After leaving Greta with Wolfram, Conrad walks down the hall and back outside to the courtyard. It sounds cliché, but the sun is burning brightly overhead, birds are singing in the trees, and there's a gentle breeze blowing through the trees in the courtyard, making a gentle rustling sound. In short, it's the kind of day his majesty would have enjoyed. Or rather, the kind of day he would have found a way to skip out on doing paper work so he could run off and enjoy himself.

Conrad walks aimlessly around the courtyard, drowning in thoughts of his majesty and how much he wishes he could join him on the other side and hating the fact that he cannot. Despite the overwhelming grief filling his heart he knows he is needed here to see to the ones his majesty left behind. He realizes that now, thanks to Greta.

He spots a tree on the opposite side of the courtyard through tear filled, hazel colored eyes and makes his way over to the tree. He clenches his hands into fists at his sides and vents his anger and frustration out on the tree, but no matter how fiercely he attacks it, it will never bring his majesty back from where he is now.

/How... how the hell did this happen?! There's always someone by his side. How did that man manage to get inside Yuuri's room and kill him, and without any of us knowing? Without me knowing? It doesn't make any sense! Uhhh!/

Conrad screams in anger and frustration in his head and strikes the tree again. He doesn't care that the outer edges of his hands have chaffed and are starting to bleed as a result.

"Get a hold of yourself, Conrad. That's an order."

"Gwendal."

Conrad stops his assault on the tree and leans forward, his forehead pressed gently against its trunk.

"Were you able to get any information out of the prisoner?"

"I don't think he did it."

"How can you say that when he was caught red-handed? I know his majesty would never approve but, considering the crime, the prisoner should be executed, don't you think?"

Conrad pulls away from the tree and straightens and turns to face his elder brother, a cold-hearted expression on his tear stained face.

Gwendal takes one look at his younger brothers normally happy and smiling face and frowns in concern.

/I don't think I've seen Conrad this upset since Susanna Julia passed all those years ago. I hope he can keep it together until we can find out the truth about what happened to his majesty./

Gwendal clears his throat and addresses his younger brother in a no-nonsense, authoritative tone.

"Listen. If I'm right, then the person we have locked up in the dungeon is innocent and the real culprit is still out there. If that's the case and said person believes, that we believe, we have the real murderer in custody, he'll let his guard down, allowing us to capture him and to punish him however we see fit. However, I need to know you're on board before we can proceed further."

Conrad considers his elder brother's suggestion for a moment before slowly calming down and sighing heavily.

"I know you would never suggest such a thing unless you were absolutely certain that we had the wrong person in custody. I just hope your plan works and fast! I want this matter resolved as quickly as possible."

Gwendal nods in response, grateful for his younger brother's understanding and cooperation.

"As do I. The sooner we get this over and done with, the better. Come, let us tell Gunter and Wolfram about our plan and get your hands taken care of."

Gwendal turns and starts back across the courtyard.

/I still have to make arrangements for his majesty's... Damn, why did this have to happen now?/

"My... hands...?"

Conrad pauses and holds his hands up in front of his face and stares at them in confusion. He turns them around and sees the injuries he acquired when he attacked the tree earlier and sighs. He lowers his hands and follows him.

"Yes, brother."

In the office, Gwendal tells Gunter about his conversation with the prisoner and how he believes in the man's innocence and his plan to draw out the real murderer.

"... In the meantime, we must proceed carefully. There's no telling what the culprit might do should he find out about our plan."

Gunter listens intently to Gwendal's plan and nods.

"I agree. Now, that his majesty is gone, we must be extra careful not to tip the murderer off. We can't make a single mistake. Do you have any idea who the murderer might be, Gwendal?"

"Whoever it was, he was able to get past security and to move about the castle freely without arousing suspicion."

"Which means the murder is someone who doesn't look dangerous or threatening at all and instead looks completely innocent."

Conrad chimes in, a troubled expression on his face.

"It's hard to believe that anyone who lives and works in the castle would want to harm Yuuri but, since that's what big brother thinks, then it must be true. The only question is who? Who here looks sweet and innocent but who secretly harbors such ill will towards Yuuri?"

Wolfram waltzes inside and frowns thoughtfully. It's difficult for him to imagine anyone wanting to hurt someone as kind and loving as his deceased husband.

"Wolfram. How's Greta?"

"Hm? Oh, she's still sleeping. I left her with one of the maids and instructed the maid to come get me should Greta wake and need comforting."

"You're a good father, Wolfram."

"Thank you."

Wolfram looks down with his eyes closed and thanks Conrad for the praise. He doesn't have the energy to respond any other way.

"That's what we're going to find out."

Gwendal answers his youngest brother's earlier question, determination reflected in his voice.

/I won't rest until I find out who killed his majesty and why. I promise, Wolfram, everyone./