Disclaimer: see First chappie.

A/N: IMPORTANT! READ BEFORE YOU CONTINUE.

CHAPTER 6 HAS BEEN SPLIT AND REVISED some scenes were added...

I loved your reviews everyone and having mixed emotions about the last chapter I decided to split it into 2. (Hides and ducks to avoid unidentified flying objects from all directions.) Don't hate me too much. I just felt quite well... rushed when I reread the whole thing. Like I just wrote a summary of event from my head. Anyway, I think this will be a much better if it was separated in two. Tell me what you think though. I promise you'll get your Chapter 8 by Friday or Saturday at the latest. I'm really glad many of you decided to stick around.

A lot of Thanks to my reviewers from last Chapter:

geetac, Zafira, alice22, Shane, khae, Ritnou, FWielder, piyogu, nevynwatcher, , aishababy, Riku-sia , roseand, pandawolf, Hi!, CatOfTha'Dune88.

To TheLadyPendragon: You don't really think i'd let Wolfram take him back that easily, right? (insert evil sadistic cackle)

To Yuuram88: nice to see you sticking around.

To Princess Sin: nice to see you again... well about your question you find that out soon. I'm going to add a whole chapter on the curses history once Wolfram returns to shin makoku. Stay around for a while okay?

To aterjsa: wow long review... thanks. Flattery will get you... well somewhere... (chuckles) anyway, about your request. sure... why not? (shrugs) is not like I make money writing this stuff you know? Feel free to print it and present it... just hopefully you quote your source or else... karma be with you (chuckles)... there will be more drama... lots, lots more that you will feel its like one of those primetime teledramas (shudders)... half-kidding...

To The Witch Hunter: this fic is short? (chuckles)

To milkyxduckie: glad someone agrees with me.

To Rin's Adoptive Mommy: he will suffer so bad you'll probably ask me to end his suffering *laughs evilly too*

To getaiyou: Will there be anything between Lord Shardan von Christ and Rowan? That my dear reader is a rhetorical question (chuckles again)

To Behan: thank you for taking the time to post a long commentary. Glad you enjoyed the fic. Dont worry i'll update more frequently than that. I restarted my drafts again. I had to rewrite everything from chapter 6.

To EarRiel la fFion: oh the torture will come... why is it that everyone is out for Yuuri's blood... oh well... (evil, sadistic, ear-shattering cackle echoes in the morning air somewhere in the archipelago)

If I've forgotten to mention anyone, I apologize. A million thanks to everyone who had taken the time to read this little piece of mine. Hugs to all!

On with the story...

Cursed Heart by 83rd Twilight

Part II Chapter 7 Harsh Lessons

The priestess stood in her ceremonial robes. The smell of floral incense wafted in the air in a subtle aroma. The ground was strewn w ith fresh colorful petals. A soft, sweet melody filled the grounds of the ancient temple. The silk covered seats were filled with guests attired in their best formal garbs. The groom stands before the altar with strained smile on his face as his best man spoke encouraging words in a hushed tone.

"It is quite traditional for the bride to be a bit late, Shibuya. Even in the demon world," Ken Murata whispered laying a comforting and on his friends shoulder. "Maybe she wanted a dramatic entrance."

"It's almost an hour Murata. And none of her closest family is here yet." Yuuri answered glumly. He observed Conrad walking towards the entrance of the temple gates. His ruggedly handsome face a stoic mask. Yuuri would have wanted him to stand by his side today as the gallant soldier had always done but the king knew it wouldn't be fair what happened the man's youngest brother and would cause another political backlash that his reign just doesn't need. Conrad, Gwedal and Lady Cecille were gracious enough to accept his decision no matter how much it disappointed them, and he didn't want to cause anymore trouble for their family.

Yuuri desperately tried to get out of the dark path his thoughts are treading. It was a day of celebration. He looked at Murata again.

"Maybe she changed her mind."

Before the dark-haired sage can reply, sobbing woman entered the temple grounds. It was Arania's mother. She brings with her a heartbreaking news. The young king rushed on to meet her.

"Oh, Your highness! I bring terrible, terrible tidings!" At the desperation in her voice the Maou paled.

"Has something happened to Arania, madam?" he asked dreading the answer.

The woman just sobbed louder and nodded her head. With much effort she sneezed quite loudly into her embroidered hankerchief and composed herself as well as she could.

She sat at one of the chairs while the king kneeled in front of her as she told her tale.

"At around dawn this morning your majesty, my daughter was taken from her rooms. I can still vividly hear her screams in my head. Oh my poor daughter. We tried to open her bedroom door but it was locked. After my husband and some of the servants were able to force their way in, she was gone. Looking out the window, we saw several cloaked men getting away with swift horses. I can still see her pale white gown fluttering in the wind as she was taken away by the rider in a brown husband led and dispatched our men at once. They began a frantic search but there was no sign of our Arania at all. All that they found were tracks leading to one of the kingdom's southern borders. They had to stop when they reached a crossroad because the traces of the horses' hooves pointed in all directions. My husband sent a man to follow each track. They haven't returned did not know how to tell you that she is missing. "

The woman's face was stricken with grief. "Heika, please, I implore you. Save her!"

Yuuri's face paled as his mind processed the news. It was his wedding day. It was supposed to be one of the happiest days of his life but this... this was just plain unacceptable.

Dread began to rise up inside him and angry raw power began to envelop the once calm aura that surrounded his countenance.

As he rose, his face grim and angry, the Maou walked towards Conrad. The older half-mazoku understood what needed to be done. Within a matter of minutes the rejoicing mood of the temple grounds became abuzz with preparations of a different kind. As Gunther and the other hastily took care of the ensuing diplomatic ramifications, Yuuri Conrad and surprisingly Gwendal hastily returned to the palace to plan a rescue.

Before the end of the day, the Maou led an expedition to recover his bride. He was relentless and almost careless in his frenzy to find his beloved and deal out his justice to those who took her.

He searched for her at the borders and beyond. His party interrogated passersby and people from the village borders hoping to find some clue or sign of her whereabouts. Messages were sent out to their spies outside the realm asking them to be on the lookout for her as well.

The king was taken away from Shin Makoku for several months but no traces of his lady and her mysterious captors were ever found. As predicted, Yuuri wouldn't give up this tiresome endeavor. He wouldn't lose hope. He is fiercely loyal enough to his friends. It is obvious that he will be utterly devoted to the one he is in love with.

A few months into the ordeal he was convinced, at last, by his ever faithful nazukeoya to return home with promises of rethinking strategies and gathering resources. Three months of scouring the possible places where they might have taken her had taken its toll on the soldiers. It was also worrisome that they haven't received any messages by land or air from Shin Makoku. Sir Gunther Von Christ and Lady Anissina Von Khrenikov were left in charge of the kingdom as Gwedal firmly insisted to accompany the Maou on his quest. It was probably his way of saying that he has somewhat forgiven Yuuri for whatever offense he may have deemed him guilty of.

Those who were left behind would usually send a messenger bird or a courier at least once a week so as to appraise the heika about current news in the kingdom. But no note has arrive over the past five weeks. With a heavy heart the young demon king acquiesced and reluctantly turned back. Their party retreated to the Shin Makoku shoulders slumped in weariness and defeat.

What they did not expect to upon stepping on the kingdom's ground was to discover a civil war brewing. The outer villages near the capital city was in an unstable state. Outcry about the Maou abandoning his duties and leaving the kingdom to the wolves reached the said Maou's ears a few hours after arriving. What was really disturbing though was that the Lavelles have reportedly turned ended their allegiance with the Maou and tried to take over the kingdom by mutiny. They spread unsavory rumors about the young ruler and tried to turn the citizens against him in his absence. Many believed that this was because off the kings failure to recover the Lady Arania. However, it was later learned that the clan had ambitions of usurping the thrown long before the current Heika's reign. Further investigation led to the conclusion that the members of the Lavelle clan had been involved, albeit discreetly, with several failed insurrections and rebellions against the throne way back time. Their involvement skilfully covered by their low key profile at the royal court. They have finally seen their chance after the Maou expressed an interest in one of their own. When their plan to establish themselves failed after her disappearance, they took another route. They have garnered secret allies from the Maou's political enemies and critics who belived him to be too pacifistic and softhearted to ever be the powerful, firm leader that Shin Makoku needs. Lord Lavelle and his allies attempted to overthrow the king's administration in the absence of the Maou. The pieces began to fall into place at last.

Finally faced with these hard facts, Yuuri realized that the Lavelles only wanted power and that's what they had always been after. He was a convenient tool and they only used him and his emotions to try and achieve their personal ends. They used Arania to beguile him and manipulate...

The train of thought cuts off as the bitter realization hits him with full force...

And chaos came forth....

The wrath of the 27th Demon King was something that many would hope to never behold again. It was on that fateful day of his return that everyone, allies and otherwise, began to truly see and respect the terrifying power possessed by this seemingly gentle and simple young man. Those who witnessed that day will never forget the sight and feel of it. And those who once questioned his power and worth never will do so ever again.

The midday sky darkened like a starless night, the winds surged in all directions carrying blinding dirt and dust. The atmosphere was cloaked in an aura of anger and betrayal. Hail and rain pelted down like a million arrows, as thunder and lightning struck here and there, the earth shook and vibrated with each step the Maou took. The supporters of the rebellion were separated from the rest of the populace by the horrible orange colored bandanna with the Lavelle crest that they wore around their foreheads or upper arms. The leaders of the coup and their followers were rooted to the spot, frozen, unable to run as gnarled roots pulled at their feet, holding them prisoner. They stared as the king approached them almost too calmly with undisguised fear in their eyes.

What happened next guaranteed that rebellions like this will be avoided in the future. Or at least until the end of this demon king's reign. The maou had done an impossibility. The like of it was never seen before. He created a power surge that sucked individuals in like a vacuum until each and every mutineer disappear from sight. It was later proven that the rebels weren't killed, as many had thought as confirmed sightings of them were reported by the spies. What happened was that they were merely teleported to places beyond the borders, their magical signatures banned forever from entering the demon kingdom. A feat never accomplished by any Maou before... permanent banishment from Shin Makoku.

Days that followed passed by in gloom for the rest of the kingdom. The weather grew unstable, one minute the sun is out, and on the next torrents of rain falls with thunder and lightning in tow. The winds are calm then all of a sudden there is gustiness. Many people stayed indoors. The everyday routines were interrupted by the outbursts of the sky.

Purportedly, the Maou had locked himself in his room and no one could approach it, except for a few people including Lord Weller, princess Greta, his parents and older brother. It was said that the Maou's room was never used again after this personal confinement and that the cleaning staff needed six months to repair the room. The royal chamber was moved to another wing of the castle.

After a several weeks the weather cleared up a little. One morning, Yuuri-heika came out of his hiding place after a long closed door discussion with Lady von Khrenikov the night before (read: anissinna forcibly entered the room using one of her inventions and blackmailed Gunther and Gwendal into guarding the hall so there will be no interruptions). No one but the two parties involved knew what was spoken of but for some reason the Maou returned to the throne changed man the next day.

As his first agenda, he immediately went to personally take care of business. The remaining Lavelles and families of their allies were exiled from the kingdom and their clan's name was permanently stricken off the population archives of Shin Makoku. The properties of the guilty parties in the thwarted overthrow were raided by the soldiers and seized by the royal palace. The land and establishmets were used for the improvement projects in the kingdom. An orphanage, a few healing stations, four schools, recreation areas, plantations and public gardens were constructed under the king's watchful eye making him even more beloved by his people.

Yuuri continued his weekly visits to the villages. He unquestioningly did his tasks with a sense of dedication that he had never displayed before. He starts early in the day just as the sun rises and sleeps at around or even after midnight. He threw himself to his duties. And his people knew it was his way of coping with everything that had happened as well as punishing himself for follies.

A harsh punishment for an even harsher lesson.

This began four years ago. And so it remained until the present.

And every few days, no matter the season, rain touches the earth...

And hidden in a secret drawer inside the king's new chambers several worn out pages laid peacefully. They was found by Conrad himself under Arania's bed during the acquisition of Lavelle Manor. A letter that was dated the night before the wedding...

My Dearest Yuuri,

I don't know where to begin... Maybe I should start this letter with an apology. By now, you may have realize that I am not marrying you. I am so very sorry. I know how much you loved me and I loved you too as best as I could. But I cannot fool myself any longer. I refuse to live the rest of my life with a great lie. You see, long before I met you there was another. I will not speak his name as it is of no consequence. He and I... we grew up together and were promised to each other since we were quite young. By the time we understood what that meant we had already fallen in love. He was and always will be my soulmate. My first everything. He worked as a spy for Shin Makoku as it was his family's trade. He was often away for missions. I somewhat resented his profession for taking him away from me for long periods of time. But we were true and devoted lovers. Passionate and full of affection.

Three years ago, he left for a mission to Dai Shimaron. It was only a simple relay mission. It was only supposed to take abut a week or two at the latest and it was supposed to be his last mission before we say our vows. I waited many months but he never came back. His own family declared him officially dead after six months. I was so devastated. We were to be married when the leaves begin to fall that year. My family allowed me to grieve for a few months before encouraging me to go out and live my life again.

The night we met was the first time I went to a celebration after my ordeal. You were a great comfort to me. And the idea that gaining your interest was flattering indeed. Your manner strongly reminded me of him. Unpretentious and easygoing, yet strong and determine to succeed. Is it a wonder why I succumbed easily to your charms?

My father and uncles of course encouraged our association. You may have noted by now how ambitious they could be. I'm sure you're closest advisers have warned you of them. However, there was the problem of your engagement with Sir Wolfram von Bielefeld. At first I only intended to be your friend, but you were just so sweet and patient and enjoyable to be around that I found myself disregarding your status. In my own selfish desire to ease my pain, I did not see that I was causing someone else's heartbreak. For anyone with eyes can see how much he loved you. And how he fought for you and failed, besotted as you are with me. I stole you away. He left because of me.

I honestly believed that I had your heart. I thought that I could be happy with you, and will easily learn to love you. But unbeknownst to me, and I swear by all I hold dear Yuuri that I didn't know... I didn't know til a week after we were engaged that my mother has been serving you a forbidden aphrodisiac every time you visited the manor. She must have gotten it at a black market in a human territory. I didn't know. I swear I didn't... If I had then maybe I wouldn't have been... The feelings you profess to me so passionately were but effects of an illegal potion. The night of the ball our conversation were casual and polite if you remember but your demeanor began to change after that first visit to our house. It wouldn't be right to hold you to me when we will never be sure if your feelings are even real. But I was so alone at that time and my relatives have been pressuring me to play the role of fiancee to alleviate their stats at court. I was afraid of what you might do.

Six months after we were engaged, he came back Yuuri. He came back! For me! He met an accident that almost cost him his life three year ago. He lost his memory while he recovered and only remembered almost everything a few weeks back. The first thing he did was to return home so that we may fulfill our promise. I missed him so much Yuuri.

When he heard the news of our betrothal he was beside himself. He demanded that my engagement to the Demon king be dissolved on the account that my first engagement was never officially broken. But my family was adamant about me marrying you. They wouldn't let me choose my own path.

I loved you Yuuri but only with what's left of my affections. Most of my heart and soul have long been given to someone else.

My lover and I, we planned to elope two months before the wedding. However, not everything went according to plan because my cousin and longtime confidante betrayed me to my parents. Now the the sent some people to harm my beloved. He had to hide. And I had to pretend. So we were delayed. Tonight, the eve before our wedding is the only hope for me to escape and to spare you more grief in the future.

I'm so sorry for all the pains that this might cause you. Perhaps it is for the best, for now my family will not be able to use me to fulfill their ambitions. A part of me will always care for you Yuuri and I hope one day you will be able to forgive me. I will always pray that you find your own true soulmate. One who will completely own your heart, body, and soul. Someone who will be able to give you the things that I never could. I'm sorry.

Sincerely,

Arania Lavelle.

Chapter end...

A/N: thanks for reading guys... let me know if i've done the right thing. Chapter eight will be out by friday. I'm polishing the draft but it might take me until friday coz i've got pre-finals coming up.

I've given you a preview of wolfram's letter but the chap's mostly in Yuuri's point of view after the events of these chapter approximately a little over 5 years after wolfram left and it will also have a connection with a certain cause curse... Anywayz, see ya...

Ja, mata ne!

83rd Twilight 2009