Five-forty in the afternoon that day…

After Wolfram finished brushing his steed, he was surprised to see Dacascos running toward him waving a frilly-looking piece of stationery in his hand. Even from twelve paces away Wolfram was almost certain that it was from said piece of paper that a very strong yet rather pleasant orchid fragrance was wafting. Mother, the youngest prince thought, a tic forming not-so-subtly along his brow. Nevertheless the blond knight held out his hand and took the proffered note, the poor panting messenger not having to explain himself.

The note said:


Wolfie!!!

Hugs and kisses, my itty-bitty darling baby who looks exactly like me!!!

If it pleases you, I would so very much like to have you over for tea at my suite, just you and me. Would you like that, darling?! I had your favorite CREAM PUFFS made in vast quantities while I was visiting your father in Bielefeld last week, because I so want to stuff your little chubby cheeky-weekies with all these treats! Darling Dacascos was kind enough to volunteer to bring my little note to you, isn't he sweet? I couldn't find any of the maids. Darling, please say you'll come, or I will just have to ask Dacascos to grow his hair, and you know he doesn't like that. Kisses!!!

Her Irresistible Foxiness,

26th Maou of Shin Makoku Cecilie von Spitzveg

PS: I LOVE you, sweetums!

This, however, is what Wolfram read (he's right on the money too):


Wolfram!!!

I want to hug you to my bosom until you can't breathe and I want to drown you in kisses because I love it that you look exactly like me!!!

I don't care whether you want to or not, but you will come to tea in my suite because I want to talk to you privately about a serious issue and don't you dare not come because I went all the way to Bielefeld last week to buy vast quantities of your favorite CREAM PUFFS to soften the impact of what I want to scold you for even though the last thing I ever want to see is your father's handsome face (and that awful new – if you call 15 years new—wife of his). If you don't show up, I will personally see to it that ANISSINA grows Dacascos' hair, and you know he won't like that. Kisses!!!

Wolfram sighed, the twitching of his brow ceasing at his surrender. If Dacascos dies, he was next in line to be Anissina's test subject after all. A shudder made its way up his spine, then down again. I guess I'm going to go to tea then, Wolfram concluded.