Disclaimer: please see Chapter 1

ATTENTION: THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN REVISED! See chapter 7 for infos.

A /N: Hello everyone... I do apologize for leaving you guy hanging... it wasn't my intention, honestly... almost two years now... I would have updated sooner but well... life happens...

(it includes my pc becoming junk over a year ago along with my drafts...)

but i'm back to fanfiction after a year and a half of absence... hopefully for a long time yet... as long as plot bunnies are invading my head... i'll try to update my fics ASAP (re: once a week) now that I have a bit of time since i'm back to school... but I assure you that

anyway, a huge THANK YOU!!! to everyone who stayed with this fic and those who (im)patiently e-mailed and pinged me... I never thought that i'll actually have a decent number of readers... so anyway this is for those who patiently waited... again GOMENASAI minna... I promise to do better this time round and try to update my fics ASAP (re: once a week) now that I have a bit of time since i'm back to school... thanks for sticking around. :-)

And Reviews are, as always, very much appreciated. Thanks.

This chapter's all Yuuri's...

To my reviewers:

Cursed Heart by 83rd Twilight

PartII Chapter 6 Raindrops

The clouds are gathering overhead. Again. As the sky darkens, a man looks up from his work and resignedly shakes his head. But it is nothing to wonder about anymore these days. It would be far more surpising if rain doesn't fall for more than three days. Even in the midst of summer. On the bright side, everyone knew that this land wouldn't be touched by drought for more seasons to come. And everybody was thankful that the rain showers arrive in moderation as opposed to the torrential downpours, midnight thunderstorms, or hailstorms that fell a little over four years ago.

Who knew that the 27th Maou was truly as powerful as the prophecies indicated? That his very mood has the ability to influence even the weather system of the whole Shin Makoku? It was certainly unexpected. This young man who came from another world seemed to rival or even surpass the greatest of the demon kings. Yet his heart remained gentle, just, and true in the eyes of his subjects. His kind, smiling face and easygoing demeanor also made him one of the most well-loved Maou in history.

What made him different from most of his predecessors was that he personally took the time to visit the villages and interact with common folk. He often plays with the village children in the afternoons, teaching them that sport he loves from the other world. Sometimes, the king could even be found helping out in menial tasks that most court nobles would easily find to be most...plebeian. The young ruler was even quoted to have said that he enjoys his trips to the villages because it takes his mind off the stress of his responsibilities and at the same time learn about his people, their need and how to be a better ruler.

As to the 'stress' he nonchalantly alluded to, many interpreted it as the 'stress' to caused by the ever headache inducing palace politics and... personal problems. More particularly, personal problems involving relationships.

By 'personal problems' the gossipmonger would eagerly take it to mean 'scandalous love afairs'.

Yes. Scandalous. Love. Affairs. Something those who knew him from his other home would never think to associate him with. Yuuri Shibuya ex-wimp extraordinaire with the innocently charming smile and once timid demeanor, the young teen who never thought he'd get a date til he was twenty had a tumultuous, scandalous love-life that sent the rumor mills of Shin Makoku into overdrive several years ago.

A little over five years past, the maou's ex-fiance, the beautiful, passionate and controversial Sir Wolfram von Bielefeld disappeared without a trace the night after his birthday party. Theories and speculations about his sudden disappearance were so numerous that an official statement had to be issued by the his immediate family as an attempt to end the most morbid of hearsays. The first whispers told of a heartbroken prince who couldn't accept his love's decision to cut the bonds of their troth for another, so he took his life one fateful night and the Maou covered everything up so as to avoid another scandal. There were also varying versions of stories about a scorned lover that always ended with a dead blonde prince. There were also tales of a vengeful ex-lover who tried to kill his beloved's new fiancee, but his plan was thwarted so he was (depending on whether you are located on the east side or north side of the realm) either killed in the struggle, committed suicide when he had failed or ran away to the human territories in order to avoid punishment. Still others, claimed that the prince had also found his own true love and eloped with another (the gender of his lover varies depending again on the location). Another popular theory, particularly among the hopeless romantics, is that the blonde nobleman may have left to forget, to start his life anew and heal the wounds of his badly broken heart...

If ever there was a common factor in the stories though, no matter how ridiculous and surreal many of them seemed, it was the uncontested existence of a brokenhearted, green-eyed, blond lord.

It wasn't a question of love. It never was. Because everyone in the Demon kingdom knew of the young lord's unquestionable affection, undying devotion, unfailing loyalty and, as some would argue, an unhealthy passion bordering on obsession with the dark-haired king.

However, the general public also observed the king's reticence, his hesitance to show an affection equal to the beautiful young lord. That is not to say that the maou did not care at all for Sir Wolfram. Far from it, it's just that it was noticed by all and sundry that Yuuri-heika treats the young prince as he does his closest associates like Lord Weller, Lord von Voltaire, or the reincarantion of the great sage Ken Murata. Furthermore, he also seemed to be quite embarrassed everytime someone brings up the issue of his bethrothal to the Bielefeld heir. Wolfram may not be as well-loved as Yuuri but over the years he became a quite a popular figure in the kingdom as well. That's why many would like to believe that he just up and left. That he is alive somewhere and will return one day with a happy smile on his face and an equally beautiful new lover by his side.

The official statement from the ex-royal family confirmed that the blond prince just left the realm and will be absent for a number of years to "explore and understand the vastness of the lands beyond Shin Makoku". Many subjects released sighs of relief at the confirmation that he only went away. Unfortunately, no one who had some semblance of sanity believed the reason given as to why he left.

After emerald-eyed lord was gone, the Maou was often found in a sullen disposition for a few weeks. There was even a time when tension was palpable between the Maou and the prince's family. However, that sorted itself out in the following days. Mild showers were common afternoon occurences at the time. For a while, it seemed that the young monarch missed Wolfram's fiery disposition but not too much since he was chiefly occupied by his upcoming engagement to the lovely Arania Lavelle. The lady in question was favored by many of Yuuri's people all through their notorious courtship, even when he was still with Wolfram because she was the epitome of the perfect queen. Her wavy purple locks, her clear blue eyes, slim figure, winning smile, and pristine appearance are very easy on the eyes. Aside being beautiful she was also graceful, intelligent, well-bred, softspoken, even-tempered, and eloquent. And while the young king's fiance at the time had the face, the nobility, grace and eloquence, he still exhibited at times the temper of a spoiled brat and the jealous tantrums of an insecure lover. Many questioned his mental disposition to be the Maou's consort. But the deciding factor that turned the tides from Lord Wolfram to Lady Arania was the Maou's evident partiality to the latter. His obvious infatuation was detected early on as he danced with her all night at a ball, while never even sparing a dance with his then bethroth. He was reportedly seen to wear a silly lovestruck smile on his face after an afternoon visit to her family manor. And then there was this look of utmost affection and concentration that he gives her when they are in deep conversation as opposed to his half-resigned expression when listening to a certain blonde. As beloved as Yuuri is, adoring public all wanted to see their leader happy and in the arms of the one he obviously cares for the most.

The king wasn't even being subtle about his interest with the young lady. Many afternoons, the king's carriage was seen outside the Lavelle Manor's well-trimmed grounds. Servants whisper of how the black-haired monarch would sit in the garden with the Lady and the Madam would order the maids to serve them warm sweet tea that was brewed by the mistress of the manor herself and biscuits that came from the most expensive bakery in town. The king would always spend a few hours three to four afternoons a week just conversing with Lady Arania and her family.

It was the scandal of the decade. It was really a slap in the face of the young Bielefeld, to have his fiance blatantly flaunt his catamite in front of him. And to think that the king and his fiance were already sharing a bed! But the indignant public was quieted down as they saw smile lighting up the Maou's face everytime she around him or is mentioned in a conversation with him no matter how passing. How she never seemed to overstep her bounds and that it was king who pursues her with fervor. Pity and slight irritation followed Lord Wolfram's occasional outbursts and immature actions.

When the engagement was broken, no one was surprised. What many came wonder at was why it took so long before it fell through. A lot of people felt bad the abandoned fiance but deemed that it was for the best. And as they saw that little changed between the relationship of the Maou and the prince after a few weeks, they assumed that things might end on a happier note. Until the beautiful young lord left.

The official engagement of the Maou to Lady Arania came three months after Wolfram left. It was celebrated with the traditional pomp of royalty. The wedding date was also set to take place exactly a year after. The pair made a beautiful royal couple that for a while pictures and paintings of the king and his gorgeous new fiancee became fast selling commodities in the land.

But the adoration of the people at the match began to wane.

A few months into the engagement, rumours began to circulate around the kingdom. Several members of the Lavelle clan were starting grow quite bold in their actions around the country. Drunken barfights and petty misdemeanors involving some clan members were being to be hushed up by the mere mention of their affiliation with the maou, confident of escaping punishment for their acts.

The Lady's family began to show up in court with all of their regalia. Their status rising steadfastly among the nobles as one of their own prepares to sit beside the king's throne. Members of the main branch began to insinuate themselves into court politics. They suggested some unpopular policy changes in the land as the maou indulgently lent them his ears. Extravagant balls began to be sponsored at the royal palace amking the citizens wince slightly at the overindulgence. There were whispers of illegal underground businesses being run by some members of the main and lower branches on the Lavelles. One of these was a growing secret slave trade of humans to some demon colonies. All these went unnoticed by the lovestruck Maou who was greatly enamoured by his future bride. He began to falter slightly in his responsibilities. His advisers were starting to notice several things amiss. Gwendal, Conrad and, even Gunther voiced out there opinions. (Well Gunther more like sobbed and wailed and bemoaned.) But the maou just brushed off their concerns with a silly smile telling them not to be too paranoid. Gwendal nearly had a fit but was somewhat reasonably calmed by Lady Annissina. Which resulted in Greta and Eru receiving a whole new collection of stuffed, knitted creatures.

As for the regular citizens, they perceived the changes being made in the kingdom with disapproval. The Maou's visit to the villages had dropped drastically. When he does visit, he sometimes brings his fiancee along and he doesn't stay long anymore, reasoning that his lady's constitution was quite fragile. When he does go alone, he would always be quick to squash the rumours and justify the actions of his future bride's family. The brazen attitude displayed by some of the Lavelles did nothing to help things quiet down. The general population began to smell the beginnings of trouble. That's when the people of Shin Makoku realized their error. That's when they began to think that maybe it would have been better if the Bielefeld heir remained as future consort. At least with him, there were no pretensions, no hidden agendas. In the last two decades, they have seen several improvements in him. There is honesty in his passionate outbursts and an adorable quality when he tries hard to learn menial chores to please his wimp. Life in the kingdom was much simpler and livelier back then. Alas, they cannot turn back time.

Then it happened.

The day that changed everything. A day was met with less anticipation that it was a year past.

The Maou's wedding day. It was beautiful day that suited the occasion. Sunny skies and fair gentle breezes. The palace lavishly decorated at the behest of the bride's family. No expense was spared for the intended joyous celebration. Joyful music filled the air early on. The kitchens awoke even before dawn. The reception area was meticulously prepared for the guests, local nobles and foreign representatives. The troops were assembled, armors and shields shined to perfection for the royal parade. A massive wedding cake was brought to Shin Makoku by the grooms parents.

But at the beginning of the ceremony... to the surprise of everyone...

There was no bride.

End Chapter 6

A/N: So how was it? Were you disappointed? Unexpected huh?

Actually there's a twist. Did

I am finishing my draft for chapter 7.

here's an excerpt from it... a part of Wolfram's letter to Yuuri:

"...I love you Yuuri. I don't now if you were too dense to realize that, because i'm most assuredly not shy about my feelings. Perhaps you think that you were being kind to tolerate me these years. But it was actually quite cruel to give me all those mixed signals especially when i'm liable to interpret them the wrong way feeling the way that I do about you.

Sometimes I wish I could hate you like most jilted fiances do. I gave you everything I thought I could give. But nothing I do was ever enough for you reciprocate my feelings. I often ask myself why I don't seem to be good enough for you. Perhaps I am not. But hopefully I will be good enough for someone out there someday. I will not be too bitter about wasting two decades of my life in love with someone who doesn't see me anything more as a friend or a brother because I love you too much for that . Don't make me regret letting you go wimp. Be happy and don't feel too guilty okay?

I'm still you're best friend and I will forgive you... eventually. I'm just upset that you're gonna be somebody else's wimp now...."

Reviews are much appreciated.

Thanks for reading and hanging on minna!

See you on the next chappie.

83rd Twilight 2009