truly not learned anything about her? Stupid. Just watch."

Gwendal trembled with anger as Mauser touched Abby's cheek. "I thought you would be happier to see me, darling. I've been away so long…and our child…"

"Stop it!"

Gwendal stumbled a step backwards, nearly tripping on Gunter, who still kept a death grip on him. He had never heard Abby shout before.

"But Abby…I love you, darling. What's wrong?"

"My name is Abigail, Mauser-kyo and don't you dare speak that word. Don't you dare say LOVE to me. What would you know about love anyway? Nothing, that's what. You want to know what love is? Love is being there every day…EVERY day. Love is taking shifts walking an inconsolable child all night long. Love is being there, Mauser-kyo, through every small moment of the day that eventually add up to a life. Love is protecting someone, and caring for them, and holding them when they cry, and feeding them when they're hungry and making them laugh when they feel ugly and stupid. Love is about what is real…and nothing about you is real. Love is immense, and powerful. It's waking up and your first thought being when can I see him, is he all right, did he sleep well, and is he happy—and if he isn't happy, making sure you do everything in your power to bring about that happiness. Love is strength, and power, and honor, and commitment. Love is…silent…."

"Abby…!" Gwendal gasped.

When she turned around, Gwendal realized he'd spoken aloud.

"Gwendal," she said. He felt like he was flying, she'd never said his name, his given name, outside of the safety of his office.

He watched as she made her way up the stairs to stand close to him. He couldn't look away, her heart that she so closely guarded was reflected in her eyes, and the look of love and devotion was directed at him. In his most private fantasies he had never hoped for such a look from her. It took him another long moment to register the stinging sensation on his left cheek. He finally broke his gaze to stare at her small hand, the palm was red.

"Answer her right now, and if you break her heart, I swear I'll run you through with my sword!" Gunter's hiss brought Gwendal back to reality.

"Yes, Abby…with all my heart, forever. I love you." He felt numb until her face broke into that smile…and he realized, finally, that it was his smile…the smile she saved for him alone. She loved him. She had loved him, even as he loved her…and he hadn't known until just that moment. "Gunter, take your niece."

Gwendal took his daughter, yes, HIS daughter from her mother's arms and handed her to a proud and teary Gunter. Then he swept Abby into his arms and carried her back inside the castle. The rest of their communication that day was private, though not in the least silent.

"I'm a grandmother!" Cheri exclaimed as he disappeared inside. "Now I can spoil this child without mercy!"

Gwendal's soft laugh brought the tears that had been standing in Yuri's eyes down over his lashes. "She was the first, and so far only, commoner to ever propose to a noble in that fashion. And as the years passed, I learned that as strong as people sometimes think I am, she was by far the stronger."

"Silent…Gwendal….?"

The general nodded. "My mother bred that flower and gave it my name, yes, but it was because of Abby."

"But…where…?"

"She was killed, Heika, about ten years later, by humans—our enemies—in order to break me. However, she was human…and even if that had not happened, she would not be here today. It was a long time ago."

"What?! How can that be the ending to such a romantic story? And where is Anna? And did you have other children?"

Gwendal took a deep breath. "No, Heika…when she was murdered, Abby was pregnant with our child. I raised Anna, with Gunter's help, and with my family's help. Wolfram was no more than a baby when Anna left the castle to take the reins of her own life. I can't say exactly where she is right now, but she will return, and likely when we least expect it."

"Oh, Gwendal!" Yuri didn't think put hugged his general tight. "I didn't know. I'm so sorry for your loss…I…I….forgive me, please."

Yuri felt Gwendal's affectionate pat against his shoulder. "Don't apologize, Heika. You are not at fault here. I was, at one time, well loved, and truly cherished. Not many people have that chance at all in their lives, and I consider myself fortunate. Love is precious, Heika…not to be squandered."

Yuri let go of Gwendal's coat, his mind racing. He couldn't pin his thoughts down, but his throat felt tight and uncomfortable. He thought about Gwendal and what he went through before he could have his Abby. It made him think of Wolfram and Conrad, and then his feelings were even more muddled than before.

"Love is hard," he whispered. "It is so important, but it can hurt so much."

"Yes, it is and it can," Gwendal agreed. "But it is worth it, Heika. Even if you only have it for a little while. But I think my Abby was right. Love is silent, and sometimes you don't know until you're in the middle of it."

"And Gunter….somehow I find it easier to imagine him running you through with a sword after today."

Gwendal chuckled. "Gunter is a romantic man by nature."

"You know…I always thought you and Gunter…"

"Were a couple?" Gwendal finished Yuri's thought and the young boy blushed bright red. Gwendal scoffed a little. "No, Gunter and I have never been physical lovers but we are very close. We have been through love, war, and babies together. Who do you think pulled second shift when Gisela was an infant?"

Yuri grinned at that.

"No, Heika…in my heart, still, I am married to Abby. I have lived many, many years since she died, and I would have lived none of them without Gunter. I lost myself after she was murdered. I didn't want to move forward without her, but I was responsible for Abby and my responsibilities to Shin Makaku…Gunter didn't let me lose sight of that. I owe him a debt greater than I could ever repay. He is closer to me than a mere lover."

"Responsibilities…." Yuri whispered.

"Responsibilities, a commitment to honesty, and living each day as though it were your precious last. And telling the people you love what they mean to you. Abby taught me those things. You should listen to her, too, Heika."

Yuri wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. "Gwendal…thank you for telling me this. I would like…I would like to take a walk now if you don't mind."

"Of course, Heika. Shall I call a guard?"

"No, don't bother, or should I say…just tell them to stay out of sight like you normally do." Yuri grinned when Gwendal blushed slightly…quid pro quo. There were things he knew, too, after all.

"Gwendal…one last thing…why do you put up with me?"

The general looked shocked. "You're the Maou, Heika. And beyond that…you are genuine, and have great potential despite your foolish antics. I believe in you…Yuri. You will do the right thing."

Yuri felt the weight of the world fall on his slim shoulders. The weight of Gwendal's expectations felt heavy and he felt inadequate to the task. The older man must have known what he was feeling because he slung an arm over Yuri's shoulders as he walked him to the stairs.

"It's all right, Heika. You're not alone. Trust the people who love you. Now, go, walk, and think. And…if it's not too much trouble…do you think you could possibly get around to reading the treaty I put on your desk last week…and if you can let go of the baseball long enough…maybe you could even sign it?"

"Slave driver!" Yuri gasped, winking at the gruff, unsmiling face of his general—whom he would never call gruff or heartless again. Then he sped down the stairs, suddenly anxious for the sunshine. His heart was still sorely troubled. Conrad was not ok, and he had much to think about.

Ok, there it is...chapter two. In Chapter three...Conrad gets violent and Yuri takes drastic action! Thanks again!