Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A tense quietness filled the castle. In a guest bedroom on the second floor, Gisela, the castle’s healer, worked diligently. Gwendal lay on the four-poster bed, breathing shallowly and painfully, his shirt removed to reveal lengths of crisp white bandages wrapped around his chest.

Yuri entered the room, his heart sinking at the sight of Gwendal's injuries. He hesitated by the door, unsure whether or not Gwendal was conscious. Seeing his typically stoic and strong retainer in such a vulnerable state stirred an emotion deep within him. When Conrad told Yuri the extent of the injuries Gwendal had sustained during his beating by the courthouse soldiers in Svelera, he was shocked. Thinking back on it, Yuri felt childish and selfish for not having fully appreciated how much the esoteric stones and abusive treatment had injured him. Gwendal had impassively shielded Yuri from harm the whole time they were held captive together. He wondered solemnly whether Gwendal's toughness came from being a demon or from his life as a soldier.

Slowly, Yuri approached the bed and knelt beside it, pressing his forehead against Gwendal’s limp hand, which he gripped tightly. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized the extent of Gwendal's sacrifice to protect him. The emotion he felt overwhelmed him, and he began to sob, feeling helpless and guilty.

As Yuri’s tears fell, a faint glow began to emanate from his hand where it covered Gwendal's. Gisela noticed the glow and her eyes widened in surprise. She moved to intervene but hesitated, sensing the intensity of the flow of magical power.

“Your Majesty, stop!” she finally called out, her voice urgent. But Yuri seemed deaf to her words, his focus entirely on Gwendal.

“Yuri! That’s enough,” Gwendal's voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding.

Yuri blinked, snapping out of his trance. The glow faded, and he looked at Gwendal in astonishment.

Gisela stepped forward, her expression serious. “Using too much healing magic can harm the user. You need to be careful.”

Yuri stared at her, stunned. “I... didn’t know I was using magic.”

Gisela’s eyes fell on the blue stone pendant resting on Yuri’s chest. “Susannah Julia was an expert healer, but overusing her powers past their limit was how she died,” she explained gravely. She turned to Gwendal, carefully removing his bandages. The injuries had healed into fresh, thick pink scars.

Pressing her hand firmly to different places on his chest and back, Gisela frowned seriously in concentration, before letting out a relieved breath and smiling. Patting Gwendal hard on the shoulder, she advised, “Take it easy for a week: no sword use or lifting anything heavy. After that, you should be fine.”

With her professional duty done, Gisela left the room, leaving Yuri and Gwendal in awkward silence.

Gwendal sat up on the edge of the bed, looking comfortable but visibly tired. Yuri stood self-consciously, his emotions swirling inside him.

“I’m sorry,” Yuri blurted out, his voice trembling. “I didn’t realize you were so injured. I thought you were fine…”

Gwendal, stoic as ever, replied, “I didn’t want you to know.”

Yuri's eyes filled with tears again. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice. “Gwendal, I know you think I’m just a kid and that I’m not fit to be the Maoh. But you’ve always been there, protecting me, even when I didn’t realize it. When we were in Svelera, I saw a different side of you. You’re not just the stern general everyone sees. You care about your people, about your family... about me.”

Gwendal's expression softened, a flicker of surprise crossing his features as Yuri continued in a rush of words.

“I know I can be naive and reckless, but I want you to know that I’m really grateful for everything you do. And... I’ve come to respect you, more than I thought possible. You’re not as scary as I once thought. In fact, you’re one of the most honorable and kind-hearted people I’ve ever met.”

Yuri hesitated, then added, “I’m glad I got the chance to know you better. And... I hope you can see me as more than just a burden.”

Gwendal watched Yuri intently but said nothing, his expression unreadable. Yuri, feeling flustered and exposed, turned and rushed out of the room.

Gwendal shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips. He stood up and stretched tentatively, marveling at the absence of pain from his once-broken ribs and deep gashes. The speed and thoroughness of the healing was remarkable, and for a moment, he allowed himself to feel gratitude for Yuri’s unintentional magical outbursts.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the dining room buzzed with excitement. Everyone congratulated Yuri on his healing abilities and expressed their gratitude for Gwendal’s safe return. The room glowed with warm light from the chandeliers overhead.

Lady Celi, dressed seductively in a low-cut, body-hugging dress, moved gracefully through the crowd. After dinner, when everyone stood in groups talking, she swept over and wrapped her arms around Yuri, pulling him into her perfumed embrace. Then, clutching him by the arm, she dragged him over to Gwendal, crushing them both in an affectionate hug. 

Still embarrassed about his earlier confession, Yuri avoided looking up at Gwendal’s face. His cheeks burned with the memory of his gush of heartfelt words. Excusing himself, he made his way over to where Conrad and Günter discussed swordsmanship techniques. He listened intently, hoping to distract himself from the awkward feeling.

As the evening progressed, the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the room. Yuri tried to focus on Conrad’s explanation of a particular parry, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Gwendal. He stole glances at the stoic general, who seemed engrossed in conversation with his mother.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the far end of the hall. Josak and Wolfram were engaged in a drinking contest, their voices growing louder and more boisterous with each passing minute. The others watched with amused smiles as the two attempted to outdrink each other.

Conrad, noticing the situation getting out of hand, stepped in. He placed a firm hand on Josak’s shoulder, bending down to speak in his ear, and guided him away from the table. Looking slightly wobbly, Wolfram protested weakly, but Conrad’s calm authority prevailed.

As Conrad escorted Josak to bed, the gathering began to unwind. Members of the household bid their farewells, and the once lively hall grew quieter. The tension of the day’s events slowly dissipated, and feeling relieved, Yuri made his way to his own quarters, prepared to get some rest.

The castle lay silent under the blanket of night, its stone walls exuding a chill that seemed to seep into every corner. Yuri stood uncertainly in the cold hallway, wearing only his thin blue pajamas, his feet bare against the icy stone floor. He shivered, more from the turmoil inside him than from the cold, unsure of where to go.

The sound of boots echoed down the dark corridor, accompanied by the metallic clank of a sword being gripped in its holster. A stern voice demanded, “Who’s there?” Yuri's heart leapt in his chest until the figure stepped into the light of a gas sconce on the wall, revealing Gwendal's familiar face. Relief washed over Yuri.

Gwendal’s stern demeanor softened as he saw Yuri, though concern creased his brow. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice gentle but firm.

Yuri hesitated. Taking a deep breath, he explained, “Wolfram came to my bed drunk and wouldn’t leave when I told him to. I... don’t want to stay in that room.”

Gwendal's eyes darkened with a flash of anger, but he said nothing. Instead, he stepped forward, placing a firm arm around Yuri’s shoulders. “Come on,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

He led Yuri down the hallway, his pace brisk. Yuri stumbled, unable to keep up. Gwendal’s grip tightened, catching him before he could fall. Yuri clung to Gwendal’s hand and laughed nervously. “Sorry—I’m just tired.”

Gwendal glanced at him, his expression softening slightly. He slowed down his pace, but he did not withdraw his hand from the younger man’s grasp. Yuri looked up at him and asked curiously, “Why are you up walking the halls in the middle of the night?”

Gwendal’s reply was simple, yet it held a weight that Yuri hadn’t expected. “I do it every night… To make sure you’re safe.”

Yuri was surprised by this admission, but he said nothing as Gwendal pushed open the door to a guest bedroom—the same one Gwendal had been placed in when he was injured. Gwendal guided Yuri to the bed, turning down the covers. Yuri climbed in, grateful for the warmth.

Gwendal turned the dial on the gas lamp mounted on the wall, and a flame sprang up, a soft light filling the room. "Would you like me to make a fire?" Gwendal asked.

Yuri started to protest. “You don’t need to—”

Gwendal cut him off. “Do you want me to?”

Yuri hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. Thanks.”

Gwendal nodded back and strode over to the fireplace, quickly starting a fire with the neatly stacked wood. The flames crackled to life, casting a warm glow throughout the room. Gwendal returned to the bedside and pulled up a chair, sitting close to Yuri.

“Are you okay sleeping in this room?” Gwendal asked, his voice gentle.

Yuri smiled, feeling a sense of safety and warmth he hadn’t expected. “Yes,” he said softly. Almost shyly, he reached out for Gwendal’s hand.

Gwendal took Yuri’s hand gently, giving it a soft squeeze. He hesitated, then closed his eyes, and brought Yuri’s curled fingers to his lips, holding them there for a moment. Yuri’s heart pounded at the gesture. Gwendal stood, dialed down the lamp on the wall so that only the light from the small fire in the fireplace remained, and softly told Yuri, “Get some sleep.”

Yuri nodded, laying back on the pillow and pulling the covers up around him. Gwendal reassured him, “I’ll post guards at the door. If you need anything, you can have them send for me.”

Yuri felt his tense muscles relax. “Thank you, Gwendal,” he murmured.

Gwendal watched over him for a moment longer before quietly leaving the room.

Yuri felt refreshed the next morning, joining the others in the dining room for breakfast. The large table was laid with an assortment of foods: flaky croissants, buttered toast, a variety of jams, fresh fruit, and creamy scrambled eggs. Delicate tea cups clinked as they were lifted and set down, filled with amber tea that steamed invitingly.

Wolfram, who had dragged himself down reluctantly, sat hunched over, looking pale and miserable, his head resting on his hand as he nursed a severe hangover. The smell of food seemed to make him queasy, and he grimaced every time the scent wafted his way. Conrad, ever the supportive older brother, encouraged him gently. “Try some toast, Wolfram. It might help.”

Gwendal sat at the head of the table musing over his cup of coffee, the dark, bitter liquid a stark contrast to the delicate tea Conrad, Günter, and Yuri sipped. He observed the scene with a critical eye, noting Yuri’s subtle behavior. Yuri sat on the opposite side of the table from Wolfram, deliberately keeping his distance. He seemed overly engaged in the conversation with Conrad and Günter, his laughter a bit too enthusiastic, his interest a bit too forced.

Gwendal caught the fleeting glances Yuri sent his way. While he found the attention curious, he chose to ignore it, maintaining his stoic expression. When the awkward tension between Yuri and Wolfram continued, he made up his mind to intervene.

“I’m taking Wolfram out for border patrol today,” Gwendal announced, his tone brooking no argument.

Wolfram groaned, his face contorting in displeasure. “I don’t want to go. The weather is cold and rainy.”

Gwendal’s expression hardened. “You’re coming, Wolfram. No excuses.”

Wolfram grumbled under his breath but didn’t argue further, knowing it was pointless. The decision was made, and Gwendal’s word was final.

For the next week, the castle felt stiflingly dull to Yuri. The dreary and rainy weather cast a gloomy pall over the grounds. Usually, he would spend such days playing baseball with Conrad, but the rain made that impossible. Instead, he was confined to the castle, where Günter seized the opportunity to immerse him in tedious lessons. Yuri found himself struggling through the written language, politics, trade agreements, and the names of long-dead nobles whose relevance escaped him entirely.

Yuri’s restlessness grew each day. He found himself pacing the halls, wandering aimlessly through the castle, and even spending more time than usual in the study, though he wasn’t particularly focused on reading.

One morning, as Günter droned on, Yuri stared listlessly out the window overlooking the courtyard. His heart suddenly leaped with excitement. Through the sheets of rain, he saw Gwendal's troops returning. Wolfram looked like a miserable drowned rat, his golden hair plastered to his head and his usually pristine blue uniform sodden and muddied. In contrast, Gwendal appeared unbothered by the weather, his usual stern expression firmly in place as he dismounted his horse.

Yuri’s anticipation grew as he watched Gwendal oversee the disbanding of the troops and the unloading of supplies. He knew it would take some time for Gwendal to settle back in, but the thought of seeing him again brought a spark of interest to the otherwise dreary day.

After giving Gwendal time to clean up and get some rest, Yuri stood uncertainly outside the study door, summoning the courage to knock. He was supposed to be in a lesson with Günter, learning about the geology and plant life of the Great Demon Kingdom. But he had made an excuse to slip away, feeling a restless need to see Gwendal.

Taking a steadying breath, Yuri knocked softly before entering. Gwendal’s study was a place of order and discipline, much like the man himself. Books lined the shelves, each meticulously organized, and a large wooden desk dominated the room, covered with neatly stacked documents. The scent of parchment and ink hung in the air. Gwendal sat behind his desk, surrounded by stacks of papers and finished documents laid out to dry. He looked up, his serious demeanor softening just a fraction when he saw Yuri.

“Shouldn’t you be in a lesson with Günter?” Gwendal asked, his voice stern but not unkind.

Yuri smiled and shrugged, wandering closer as he pretended to inspect the books on the shelves lining the walls. “I needed a break,” he said lightly, though his eyes kept drifting to Gwendal.

Gwendal sighed, knowing it was pointless to send Yuri back. “As long as you’re here, you can help me sign some of these documents,” he said, gesturing to the papers on his desk.

Yuri’s eyes lit up, and he approached the desk eagerly. “Sure,” he replied.

Gwendal handed him a carefully hand-written parchment, their fingers brushing briefly. Yuri’s heart skipped a beat at the contact. He took the document and a quill, then he leaned over the arm of Gwendal’s chair so that his weight casually rested against Gwendal’s side. Feeling Gwendal’s sharp intake of breath at the contact, Yuri smiled to himself.

He scratched his signature across the bottom of the document, sounding out the words, “Shibuya Yuri Harajuku Furi.” He brought the quill up with a flourish after signing. A thick splat of black ink landed on the wooden desktop.

Gwendal caught his wrist firmly, taking the quill and placing it back in the ink pot. Yuri frowned and moved to rub at the ink spot, but Gwendal tightened his grip. “No, that will make it worse.” He added meaningfully, “This desk is 600 years old.”

Yuri stood up, pouting slightly, looking down at the drying ink spot. “Can’t you use magic to take it out?”

“That’s not how magic works,” Gwendal said, releasing Yuri’s wrist and bringing his own hand up to cup his forehead, rubbing at his temples.

Yuri grinned mischievously, cocking his head slightly. “Well, at least every time you see it, you’ll think of me.”

Gwendal shot him a withering look. Before he could respond, Günter’s anxious voice echoed down the hallway. “Your Majesty!”

Yuri’s eyes widened, and he flashed Gwendal an alarmed look. “Don’t tell him I’m here!”

“What—?” Gwendal began, but Yuri scrambled under the desk, wedging himself in past Gwendal’s long legs. Gwendal reached down, grabbing at a handful of Yuri’s clothes, tugging. The large wooden door to the study swung open, and Gwendal let go, sitting up straight just as Günter peered into the room.

Gwendal buried his face in the palm of his hand and growled irritably, “Please stop with that incessant noise, Günter. Do you think His Majesty is in here doing his own work?” He felt Yuri playing with the laces on his boots and delivered a firm kick, causing the young man to let out a muffled yelp.

Günter seemed not to hear it. He continued to fret and peer around, asking, “Do you have any idea where His Majesty could be?”

Gwendal resisted the urge to take up imaginary knitting needles and mime the movements of a stockinette stitch, as he was wont to do when stressed. Instead, he gestured toward the window. “Now that the rain has finally stopped, he’s probably off somewhere with Conrart, throwing that ball of his.”

Gwendal made a show of straightening a stack of papers, then he glared up at Günter, who lingered in the doorway. “I have a week’s worth of work to catch up on, and I would appreciate not being disturbed again.”

Günter sighed dramatically and whirled around, pulling the door softly closed behind him.

Gwendal shifted his chair back and shot a hand under the desk, dragging Yuri out. He hissed, “Do you have any idea what it would have looked like if Günter had found you under my desk?”

Yuri clasped his chin in his hand, striking a mock thoughtful pose. “Hmm, I think Günter would have screamed.” He flashed Gwendal an endearing smile.

Realizing his angry looks no longer had the same effect on Yuri as they once did, Gwendal glowered at the floor, deliberating. With lightning speed, he shot out an arm, lifted Yuri over the arm of the chair, and onto his lap. Yuri yelped in surprise, and when Gwendal began to fiercely tickle his sides, he pleaded through laughter, trying to fend off Gwendal’s strong hands.

Gwendal warned him, “If you make noise, Günter will come back.”

Yuri tried to stifle his giggling, firmly gripping Gwendal’s hands. Gwendal let up on his attack, and they both caught their breath for a moment. Then, eyes slightly unfocused, Yuri gazed softly up at Gwendal, reaching up to caress his face.

Gwendal caught his hand. “Yuri, what do you want from me?”

Yuri smiled gently and shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“Tch,” Gwendal replied. “You’re a child.” He moved to set Yuri down on the ground, but Yuri protested, throwing his arms tightly around Gwendal’s neck. Gwendal looked into Yuri’s big, pleading eyes and said matter-of-factly, “I like you better like this without the silly wig and contacts.”

Yuri beamed.

Gwendal’s thumb absentmindedly caressed Yuri’s knee, then he said firmly, “Günter will be taking the blocks out of the walls looking for you if you don’t go back to your lesson.”

Yuri nodded and allowed Gwendal to set him down on the ground. He leaned in and planted a kiss on the side of Gwendal’s forehead.

Gwendal looked at Yuri affectionately, clasping his hand. “Work hard on your lesson,” he said, his voice gentle yet firm.

Yuri, smiling, walked over to the door. He glanced back over his shoulder, catching Gwendal’s eye one last time before heading out into the hallway. As he disappeared from sight, Gwendal watched the door close, his usual stern expression soft. With a sigh, he returned to his work, a faint smile lingering on his lips.

The atmosphere was lively with laughter and the clinking of silverware echoing off the castle's stone walls at dinner. The long, candle-lit table was adorned with an array of savory dishes: roasted vegetables, colorful salads, and rustic loaves of crusty bread that filled the room with their mouth watering aroma. Gwendal noticed every time he looked up, Yuri’s eyes were on him. Their gazes met briefly, causing Yuri to quickly look away, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

After dinner, everyone stood in groups, enjoying drinks and engaging in lighthearted conversation. Gwendal felt Yuri’s presence wherever he turned. Yuri’s gaze lingered on him, his attention seemingly divided between the conversations around him and his desire to connect with Gwendal. Gwendal observed that Yuri still avoided Wolfram, whom Gwendal overheard complaining loudly to Conrad and their mother about the rough conditions on patrol, grumbling about the cold, the rain, and the endless hours spent riding through muddy terrain.

Seeking a moment of solitude, Gwendal stepped out onto the chilly, moonlit patio. The warm light and pleasant hum of conversation drifted through the glass double doors, providing a gentle contrast to the crisp night air. The patio, bordered by a stone railing, offered a serene view of the castle gardens, which sprawled under a vividly-twinkling starry sky.

A figure approached the door and opened it onto the patio. As Gwendal had suspected, it was Yuri. Gwendal stepped into the shadows off to the side and beckoned to him. Yuri joined him eagerly, and Gwendal placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning down to speak in his ear. “Be a little less obvious.” Yuri looked up at him quizzically.

Gwendal explained, “Everything you think shows on your face.”

“Everything?” Yuri asked playfully.

Gwendal shook his head, taking a step back to lean against the wall. Yuri lounged against the stone railing, his silhouette outlined by the moonlight. The gemstone pendant Yuri wore around his neck glowed with a blue, faintly-swirling inner light. The night was serene, the cool air refreshing. The sound of an owl occasionally echoed from the garden.

Gwendal broke the silence. “I spoke to Günter and Gisela about you learning healing magic.”

Yuri’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. “Really? That’s amazing!” He shivered slightly in the cold, his thin jacket offering little warmth.

Gwendal noticed and suggested, “Let’s go back inside before you catch a chill.”

Yuri nodded, and they both headed back toward the warm light of the castle interior. Gwendal held open the glass door for Yuri, ushering him in from the cool night air.

Back in his room, Yuri found himself restless, not tired enough to sleep. He picked up a book from his bedside table, but the ornate, looping script of the Demon Kingdom's written language made reading feel like an assignment. He sighed, thinking he would have to remember to bring some books from Tokyo next time he was there. His room felt chilly, and he contemplated making a fire in the fireplace. However, he had never managed to get one lit on his own, and he still wasn’t used to being waited on, so he was reluctant to ask the castle staff for assistance. Instead, Yuri decided to go down to the bath. After a moment’s hesitation, he left his room.

The bath was a large communal area, all tile and marble, with elegant columns lining the room. The warm, steamy air greeted him invitingly as he entered. Water gently lapped against the edges of the pool.

To Yuri’s surprise, someone was already in the bath. Gwendal sat naked in his usual corner of the large pool, appearing relaxed, his muscular arms resting out of the water on the sides of the bath. Yuri stopped awkwardly, and Gwendal looked up nonchalantly.

“Can I join you?” Yuri asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“Of course,” Gwendal replied.

Yuri nodded and made his way to the changing room. He showered quickly and returned to the bath with a white towel wrapped around his waist. He shyly set the towel on a bench and quickly waded down the steps into the warm bath. The water temperature was perfect, and he sighed happily as the heat enveloped him.

Yuri leaned back in the water up to his neck, letting the comforting bath relax him. After a moment, he moved to sit against the wall of the tub next to Gwendal. They made eye contact, and Gwendal gave him a small smile. Yuri grinned happily in return, feeling a sense of contentment in the shared silence.

Conrad and Josak entered the bath area, engaged in a lively conversation. They paused, noticing Yuri and Gwendal sitting in the bath together. Josak subtly elbowed Conrad in the ribs, grinning. Conrad shot him a warning look. Yuri waved to them, and they waved back before heading into the changing room.

When the two emerged, Conrad wore a white towel around his waist, while Josak casually strutted with his towel slung over his shoulders. They placed their towels on the bench and slipped into the bath. Yuri floated over to join them, leaving Gwendal to enjoy his solitude.

Josak glanced between Yuri and Gwendal, a teasing smile on his face. “You and Gwendal seem close lately,” he remarked. Yuri blushed and looked away, causing Josak to grin even wider. “Ehhh?” he teased, nudging Conrad. “I told you so.”

Conrad shushed him gently. Yuri glanced at Gwendal, who raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t say anything,” Yuri protested.

Gwendal smirked. “You didn’t have to. I told you before, your face shows everything.”

Josak leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face. “Maybe I should teach you about spying, Your Majesty. You could use a good poker face.”

Yuri's eyes lit up with excitement. “Really? You’d teach me about spying?”

“Sure,” Josak replied casually. “I can teach you about disguises, costumes, going undercover—all the tricks of the trade.”

Yuri turned to Conrad, eager for more. “What about you? Would you teach me something?”

Conrad smiled warmly. “I can teach you swordsmanship and defense. Given our encounters with enemies, it’s important for you to be able to defend yourself.”

Yuri’s gaze shifted to Gwendal, who had been relaxing with his eyes closed. “And you, Gwendal? Will you teach me magic?”

Gwendal opened his eyes and thought for a moment before nodding. “Yes, but I expect you to pay attention and show progress.”

Yuri beamed with happiness. “I promise I will.”

Gwendal looked at him, slightly surprised. “You’re really interested in working, given your track record with Günter’s lessons?”

Yuri nodded earnestly. “I like to learn. There’s a lot I want to know, it’s just the way Günter teaches doesn’t really work for me.”

Josak chuckled. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Conrart had the same trouble with him when he was a student at the Academy.”

Conrad smiled and chimed in, “To be fair, most demons learn over 30 years what Günter has been trying to make you learn in six months.”

Yuri looked surprised. “That’s not fair!”

Josak shrugged. “Wearing the crown can be a heavy burden.”

As they soaked in the comfortable bath and chatted, Yuri noticed that Josak and Conrad had a familiarity he had always taken to be friendly, but now he saw it in a different light. They sat side by side leaning against the tiled edge of the pool, shoulders touching. To emphasize a point he was making, Josak would occasionally place his hand on Conrad’s arm. Finally, he leaned in close to Conrad, their faces almost touching, whispering something that made Conrad chuckle softly.

Yuri asked, “Are you two together?”

Josak responded airily, “We're together when we're together; when we're not, we're not.”

Yuri looked at Conrad, confused. Gwendal interjected, “Yuri, don't ask personal questions.”

Conrad smiled. “It's okay.”

Josak waded to the steps and left the bath to fetch something from the tiled bar in the corner of the bathhouse. Conrad said, “We're together when Josak is here, but when we're apart, Josak sees other men.”

Yuri’s brow furrowed. He asked, “Do you see other people, Conrad?”

Conrad shook his head gently. Yuri glanced anxiously at Gwendal, who answered without opening his eyes, “Not everyone has open relationships in the Demon Kingdom. It's just what works for different people.”

Yuri turned back to Conrad, “Does it bother you?”

Conrad replied, “No. Josak and I have been seeing each other since we were your age, and I regard him more as a friend.”

Josak returned with glasses of beer, handing them to Gwendal and Conrad. He placed one on the side of the bath for Yuri. Josak shrugged, “I know Conrart will never love again, and I'm fine with what we've got.” Yuri was startled to hear such a blunt statement, but Conrad seemed unbothered.

Josak encouraged Yuri, “Drink up, Your Majesty!”

Yuri looked at Gwendal, who said, “You're of age; you can drink if you want.”

Conrad reassured him, “One beer won’t do much, but you don't have to if you don’t want to.”

Yuri took the beer and Josak toasted him. Yuri sipped, watching Conrad and Josak talking. He found the taste strangely bitter and slightly tingly on his tongue. He watched them thoughtfully as they spoke, feeling they made a good couple together. Josak went to get another beer for himself, asking the others if they wanted one. Everyone else declined.

Conrad noticed Yuri’s serious expression and said, “It's not just in this world. People on Earth also have open relationships.”

Yuri thought of his parents but couldn't picture his mother ever standing for that. He remembered what Gwendal had said, that not everyone does it. He shook his head, his fears leaving him.

As Josak returned with his beer, he draped an arm over Conrad's shoulders, pulling him close. Conrad didn't resist, leaning into Josak's touch with a comfortable familiarity. Yuri watched them, realizing that their relationship, while different from what he was used to, seemed to work for them. He felt a sense of acceptance and understanding wash over him.

Gwendal finished his drink and stood, announcing that he was heading to bed. Yuri stayed behind, listening to Conrad and Josak tell stories, sipping his drink until it was gone. The alcohol left him feeling buzzed and a little giddy.

As he left Conrad and Josak in the bath, Yuri decided against going straight to bed. In the changing room, Yuri put on his clothes, dried his hair, and made his way to Gwendal’s room on the opposite side of the castle. Knocking on the door, he waited nervously. Gwendal answered, looking surprised. After glancing both ways down the hallway, he pulled Yuri inside.

Yuri stumbled into Gwendal’s arms, laughing and pressing his head to Gwendal’s chest. Gwendal sighed, “What am I going to do with you?”

Yuri looked up hopefully. “Let me stay tonight?”

Gwendal shook his head firmly. “No.”

Yuri protested, but Gwendal cut him off. “Don’t whine. You’re not staying in the state you’re in.” He eyed Yuri critically. “Did Josak give you more than one beer?”

Yuri shook his head, feeling disappointed. He didn’t think he was that drunk, but he didn’t want to make Gwendal uncomfortable the way Wolfram had made him feel. Embarrassed, he moved to leave.

Gwendal tipped Yuri’s chin up, looking into his eyes. With a slight smile, he said, “You can stay for a few minutes.”

He led Yuri to the couch in his sitting area and sat down. Yuri hesitated before crawling onto Gwendal’s lap, resting his head comfortably on Gwendal’s shoulder. Gwendal sighed again, rubbing Yuri’s back. “What am I going to do with you?”

Yuri held back the innuendo that came to mind, not wanting to risk being thrown out. Instead, he relaxed, feeling comfortable and safe in Gwendal’s arms. As Gwendal rubbed his back, Yuri’s breathing became heavy.

“Hey, you’re falling asleep,” Gwendal said softly. “I’ll take you back to your room.”

Gwendal escorted Yuri through the castle, their footsteps echoing in the quiet corridors. At Yuri’s bedroom door, Gwendal paused, looking at him with a mixture of fondness and exasperation.

“Goodnight, Yuri,” Gwendal said, his voice gentle.

Yuri smiled sleepily. “Goodnight, Gwendal.”

Gwendal watched until Yuri was safely inside before turning to head back to his own room. Yuri kicked his shoes off, then crawled into bed without undressing and quickly drifted into a peaceful sleep.

The following morning dawned with a flurry of activity as Gwendal and Günter finalized Yuri's new schedule. Over breakfast, Gwendal explained the arrangement, outlining the days he would spend with Conrad, Josak, Günter, Gisela, and himself. Yuri listened eagerly, his excitement growing as Gwendal continued.

“Today, you'll have magic lessons all day,” Gwendal said, glancing at his notes. “You’ll start with Gisela in the morning and then continue with me after lunch.”

Yuri's eyes lit up. “Really? That's fantastic!”

After breakfast, Yuri met with Gisela in a sunlit room dedicated to magical training. The walls were lined with shelves holding various magical tomes, herbs, and crystals. Gisela began by explaining the basic principles of healing magic, emphasizing the importance of focus and intent.

“Summoning your magic in a controlled way requires patience and practice,” Gisela said, demonstrating by healing a small cut on her finger with a soft glow of green light. “You must connect with the energy within you and direct it with purpose.”

Yuri spent a few hours practicing under Gisela’s watchful eye. She guided him through exercises to summon and control his magic, helping him channel it into a healing touch. Yuri was excited to try healing minor burns for the cooks and a scrape for the gardener. The sense of accomplishment he felt was palpable, and Gisela’s encouragement boosted his confidence.

During lunch, Gisela reported Yuri’s progress to Günter and Gwendal, praising his hard work. “His Majesty is a quick learner,” she said, smiling. “He has a natural affinity for healing magic. With more practice, he’ll be quite skilled.”

Yuri beamed with pride, his cheeks flushing slightly at the praise. Günter nodded approvingly. “That’s excellent to hear. Keep up the good work, Your Majesty!”

After lunch, Yuri met with Gwendal in one of the castle’s grand halls, converted into a training room for the day. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the stone floor and walls adorned with tapestries depicting legendary battles and heroic feats.

Gwendal had prepared a variety of exercises to help Yuri control his magic, focusing on the elements. As they settled into the session, Gwendal began with a brief explanation. “While in your Maoh form you have access to all the elements, in your regular form, you can only use water magic. My own pact is with the earth element, and though I can guide you in theory, your practice will focus solely on water.”

Yuri nodded, understanding the importance of the distinction. He was enthusiastic to learn, but sitting across from Gwendal, he struggled to focus on the lesson. His eyes kept wandering to Gwendal’s strong hands as they manipulated the earth elements, creating intricate patterns of stone and soil.

“Yuri, pay attention,” Gwendal said sternly, his deep voice commanding respect. “This is important.”

“I’m trying,” Yuri replied, leaning back in his chair. “But you’re making it look so easy.”

Gwendal sighed, his patience thinning. “It’s not about ease. It’s about control and understanding the elements. You need to connect with your magic, not just use it on instinct.”

Yuri nodded, trying to focus. He closed his eyes, attempting to summon his water magic. A small stream of water appeared, swirling around his fingers. He opened his eyes and looked at Gwendal, seeking approval.

“Good,” Gwendal said, nodding. “Now, try to control it. Shape it into something.”

Yuri concentrated, the water forming into a small, delicate sphere. But his focus wavered as he caught sight of Gwendal’s intense gaze. The sphere wobbled and splashed, soaking the desk.

“Yuri!” Gwendal exclaimed, exasperated. “This is not a game. Focus!”

“Sorry!” Yuri laughed nervously. “I guess I got distracted.”

Gwendal’s expression hardened. “You need to take this seriously. Your powers are immense, and without proper control, they can be dangerous.”

“I know, I know,” Yuri said, rubbing at his forehead, where he felt an unfamiliar throb. “It’s just hard to concentrate.”

Gwendal’s frustration was evident. “Let’s try a different approach. Sit down and close your eyes. Imagine the water as an extension of yourself. Feel its flow, its movement. It’s not just about summoning the water, but understanding it.”

Yuri did as instructed, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He imagined the water as a part of him, feeling its coolness, its fluidity. Slowly, he extended his hand, and a small stream of water emerged, more stable this time.

“Good,” Gwendal said softly. “Now, maintain that connection. Shape it into something simple.”

With a deep breath, Yuri focused on the water, shaping it into a small, clear sphere. He opened his eyes.

“Well done,” Gwendal praised. “Now, let’s see if you can maintain that focus while moving.”

As the lesson continued, Yuri found himself more attuned to his magic, able to summon and control the water with increasing precision. Yet, every time he faltered, Gwendal’s stern corrections reminded him of how far he still had to go.

“Yuri, you’re not concentrating. Again!” Gwendal’s voice was sharp, leaving no room for leniency.

Fighting to maintain his focus, Yuri pushed through to the end of the session. By the end of the lesson, he felt more confident in his abilities, even if there was still much to learn.

“Remember, Yuri,” Gwendal said as they wrapped up, “control and understanding are key. With time and practice, you’ll master your powers. I expect you to try harder next time.”

“I will,” Yuri promised, feeling disappointed in himself and hurt by Gwendal’s obvious displeasure.

Gwendal nodded curtly, his expression still stern. “See that you do.”

Yuri walked out of the training session feeling exhausted and upset. The intense focus and pressure from Gwendal’s lesson had drained him more than he expected. Maybe it was the sense of disconnection from Gwendal, but he didn’t feel right.

He trudged to his room, planning just to lay on the bed and close his eyes for a moment. As he collapsed onto his bed, he felt a throbbing pain behind his eyes, and a wave of dizziness washed over him. He closed his watering eyes, hoping rest would help.

Yuri was startled awake by a knock on the door. Groggily, he sat up, realizing the sun was now lower in the sky, casting long shadows across his room. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the lingering heaviness in his limbs.

“Yuri, are you in there?” Conrad’s voice came through the door, concerned. “You’re late for dinner.”

Yuri dragged himself to the door and opened it, blinking at Conrad. “Sorry, I must have fallen asleep. I’ll be down in a minute.”

Conrad studied him with a worried expression. “You look pale. Are you feeling alright?”

Yuri nodded, though he wasn’t sure. “Yeah, just tired. I’ll be fine.”

“Alright,” Conrad said, still looking unconvinced. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

After Conrad left, Yuri changed for dinner, each movement feeling like a monumental effort. His body felt heavy, and he wondered if he was coming down with something. He splashed some water on his face, hoping it would help, but the coolness did little to revive him.

Making his way to the dining room, Yuri noticed his vision blurring, and sounds seemed distorted and distant. The laughter and chatter of his friends felt like it was coming from underwater.

He entered the dining room, trying to focus, but everything seemed off-kilter. Someone familiar joked, “Finally decided to join us, Yuri?” but he couldn’t tell who it was.

Suddenly, his vision started to go black around the edges, and his legs buckled beneath him. He heard someone call his name, but it sounded far away, like from the end of a tunnel. Then everything disappeared into darkness.

Yuri woke to the soft light of morning filtering through his bedroom windows. Disoriented, he noticed Gwendal slumped in a chair by his bed with eyes closed, looking exhausted and unshaven. A sandwich sat untouched on a small table where Gwendal's arm lay. Nearby, Conrad and Günter stood by the window, conversing in low voices.

Yuri sat up slowly, drawing their attention. Günter turned abruptly, exclaiming, “Your Majesty!” Gwendal immediately straightened, relief flooding his features as he grasped Yuri's hand.

“Yuri,” Gwendal said, his voice thick with concern. "How are you feeling?"

Yuri struggled to think clearly. “What happened?”

Conrad stepped forward, his expression a mix of relief and seriousness. “You overextended yourself with two magic sessions in one day. I’m sorry. That was our mistake. You've been asleep for three days.”

“Three days?” Yuri repeated, astonished. He glanced at Gwendal, who looked deeply remorseful.

Conrad nodded. “I'll fetch Gisela,” he said, exiting the room.

Günter suddenly broke into tears, lamenting, “I should have known better!”

Gwendal's voice cut through sharply. “It was my fault.” He turned to Yuri, eyes filled with regret. “Yuri, I’m sorry for pushing you too hard.”

Before Yuri could respond, Conrad returned with Gisela. She approached quickly, her professional demeanor evident. “How are you feeling, Your Majesty?”

“A bit dizzy, but otherwise fine,” Yuri replied.

Gisela examined him, nodding thoughtfully. “You're likely dehydrated and in need of more rest. But you should be alright.”

Visitors soon began to trickle in to see Yuri. Lady Celi and Wolfram brought a bouquet of flowers from the garden. Wolfram, looking genuinely concerned, said, “I was worried about you, Yuri.”

Yuri felt touched. “Thank you, Wolfram.”

Anissina attempted to bring one of her inventions into the room—a metallic box on wheels with lights on top—but Yuri could hear Gwendal and Anissina engaged in a fierce argument in the hallway. Eventually, Conrad ushered everyone out, insisting Yuri needed to rest.

Left alone with Yuri, Gwendal took a deep breath. “Yuri, I am truly sorry. We’ll need to be more careful with your magic training. I'll make sure to ease up and take it slower.”

Yuri managed a weak smile. He was relieved Gwendal hadn’t canceled the magic lessons. “You look like you need to sleep for three days, too.”

Gwendal chuckled softly, his weariness apparent. “I probably do.” He leaned over and pressed a lingering kiss to Yuri's cheek. Yuri was surprised by the abrasive feel of Gwendal’s beard stubble against his skin but found it oddly comforting.

“I'll leave you to rest,” Gwendal said, standing up.

After Gwendal left, the maids Doria and Sangria came in, bringing Yuri juice, tea, and toast, tidying up the room. They expressed their relief and joy that he was okay.

After eating, Yuri lay back, a smile playing on his lips as he recalled Gwendal’s scratchy kiss. Contentment washed over him as he drifted off to sleep.

That afternoon, Gwendal returned to visit, looking much better rested and more presentable than he had that morning. The two went out to take a walk in the garden. The path they followed was lined with vibrant roses and meticulously trimmed hedges. Birds chirped from the treetops, and a light breeze carried the sweet scent of jasmine.

As they walked in easy silence, they came upon a secluded corner where a large, white marble fountain stood. The fountain's gentle trickle sounded almost musical. Yuri sat on the edge and dipped his fingers into the cool water. The afternoon sun had warmed the air pleasantly, but the water remained cold. Purple-flowered lily pads floated lazily on the surface, and ivy clung to the surrounding stone wall.

Gwendal stood nearby, his hands clasped behind his back. “Everyone in the castle knows about us now,” he said, breaking the silence.

Yuri looked up at him, contemplating the news. “Does Wolfram know?” he asked, a note of concern in his voice.

“Yes,” Gwendal replied.

Yuri joked dryly, “So, is he going to challenge me or you to a duel?”

Gwendal shook his head. “Neither. He took it surprisingly well.”

Yuri raised an eyebrow. “Really? That's hard to believe.”

Gwendal shrugged. “He should. Wolfram has had a long-term boyfriend all this time.”

Yuri's eyes widened in surprise. “What?!”

“One of his soldiers—Lucas,” Gwendal explained.

Yuri put his hand over his mouth in amused disbelief, picturing the soldiers in Wolfram’s company who had accompanied them on various journeys. “Oh—I've met him! The one with long brown hair? He's gorgeous.” He looked up at Gwendal questioningly.

Gwendal nodded. “That's him. One of Lord von Rochefort’s sons.”

Yuri shook his head in amazement. “All this time when Wolfram has been acting jealous and accusing me of cheating by just talking to other people…?”

“They've been together for a couple decades now,” Gwendal shrugged.

Yuri thought for a moment. “So I suppose I can cancel my engagement to him?”

Gwendal nodded. “You just have to talk to him formally. I don't think he'll give you any opposition.”

Yuri frowned slightly. “Why did he even want to be engaged to me?”

Gwendal sighed. “Our mother pushed for it. She thought it would be advantageous.”

Yuri looked thoughtful. “What will Lady Celi think about all this?”

Gwendal chuckled. “She'll be happy that one of her sons ended up with the King.”

Smiling at the thought, the tension lifted from Yuri’s shoulders. He felt a sense of relief that they didn't have to be secretive anymore, and it seemed Wolfram would be happier too.

Yuri rested for a few days, allowing his strength to return. His first lesson with Josak felt more like fun than education, much to his delight. Conrad stayed to watch, looking mildly amused.

Josak began by explaining that getting and staying in character was just as important as any disguise details. “It's not just about looking the part, Your Majesty. You have to become the character,” he said with a wink.

Yuri marveled looking through the large wooden wardrobe filled with various styles of clothes, and the boxes and drawers overflowing with accessories. “This is incredible,” he said, running his fingers over a sequined shawl.

Josak rummaged through the wardrobe, pulling out garments and tossing them aside. “Unfortunately, none of my shoes are going to fit you, so we’ll just go without them for now.” Finally, he settled on a costume: a flowy dress with a well-padded bodice and a cascading blonde wig.

Yuri stood still as Josak carefully applied makeup, explaining the finer points of facial expressions. “It's all in the eyes and the way you hold your mouth,” Josak said, applying a touch of mascara. “Soft, subtle movements. You want to draw people in, not push them away.”

After a few hours of practicing different expressions and scenarios, the door opened, and Gwendal walked in. He strode toward the trio with his usual stern demeanor. Yuri turned around to face him, his heart racing.

Gwendal raised an eyebrow slightly and addressed Conrad stoically. “Your guest will have to stay in the East wing since they’re polishing the floors in the West-side guest rooms.” Conrad smiled quietly.

Yuri’s mouth opened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure, softening his eyes and pouting his lips as Josak had instructed. He stepped forward, reaching a graceful hand up toward Gwendal’s chest.

Gwendal caught his hand and fixed him with an inscrutable gaze. “Excuse me, miss. I’m looking for His Majesty.” He spun on his heel and marched toward the door.

Yuri huffed, then hiked up the hem of his long dress in both hands and hurried around Gwendal, blocking his path, fixing him with a smoldering look. Gwendal stopped and looked over his shoulder at Conrad. “He looks so much like Mother.”

Yuri dropped the act and asked, “You knew it was me?"

Gwendal gave a small smile. “In Josak’s room, during your disguise lesson? Yes. But I doubt many people would see through it on a cruise.” He looked back to Conrad and Josak and said, “You should show Mother.” He added, “And please never dress him in this costume again.” Gwendal left the room, and Yuri grinned as Josak loudly praised him.

Yuri looked at himself in the mirror, thinking his own mother would like to see the costume—she had always wanted a daughter. He took in his full, glossy red lips and smoky eyes under a mess of blonde curls and thought, maybe this wasn’t the type of daughter she was hoping for.

A few nights later, much to Yuri’s surprise, Wolfram brought Lucas to dinner. They arrived together to the dining room wearing their matching blue uniforms, but it was Lucas who truly caught everyone's attention. His long, straight brown hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, accentuating his striking androgynous beauty. He was even more beautiful than Wolfram, and as the pair entered the room, all eyes turned to them.

Lady Celi immediately rushed over to hug Lucas, exclaiming how good it was to see him again. The family members all seemed to know him and greeted him warmly. Despite their familiarity, Lucas appeared slightly out of his element, finding himself invited to dinner in the castle when he would normally bunk in the soldiers' quarters.

Wolfram led Lucas over to Yuri and introduced him stiffly. “Yuri, this is Lucas.”

Lucas, with his charming drawling accent from the southern part of Shin Makoku, smiled and gushed, “It's such an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I guarded your tent once when we traveled to…” Wolfram irritably nudged him into silence.

Yuri was captivated by Lucas' stunning looks and easy charm. “It's nice to meet you,” Yuri replied warmly.

Wolfram, rolling his eyes, interjected, “Why don’t you get us some drinks or something, Lucas?”

Lucas grinned adorably, his eyes squinting as he covered his mouth in a slightly shy yet amusing gesture. “Of course—don’t go anywhere, Your Majesty!” He hurried off to fetch the drinks.

Watching him walk away, Yuri looked at Wolfram, puzzled. “I thought he would hate me.”

“Not at all,” Wolfram explained. “His family are royalists. He’s been pestering me for a long time to let him meet you.”

Yuri marveled at this surprising turn. Then he said, “Wolfram, thank you for being understanding and dissolving our engagement so amicably.”

Wolfram shook his head. “I should be thanking you, Yuri, and asking for your forgiveness. I realize now that my behavior was selfish and it was wrong of me to hide my relationship with Lucas… And to treat you the way I did.” He looked genuinely remorseful.

Wolfram continued, “I want you to know that we’ll both loyally protect you as the King, but I also hope you and I can be friends.”

Yuri smiled broadly. “I’d like that too.”

Sensing the conversation might turn awkward, Yuri made an excuse to leave. “I think I’ll go see how Gwendal’s doing.”

“Er, Yuri,” Wolfram added uncomfortably. “Do you mind if Lucas stays in my room tonight?”

Yuri laughed awkwardly at Wolfram's sudden need for approval. “Not at all, Wolfram. It's fine with me. You don’t need to ask in the future.”

Yuri joined Gwendal, who was talking to Conrad and Josak. As Yuri walked up, Gwendal, without missing a beat in the conversation, put his arm around Yuri’s shoulder and welcomed him into the group.

Yuri had a break in his schedule and found himself wandering the castle grounds one morning after breakfast. The weather was turning colder. It never actually snowed at Covenant Castle, but on some winter mornings, frost glittered on the lawns and garden paving stones before the sun rose high enough to burn it off. Yuri’s breath hung in the air as he walked. Passing Lady Celi’s greenhouse, the tall glass walls, steamy windows, and invitingly warm interior drew his attention. The greenhouse was one of his favorite places to explore, always full of new varieties of flowers that Lady Celi was cultivating.

Yuri opened the door, and the earthy scent of soil and the delicate fragrance of flowers greeted him. Inside, rows of exotic plants and flowers were haphazardly arranged, creating a vibrant, lush atmosphere. It felt like a jungle, with countless exotic plants and surprising discoveries hidden around every corner.

As Yuri admired the flowers, he heard someone singing softly to themselves as they worked. Pushing past a large monstera leaf, he found Lucas, who was wearing a light blue tunic with his hair piled into a round bun on top of his head, giving him an effortlessly elegant look. A smudge of soil marked his cheek.

Lucas's eyes lit up with enthusiasm when he saw Yuri. “Your Majesty! What a pleasant surprise.”

Yuri smiled, taking in the sight of Lucas surrounded by plants. “I didn't know you spent time in the greenhouse.”

Lucas grinned, his eyes sparkling. “It's a bit of a passion of mine. Wolfram and I brought these beauties back from Van da Via island. Some of them are quite rare.”

Yuri's curiosity was piqued. He looked at the exotic flowers in pots on the bench where Lucas was working. The plants had flat leaves, long stems supporting round or oblong flowers, and a tangle of white roots crawling out of the pots. “They’re beautiful. What are they?”

“These are orchids,” Lucas explained, his voice full of pride. “This one is called a Phalaenopsis. It's known for its long-lasting blooms and stunning colors.”

Yuri listened intently as Lucas continued to explain the various species, their unique characteristics, and the specific care each one required. His passion for the plants was evident in every word he spoke.

Yuri marveled at the vibrant flowers scattered around the workbench: a huge magenta single bloom on a long stem, yellow blossoms speckled with deep red spots, a cluster of small, waxy green flowers…. One especially caught his eye: a midnight blue orchid dotted with a smattering of white flecks like a constellation.

Lucas noticed Yuri's interest. “Ah, that's my Blue Vanda orchid. It was the first one I brought back from Van da Via island. It's incredibly rare and requires meticulous care.”

Lucas demonstrated by using his magic, gently placing his hands near the base of the plant. Yuri watched in awe as the flower responded, its colors becoming even more vivid and the stem standing taller. “Earth magic helps them thrive,” Lucas explained. “I use it to fertilize the soil and ensure they get the nutrients they need.”

Yuri was impressed. “That’s amazing! I never knew magic could be used in such a way.” Lucas beamed proudly.

Yuri noticed a delicate white orchid growing on a piece of mossy wood, looking at it, puzzled. Lucas explained, “This one grows up in trees, clinging to the bark. Wolfram climbed all the way to the top of a huge tree to get it for me.”

Yuri thought that was sweet. Despite the way Wolfram seemed to order Lucas around at dinner, he must really care for him. “I never knew there was so much to learn about plants,” Yuri said, genuinely impressed.

Lucas's eyes twinkled with delight. “There's always more to discover. That's what makes it so fascinating.”

Yuri smiled. “I should have paid more attention when Günter was giving me lessons on native plants."

Lucas laughed. "Wolfram knows a lot about flowers and plants, too. We can both help you if you'd like.”

“That would be great,” Yuri replied, excited about the idea.

Yuri noticed another plant and asked what it was. Lucas explained that he had found it on Van da Via island and liked the flower. The bushy plant sported attractive yellow flowers nestled amongst its oval leaves. Lucas dug under the soil to show Yuri an interesting feature of the plant, revealing knobby growths attached to the roots.

Yuri recognized it immediately. “That's a peanut plant! I had to do a presentation on the agricultural economy of the Chiba Prefecture in middle school. Peanuts are a big crop there.” Putting on his presentation voice, Yuri recited, “In fact, did you know that 70% of Japan’s peanuts are grown in Chiba Prefecture?”

Lucas looked at him perplexed, then scrunched up his nose and laughed. “You're funny, Your Majesty.”

Feeling a bit disappointed that his impressive fact didn’t have the impact he had hoped for, Yuri elaborated. “Peanuts are an important food crop. They’re a popular snack where I’m from and are made into many different tasty products.”

Lucas looked dubiously at the knobby little growth. “I don't think it looks edible.”

Yuri assured him. “They're delicious. Actually, this gives me an idea—I’m going to talk to Günter about growing peanuts as a crop. The Great Demon Kingdom is missing out… And it would make a good trade product!”

Lucas grinned supportively at Yuri’s enthusiasm as he turned, engrossed in thought, headed back up to the castle murmuring to himself about peanuts.

After dinner that evening, Yuri sat nestled close to Gwendal on the couch in Gwendal's sitting room, his shoes kicked off and feet tucked under him. The fire crackled quietly, casting a warm glow over the room. Gwendal read aloud from a book he held in one hand, his deep voice resonating through the quiet space.

As Gwendal read, he absentmindedly played with Yuri’s hair, twirling strands between his fingers. Yuri’s eyes followed along on the page, trying to decipher the ornate writing in the book as Gwendal’s speech flowed smoothly. The rhythm of the words, combined with Gwendal’s voice and his gentle touch, put Yuri in a dreamy, almost trancelike state.

Gwendal’s voice was steady as he recited the poem:

          In days of old when shadows loomed,

          A hero brave did stand,

          Against the dark, his heart illumed,

          To save his cherished land.

          Through forests deep and mountains high,

          He journeyed with resolve,

          With every step, a battle cry,

          The darkness to dissolve.

          He fought with strength, his spirit true,

          With sword and shield in hand,

          For every dawn that darkness slew,

          He took a valiant stand.

          And when the night had finally fled,

          The hero stood alone,

          With light and hope that he had spread,

          His legend brightly shone.

Yuri was captivated by the words, the way Gwendal's voice gave life to the heroic narrative. The firelight flickered, casting dancing shadows that seemed to move in time with the poem.

Gwendal finished reading. He looked down at Yuri, who gazed at the shadows as they flickered across the wall, his dark eyes reflecting the firelight.

Yuri blinked, coming out of his reverie. Gwendal’s eyes lingered on Yuri’s face as Yuri returned his gaze with wide, trusting eyes. Gwendal set the book down and reached up, stroking his thumb across Yuri’s forehead and along his cheek, stopping at his mouth.

Yuri shifted his body, reaching his arms up to clasp his hands behind Gwendal’s neck. Gwendal pulled him closer, and Yuri’s heart raced, feeling Gwendal’s steady breathing against his chest. Their eyes met, and in a moment of shared understanding, Gwendal tilted his head down, and Yuri leaned up. Their lips met in a tender, lingering kiss, the warmth from the fireplace wrapping around them as they melted into each other’s embrace.

When they gently broke apart, Gwendal looked down at Yuri and tenderly stroked his cheek. “It’s late,” he said.

Yuri laced his fingers through Gwendal’s, burying his head in the crook of his shoulder. “Let me stay,” Yuri pleaded. When Gwendal didn’t respond, Yuri looked up at him imploringly.

Gwendal fixed him with a serious expression. “To sleep.”

“Really?” Yuri asked hopefully.

Gwendal sighed. “Don’t ask for anything more,” he warned firmly, but his eyes were soft as he placed a gentle hand on Yuri’s head.

Yuri grinned as he followed Gwendal into the bedroom.

Gwendal opened the wooden wardrobe and hung his officer's greatcoat on the hook.

“Oh!” Yuri yelped. “I don’t have pajamas.”

“They’re in your room,” Gwendal replied flatly, stripping off his shirt, his back to Yuri.

Yuri let out a sulky groan. Gwendal looked over his shoulder. “I only sleep in shorts, but mine won’t fit you.”

Yuri looked down at his long pants and his jacket, which had a studded row of knobby brass buttons down the front. He asked shyly, “Do you mind if I sleep in my underwear?”

Gwendal replied nonchalantly, “I don’t care if you sleep naked, as long as you sleep.”

Relieved, Yuri hurried around the bed while Gwendal was still changing. He quickly slipped out of his jacket, undershirt, and pants, and climbed under the covers. Folding his clothes neatly, he looked around for where he could put them, then tossed the stack onto the chair in the corner of the room. They slid down the back and slumped to the floor. Yuri pulled the covers up to his chin as Gwendal settled on the other side of the bed.

Gwendal looked down at Yuri, who looked back at him with wide, apprehensive eyes. Reaching out and taking the covers in both hands, Gwendal yanked them up to cover Yuri’s head.

“Hey!” Yuri giggled, pulling them down.

“Sleep tight,” Gwendal told him gently.

Yuri smiled. “Good night.”

Gwendal turned down the lamp, snuffing out the light, and Yuri closed his eyes to sleep.

Silvery moonlight shone through a part in the curtains, slanting across the bed. A sharp knock woke the sleeping pair. With a groan, Gwendal sat up, then stood and switched on the light, walking over to the door. Yuri’s eyes followed him, full of concern.

Gwendal opened the door, revealing the tall figure of Conrad standing in the hallway.

“I’m sorry, Gwen,” he said. “Is Yuri here?”

Gwendal nodded, eyebrows raised.

From down the hall, dramatic wailing echoed off the stone walls.

Conrad explained, “Günter had a bad dream and went to check on Yuri. When he wasn’t in his room…”

“Your Majesty!” Günter’s voice carried down the corridor.

Gwendal let out a snorting breath. He called over his shoulder, “Yuri, come over here.”

Yuri sat up straight, scrambling around looking for his clothes. When he couldn’t find them, he stripped the bed sheet from under the covers and wrapped it around his waist, tucking his black underwear out of sight and hurrying to join Gwendal.

Conrad called out to Günter. “He’s here.”

Günter bustled past Conrad to the door crying, “Oh, Your Majesty…” He stopped short, taking in the sight of Gwendal standing shirtless, frowning coldly at him, and Yuri, nervously clutching only a trailing white sheet around his hips. He clapped a hand to his mouth, stifling a scream and ran off down the hallway.

Gwendal said, “We’ll see you at breakfast, Con.”

Conrad smiled politely and nodded. Gwendal shut the door and they returned to bed.

Günter was still weepy downstairs at breakfast. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he kept dabbing them with a handkerchief.

Wolfram leaned over to Yuri and asked in a low voice, “Did you and Big Brother…?”

Yuri shook his head quickly, his cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. “No!” he hissed.

Gwendal snapped, “Günter, stop being dramatic.”

Günter sniffled but nodded, trying to compose himself.

Later, walking hand in hand with Gwendal through the garden, Yuri reflected on how content and peaceful he felt, despite it being winter, his least favorite season. Even with bare branches and dormant flower beds, the garden held a serene beauty. Birds chirped cheerfully in the hedges. The sun cast a gentle warmth over the landscape, and the crisp air felt refreshing. Gwendal’s strong hand in his gave Yuri a sense of security and belonging he hadn’t felt since he was little.

Conrad joined them, his presence easygoing and warm. As the two brothers talked, Yuri wandered over to the reflecting pool, marveling at the perfect upside-down image of the castle and blue sky mirrored on its still surface.

A disturbance sent ripples shuddering through the reflection. A little bird floundered in the cold water, unable to get over the stone lip of the pool. Concerned, Yuri tried to reach out for it, but it was just out of his grasp. He repositioned himself, stretching further.

He heard Conrad say, “Careful, Yuri,” but just as he stretched a little further, he lost his balance and slipped into the pond. The water felt ice-cold, and though it was only about a foot deep, the shock made him gasp.

“I’ve got it,” he said, holding the little bird up high. Conrad quickly stepped forward, taking the bird from Yuri, cradling it to his chest.

“Here.” Gwendal extended a hand to help Yuri out of the water.

Yuri reached out, but just as their hands were about to touch, the water around him began to swirl violently. He felt a powerful force pulling him downward.

“No!” he yelled, scrambling to get out. “Gwendal!” he called desperately as the water pulled him under.

“Yuri!” Gwendal shouted, splashing his way out into the shallow pool. But as he reached for Yuri, he only felt cold stone below the surface. Yuri was gone.

Gwendal shouted in anger, hitting at the surface of the water violently, sending an arc of water into the air to crash down on the stone path. His face contorted into a mask of frustration.

Conrad, still holding the little bird, looked on with a mix of concern and resignation. “It’s always for a reason, Gwendal. He’ll be back.”

When the spinning stopped, Yuri found himself sitting in the warm bath in his parents’ house that his mother kept filled for him at all times. His arm still hung in the air, outstretched in front of him, reaching for nothing. He pressed his palm against the ceramic tile surrounding the tub. Curling his fingers into a weak fist, he wanted to punch something, but didn’t find the strength. Pulling his knees up to his chest and resting his head against his hand, Yuri burst into tears, unable to stop the heaving sobs that shook his body.

“Yu-chan?” His mother’s concerned voice called from the living room.

Yuri lay on the twin bed in his childhood bedroom, staring at the baseball poster on the ceiling above his head. This life didn’t seem real to him, almost like it was a dream he could barely remember. Now it felt like a nightmare he was waiting to wake up from.

His eyes were puffy and hot, but he was done crying now and just felt numb. He had been staring up at the poster for several hours now. It had almost become abstract: the batter frozen in time, his crisp white uniform wrinkling as he moved, sweat glistening on his brow, the swing of the bat, a home run in the making, the crowd goes wild…

The door opened, and Yuri's 22-year-old brother, Shouri, stepped into the room. His presence was as familiar as it was unwelcome. Yuri closed his eyes as Shouri attempted to make conversation, barely registering the supercilious tone he had been accustomed to hearing from Shouri since they were small.

As he spoke, Shouri fiddled with the items on the bookcase by the door, picking them up one by one, inspecting them while he talked. An autographed baseball, a plastic Mobile Suit Gundam figure, a shell found on the beach worn smooth by the waves and sand—each object seemed to only hold his attention for a moment before he placed it back.

“Little Brother, you think you can do whatever you want because you’re the Demon King,” Shouri said, his tone shifting from bossy to more authoritative. “I know things have been tough, but you have to think about your responsibilities. You have a family who cares about you, and you can't just shut us out.”

Yuri thought, what did Shouri know? He'd never had a relationship before, never felt the weight of losing someone important. The words felt hollow, coming from someone who couldn't possibly understand what Yuri felt.

“You're not the only one who's struggling, you know,” Shouri added, his voice tinged with frustration. “We all have to deal with things we don't like. It's called being an adult.”

Shouri continued, “This little ‘depressed act’ of yours isn't helping anyone. We all have our problems, but that doesn't mean we can just give up. You need to snap out of it and start being a part of this family again.”

Yuri continued to lie motionless, not acknowledging Shouri’s words or presence.

“You know, you’re being a real fucking asshole to Mom and Dad.” Shouri snapped. “Grow up!”

Shouri used to know exactly how to push Yuri’s buttons, and Yuri was surprised to realize he didn’t feel anything right now. It was almost like listening to a TV playing in the background.

Not taking his eyes off the poster, Yuri said flatly, “Why don’t you go back to your bedroom and beat off again to your perverted Loli-girl video games?”

Shouri sucked in a shocked breath. He slammed the door as hard as he could and stomped down the hall toward his room. Yuri heard his mother calling out to Shouri, and then the distant slam of his bedroom door.

Yuri finally felt something again. This time it was sickening guilt over what he had just said. He rolled over into the fetal position and burst into tears again, crying bitterly.

A few hours later, the door opened again. This time it was Yuri’s father, wearing his work suit, looking like he had just gotten home. Yuri sat up on the edge of the bed, looking down at the floor. His dad sat down next to him, saying, “Good to see you, Champ.”

Yuri laughed weakly, the sound barely escaping his lips.

His dad's voice was filled with concern as he said, “You know, your mother is very worried about you.”

Yuri quietly said, “I’m sorry.”

His dad sighed softly. “I’m not going to ask if ‘everything’s okay,’ because it obviously isn’t, but did something happen over there? Did someone get hurt?”

Yuri shook his head, feeling miserable. He felt pathetically childish.

His father gave him a comforting pat on the knee. “Take your time. Sometimes that’s what we need.”

Yuri looked up at him, surprised. A sense of relief and gratitude washed over him.

His dad stood and walked over to the door. “I trust you, Yuri. Things are going to be okay. I’ll talk to you again tomorrow, alright?” Yuri nodded. His dad softly closed the door.

The house was silent, and everyone was asleep. Yuri crept quietly out of his room and walked down the hall to the bathroom, flipping on the light and sliding the door shut behind him. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the bathtub fully clothed. He looked down at the water, waiting. Nothing happened. He sat down heavily in the bathtub. Water sloshed over the side and onto the tiled floor. Nothing. Disappointed, he got out, stripped off his wet socks and his clothes, putting the sodden mess in the bathroom sink to drain. He wrapped a towel around his waist.

When he passed the kitchen table, he saw a handwritten note propped up against a vase of flowers. It read:

          Yu-chan,

          I hope you’re feeling better! I left

          you a plate of dinner in the

          refrigerator.

          Love,

          Mama XO

Yuri felt a stab of guilt as he trudged back to his room.

Yuri woke to a gentle knock on the door. He opened his eyes. Soft morning sunlight lit the small room. He looked up at the poster above his bed, realizing that he was still on Earth.

His mother opened the door, looking in at him with worry in her large brown eyes. “Are you awake, Yu-chan?”

Yuri turned his head to look at her. “No.”

“It’s time to get ready for school,” she said.

He hadn’t even thought of school. There didn’t seem to be any point in spending his time sitting in a classroom surrounded by people who felt like strangers, learning English or the history and geography of Earth. “I’m not going,” he said without emotion.

“Okay, Yu-chan, but why don’t you come and have breakfast with your Papa and Sho-chan?”

Yuri shook his head, rolling over to face the wall. He heard the sounds of his mother setting something on his desk and closing the bedroom door. Turning over to look, Yuri saw a steaming cup of tea and a bowl of miso soup.

Later in the morning, Yuri brought the empty cup and bowl out to the kitchen. His mother was sitting at the table writing out a list. She smiled happily and said, “Good morning, Darling!”

He looked around the kitchen, which was the same as always. The shelves on the wall were cluttered with his mother’s collection of cute stuffed animals, strawberry-printed tea set, cuckoo clock, and knick knacks.

“Yu-chan, do you want to come grocery shopping with Mama?” she asked hopefully. He shook his head. She looked disappointed. “Well, maybe you should go for a walk. The fresh air does wonders to improve the mood.”

Yuri thought of his usual walk through the neighborhood to the park, picturing the empty, snow-covered baseball field. “I’m just going to go lie down some more,” he said, leaving the room.

Later, after he heard the front door close, Yuri went back to the bathroom. He looked down at the tub full of water. This time he pulled off his socks and rolled up his pants, less hopeful about his chances of it being anything more than a bathtub. He stepped into the warm water, standing still for a moment. Then he stepped back onto the tiled floor, dried his legs off with a towel, and walked back to his room carrying his socks.

The sun sat low on the horizon, filling Yuri’s bedroom with an orange glow. He sat cross-legged on his bed with his back to the wall. With a hand held out in front of him and his eyes focused in concentration, he watched a floating stream of water that swirled and turned in on itself like a mobius strip.

A knock at the door broke his concentration, and the stream faltered, splashing down heavily on the bed as the door opened. His father grinned broadly at him from the doorway. “Don’t tell me my boy uses water magic! You’re a chip off the old block.” He beamed proudly at Yuri.

Yuri looked at him surprised. He had seen Bob use magic on Earth, but he had never considered that his dad might know how to use it.

“You can use water magic, too?” Yuri asked incredulously.

His father crossed the room and sat down on the foot of the bed, avoiding the wet spot. “You probably don’t remember this, but when you and your brother were little, you had a little inflatable play pool that we would set up during the summer in the backyard…”

Yuri broke in. “Wait! The fountains and jets of water–?”

His father smiled, shaking his head. “It was just a cheap vinyl pool.”

Yuri laughed at the realization.

His father smiled back at him. “Hey, show your old man what you can do.”

They spent the next hour sharing different tricks and skills they could do. Yuri was impressed that his father’s handling of water was so smooth and practiced.

Finally his dad said, “Your mother is making curry tonight. How about you get cleaned up and come eat at the table with us?”

Yuri nodded. “Thanks dad.”

His father stood, then patted him on the head, ruffling Yuri’s hair before leaving the room.

Yuri’s mother smiled happily at him throughout dinner, pushing him to eat more. He felt guilty that he had spent the last few days shut in his bedroom moping.

Shouri glared down at his plate, refusing to make eye contact with Yuri.

“Yu-chan,” his mother chirped. “How’s Wolf-chan?”

“Oh… uh,” Yuri pushed rice around on his plate with his fork, not sure how to explain things. “It didn’t work out.”

“Oh! Darling.” she exclaimed. “Now I know these things can be upsetting…”

Yuri waved his hands. “No, no! It’s okay. I’m fine… We’re both fine.” He took a deep breath and admitted, “Actually, I’m seeing someone else. And so is Wolfram.” He looked self-consciously at his parents.

“Well…” his dad said, searching for supportive words. “That’s wonderful, son. Tell us all about it.”

Yuri’s cheeks flushed at the thought of telling his parents he was dating anyone, let alone a demon who was ten times his age. Clenching his fists under the table in embarrassment, Yuri blurted out, “It’s Gwendal.”

His mother’s eyes lit up. “Oh, the beautiful supermodel with the long lilac hair?”

“No, no, Honey,” corrected his father. “That’s Günter. Gwendal is the big, quiet guy, right?”

She happily clapped her hands together. “Ah! Mr. Cool Ponytail!”

Yuri fervently wished a vortex would open under his chair and suck him away to any dimension, just so he could get away from the conversation.

Yuri’s mother turned to his father and exclaimed, “You see, Uma-kun! Mama knew it was just hormones causing Yu-chan’s mood.”

She turned to Yuri. “Darling, I had the same problem at your age. In fact, my parents put me in fencing lessons just so I could take out my feelings in a constructive way.”

“Oh…” Yuri said, not knowing how to navigate the awkward conversation.

“Tch,” Shouri muttered. “And they expect an unstable, moody child to rule a country?”

“Sho-chan!” Their mother harshly scolded, slapping her palm down on the table causing the silverware to jump. Shouri jumped, too. “We discussed this. Your father and I expect you to get along with your little brother.”

“But he started–” Shouri protested.

“I expect more from a grown adult. Especially one who has finished university and still hasn’t bothered to look for a job.”

Shouri cringed under her fierce glare.

“Your Mama is not going to be raising a NEET, so you had better work harder. At fifteen, your brother had already gotten himself a very important job, and you, at your age, can’t even keep up with Mr. Bob’s training program.” She fixed Shouri with a piercing stare.

Shouri bent his head down, shoulders hunched. “Yes, Mama.”

“Well.” Finished their mother, smoothing down her apron and looking around the table. “Would anyone like ice cream for dessert?”

Shouri excused himself to his room after dinner and their father explained that he needed to meet a client for drinks. Putting on his overcoat, he kissed Yuri’s mother goodbye. From where he was seated on the couch, Yuri gave a small wave and told him goodnight. His father looked at him affectionately. “It’s good to see you feeling better, Son.”

When the door closed, Yuri’s mother came and sat next to him on the couch. She took his hand in hers, saying, “Yu-chan, I’m so happy to hear that you’re in love! I know it’s difficult now being away, but things will get better.” She smiled knowingly. “Mama has a feeling you will be going back to your world very soon, so please enjoy the time you have here with us.”

Yuri felt comforted by her words. He smiled gratefully and nodded.

“I can’t wait to see Gwendal again sometime,” she added. “He reminds me a lot of your Papa: serious and quiet, but really a sweetheart on the inside.”

Yuri hadn’t thought of it before, but he completely agreed.

Yuri helped his mother clean up the kitchen. Afterwards, he rifled through the cupboards looking for something else to eat. He pulled out a plastic package of snack mix: spicy rice crackers and peanuts. Peering into the bag, his eyes lit up. Since he was in Japan, he should bring some peanuts back for Lucas to try.

He went to the hallway and called out, “Mom!”

She popped her head out of the back bedroom. “Call me Mama, Yu-chan!”

He smiled. “Mama, I’m going out to the store for a bit.”

“Have fun, Dear,” she replied sweetly.

In his bedroom, Yuri opened up the baseball card tin on his bookshelf where he kept his stash of money. His eyes widened. The folded stack of bills was thicker than he remembered, with a crisp 10,000 yen note wrapped around his creased, smaller bills. Yuri smiled, thinking, thanks dad. Instead of counting out what he needed, he shoved the wad of money into his pocket and pulled his coat out of his closet.

Yuri walked down the bustling streets of Shinjuku, his breath visible in the crisp winter air. A layer of snow crunched underfoot, compacted by countless pedestrians who had come that way throughout the day. Bright shop lights and neon signs cast a kaleidoscope of colors onto the snow-covered ground, giving the streets a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. People hurried past, clutching transparent plastic umbrellas against the light snowfall. The air was filled with the sounds of city life—murmurs of conversation, the distant hum of traffic, and the occasional chime of a shop door opening and closing.

He pulled his coat tighter around himself, feeling the chill seep through. The familiarity of the big city was comforting, but the vibrant energy of Shinjuku felt almost overwhelming after his life in the rustic Great Demon Kingdom. As he continued walking, the bustling street seemed to blend into a blur of motion and sound, making him feel like a tourist in his home country.

Yuri peered down a narrow side alley, which was a dynamic little world in itself. Hanging over the back street, a tangled web of wires criss-crossed between the buildings, giving it an industrial, maze-like feel. Unassuming doorways led to small restaurants and bars, their entrances marked by simple signs and menu boards. Outside one restaurant, a rack of umbrellas stood next to a board printed with a photo of a delicious-looking bowl of ramen.

As Yuri continued down the street, a familiar and unexpected sight brought a smile to his face. Standing outside the Kentucky Fried Chicken entrance was a statue of Colonel Sanders, dressed in a red Santa suit, cheerfully holding a sign advertising their holiday meal buckets. The seasoned aroma of fried chicken wafted through the air. He couldn't remember the last time he had tasted fast food, and the thought made him shake his head and laugh quietly to himself.

Yuri was startled to realize that it must be nearly Christmas. He had only planned to stop at the grocery store, but he decided while he was out, he would go shopping for gifts for his friends and family. He started to make a list in his head of who he needed to shop for and which stores to visit.

Turning out onto the main road, tall office buildings loomed behind the brightly lit shopping malls which surrounded Shinjuku station. It had been a while since Yuri had been there and he had almost forgotten his way around. As he walked, he read the brightly-lit signs on top of the city block-sized shopping complexes. Odakyu… Keio… LUMINE… Mylord… There! Yuri saw the sign he was looking for: Takashimaya. He had forgotten it was on the other side of the tangle of train tracks, on the East side of the huge station. He hurried down a flight of stairs into the pedestrian tunnel that ran under the subway station and began the long walk, keeping an eye out for the sign to the South Exit of the station.

From the underground entrance, Yuri took an escalator up to the main mall. He had ideas in his mind of which presents might be good for each of his friends, but he wasn’t fully decided and he planned to browse a bit. Passing a brightly lit cosmetics counter, Yuri found his first gift. Clear, shimmery lip gloss would be perfect for Günter. He picked up the tube and continued to look around the store.

On another counter, bottles of various sizes and shapes caught his eye. Perfume was exactly what he had in mind for Lady Celi, but seeing the baffling selection made him realize he had no idea how women picked one out. He hesitated, then realized the only thing to do was to follow his nose.

He picked up a round bottle filled with pink liquid and sniffed at the lid. Ugh! Baby powder. He set it down quickly. He picked up another bottle that had a fancy lid shaped like a huge cut diamond. It looked like something the former Demon Queen would like. The perfume had a heady, musky aroma, and he thought he might have found a winner, but when he looked at the price on the display, Yuri carefully put the bottle back as if it might explode.

He sniffed at a tall, teardrop-shaped bottle with blue liquid that reminded him of the ocean, one with a lid that looked like a flower and smelled like a tree full of orange blossoms, and a bottle with a bow on it that smelled of berries. Just when Yuri was thinking of giving up and asking a store clerk to pick one out for him, the name on a very plain-looking bottle caught his attention.

The simple square label read “7 Billion Hearts.” The bottle was just an unembellished glass tube with a cylindrical silver lid. Dubiously, Yuri pulled off the lid and sniffed. At first he noticed only vanilla, but then there was something earthy and resinous underneath the scent. He sprayed it on his wrist and waved it under his nose. He liked it. Yuri looked through the packages stacked below the counter. Instead of a cardboard box like the other perfumes were sealed in, this one came in a black cardboard tube, like he would expect an art print to come rolled in. Happy with the decision, he proceeded to the floor where the jewelry was sold.

Heading up a few floors, Yuri stepped off the escalator to look through the jewelry displays. In brightly-lit glass-topped counters, rows of elegant necklaces, delicate earrings, and sparkling rings sat meticulously arranged on velvet cushions. The counters were separated by brand, each ranging in style from minimalist designs to more ornate and traditional pieces.

Yuri's eyes were drawn to a section displaying a collection of pendants. He noticed a beautiful necklace with a pendant shaped like a sakura blossom, crafted from pink quartz and set in silver.It seemed perfect for his mother.

Continuing to browse, he thought of Gisela, who had been so patient in teaching him magic. For her, he chose a delicate hairpin adorned with tiny amethysts as a token of his appreciation for her guidance and support.

The sales assistants, dressed in smart uniforms, moving gracefully behind the counters, packaged up his items in little boxes tied with bows, placing them inside decorative envelopes sealed with a shiny sticker. Yuri had forgotten how convenient the customer service in Tokyo was!

Attached to the mall, the department store Tokyu Hands spanned multiple floors, known for its wide range of goods. Bright green signage marked the entrance, inviting shoppers into a collection of housewares, stationery, and arts and crafts supplies. Yuri made his way through the aisles, which were crowded with people exploring the eclectic assortment of items.

For his father, Yuri meandered into the section specializing in traditional Japanese crafts. After a bit of searching, he found a neatly crafted set of calligraphy brushes. The set included a small inkstone and a bamboo brush holder, all packaged in an elegant wooden box. His dad had always enjoyed practicing calligraphy in his spare time, and Yuri could already imagine his pleased expression as he unwrapped the gift.

Next, Yuri made his way to the plush toys section on another floor, thinking of Gwendal’s secret love of all things cute. He smiled as he found a small plump plush yellow cat with an 'X' stitched under its tail, cheekily looking over its shoulder displaying its butthole with a smug smile. It was quirky and cute—something he thought might amuse Gwendal, even if it was a bit unconventional.

However, Yuri felt he should get Gwendal something more. He thought for a moment and realized that a book might be the perfect complement to the silly toy. He needed to get himself some books in Japanese to take back with him, and the bookstore was on the way back home. Yuri made a mental note to grab something Gwendal would like while he was there.

Thinking about what more he needed to do, Yuri decided he still had to hit the grocery store and the bookstore. Ticking off on his fingers, Yuri counted who he had already gotten presents for and who he still needed to shop for–Lucas, Wolfram, Conrad, Josak, Anissina. His brother Shouri’s angry face popped into his mind. They didn’t have the best relationship, but he supposed it would be awkward if he left presents for his parents and nothing for his brother.

Before he left the mall, he made his way quickly back to the menswear section, looking for some accessory to get him as a diplomatic offering. When it came to selecting a present for his older brother, Yuri felt a bit more challenged. Looking around, his eyes settled on a plain leather wallet, which he snatched up and purchased without much thought, happy to tick off one more present.

His last stop was to take the elevator down to the basement of the mall. A grocery store spanned the entire level, filled with an array of goods. The room was brightly lit, with neatly arranged aisles stocked with fresh produce, packaged foods, and specialty items. The air was filled with the scents of baked goods and ready-to-eat meals. The displays were meticulously organized, showcasing a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, and gourmet products, each section drawing the eye with its colorful offerings.

Yuri felt overwhelmed with the choices in the store, having only been used to the food stalls in the marketplace outside the castle walls for the last year. As Yuri navigated through the aisles, he marveled at the different brightly-colored boxes and packages on shelves that displayed a wide selection of delicious-looking foods.

Down the condiments aisle, Yuri found a large jar of creamy peanut butter for Lucas, knowing if this didn’t convince him about the wonder of peanuts, nothing would. Placing it in his hand basket, Yuri wondered what he could get Wolfram. A snack might not be a good enough offering for Wolfram’s refined tastes. Yuri grinned. Maybe he should have gotten him some perfume like he did for his mother. He supposed something would come to mind as he browsed.

Making his way to the end of the aisle, Yuri found the perfect gift for Anissina–a box of high-quality black tea flavored with rose petals. The tea leaves were sewn into a delicate mesh bag that dangled on a string from a small paper tag. Grinning to himself, he knew the idea of tea bags would fascinate her.

Up near the front of the store, Yuri paused to look through the gift boxes of food items. The packaging was nothing short of exquisite. Each box was designed to highlight the perfection of its contents, with elegant, minimalist designs that exuded luxury.

The fancy boxes of fruit were especially eye-catching, each one displaying a few pieces of perfect specimens. Mangos sat snugly in little cushions of foam netting, their vibrant colors standing out against the pristine white packaging. A plastic container held nine perfect pink strawberries, each one nestled in its own individual compartment, ensuring it remained unblemished. A small, square watermelon, with its unusual shape and deep green hue, was a marvel to behold.

Yuri looked at a bunch of glossy, unblemished fat green grapes that seemed like they were out of a painting, marveling at the 8400 yen price tag. The grapes were presented in a delicate, translucent box that allowed their natural beauty to shine through.

For Conrad and Josak, Yuri decided on a gourmet selection of dried persimmons and jerky made from various meats and whole dried fish, all presented in a decorative metal tin, which was printed with an old-fashioned scene of a rural Japanese village. He thought they would appreciate something traditional and regional from Japan, Yuri also grabbed a box of Meiji Almonds from a nearby shelf, knowing Conrad liked them.

Having made his selection, Yuri headed to the checkout, feeling satisfied with his choices. With his purchases in hand, Yuri walked back through the crowded streets of Tokyo, excited at the idea of bringing Christmas presents to his friends in the castle. He was looking forward to seeing their reactions.

Yuri entered the bookstore, inhaling the familiar scent of paper and ink that hung in the air. First, he wandered down the aisles, looking for some books he might enjoy reading before bed back in the castle. Finding a few that caught his eye, he turned his attention to something for Gwendal, thinking hard about what he would like.

Yuri browsed the shelves thoughtfully. His eyes lit up when he found a book of short stories by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa. He remembered reading a compelling story in school about a woodcutter, a swordsman, and a murder investigation. Flipping through the book to the contents page, he ran his finger down the list until he found “In a Grove.” That was it! He knew Gwendal would appreciate the author’s unique style of storytelling and suspenseful plot. He looked forward to reading it to him.

Wandering deeper into the shelves, Yuri ended up in the manga section. He used to follow a few series, but so much had happened in his life since he was a normal teenager living in Tokyo, the names of the titles escaped him. His attention was suddenly caught by a cover that featured a blonde cat boy striking a flirtatious pose. It reminded him of Wolfram and Yuri chuckled. The book had a paper band around it indicating an Over 18 rating, which made Yuri hesitate and start to put it back on the shelf. Then he remembered that Wolfram was over 80. Deciding to take the risk, he grabbed the manga, unsure if he would be allowed to buy it without showing ID. Hiding the slim book in the middle of his stack to avoid drawing attention, Yuri made his way up to the front of the store.

At the checkout counter, the cashier, a young woman in her 20s, scanned his books with a bored expression. When she got to the manga, she looked at Yuri. He grinned sheepishly at her, feeling his face heat up. To his surprise, she smiled quietly and said, “It's one of my favorites,” before scanning it and quickly placing it in the bag.

Yuri let out the breath he was holding and thanked her happily when she handed over the taped shut bag of books. Feeling relieved and accomplished, he headed out to the street, hurrying home.

Back in his room, Yuri carefully arranged the wrapped presents he had bought for his family on his desk. He pulled a piece of scrap paper from the drawer and scribbled a note, explaining that the gifts were for Christmas, just in case he returned to the Demon Kingdom before then.

After that, Yuri headed to the kitchen where his mother was making herself a cup of chamomile tea before bed. “Mom—ah, Mama, how do you usually pack things to send with me when I travel to the Demon Kingdom so they don’t get damaged?”

Her face lit up with excitement. “Mama has just the thing, Yu-chan!” she said, hurrying over to the closet and pulling out a blue duffel bag. It had a utilitarian design, practical and sturdy.

She announced proudly, “I bought this from a boating supply shop specifically to send things through with you when you travel.”

Together, they sealed each present in individual ziplock bags, making sure everything was secure and watertight. His mother then carefully packed them into the waterproof bag.

“Now, let me show you how to close it properly,” she said, demonstrating as she spoke. “Roll the top down three times, bend the ends in, and then buckle them together.”

Yuri followed her instructions, ensuring he got it right. They placed the bag near the hallway, ready for when it was time to go. “Thanks, Mom. This really means a lot,” Yuri said, appreciatively.

She smiled happily. “Anything for my baby, Yu-chan!”

The next day, Yuri spent the morning helping his mother around the house. In the afternoon, he retreated to his room to listen to music and relax. When he emerged at dinner time, he was surprised to find a small Christmas tree with a few presents set up in the living room. The low table was laid with plates and dishes piled high with food, a round cake topped with strawberries standing in the center.

“Sho-chan! Quit grazing and wait,” his mother scolded.

Puzzled, Yuri asked, “What's all this?”

His dad replied, “Mom had a feeling you'd be going back soon, so she decided to have a Christmas celebration tonight.”

Yuri felt relieved that he'd already bought presents. He quickly retrieved the gifts from his room and placed them under the tree.

“Here, you two wear these,” his mother said, handing Shouri and Yuri cute reindeer hats. She and their dad donned Santa hats.

The family gathered around the table to eat. There was a variety of traditional Japanese dishes: tempura shrimp, steaming rounded mounds of rice, grilled fish, and a colorful array of pickled vegetables. The cake topped with strawberries was a classic Japanese Christmas cake, light and fluffy with a layer of whipped cream.

After the meal, it was time to exchange presents. Yuri's mom and dad handed him a gift together. “You probably have everything you need over there as King,” his dad joked.

Yuri laughed. “What could this be, then?”

“Something we thought you didn’t have at the castle,” his mother said with a smile.

Yuri unwrapped the gift to find a framed photo of the family standing in their backyard. His dad had taken it on a timer during Yuri's last visit home. They were all smiling at the camera. Yuri's heart warmed. “This is perfect. Thank you so much,” he said, beaming.

He handed his presents to his parents. His dad admired the calligraphy set. “This is wonderful, Yuri. Thank you.”

His mom was equally pleased with her necklace, pulling him into a hug. “It's beautiful. You have such good taste!”

Yuri gave Shouri his gift. Shouri accepted it politely. In return, Shouri handed Yuri a sloppily-wrapped present. Yuri opened it to reveal a Hello Kitty doll wearing a baseball uniform and a package of strawberry Pocky. He laughed awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Thanks, Shouri.”

After dinner, when their parents were busy doing the dishes, Yuri approached Shouri. “Hey, I wanted to apologize for what I said the other day.”

Shouri looked at him and shrugged. “It's okay. It was a wake-up call I needed. Last week, Bob had a serious talk with me and said if I didn’t get my life together, he’d find someone else to train as his replacement. Yesterday, I packed up my video games and sold them. I'm going to focus on my training now.”

Yuri felt relieved no one in the Great Demon Kingdom had sat him down and had that talk with him. He supposed he had better take Günter’s lessons more seriously the next time he saw him. “Ganbatte!” he said encouragingly.

Shouri nodded, a determined look in his eyes. “Thanks, Yuri.”

Yuri’s mom helped him wrap the framed picture so it wouldn’t get broken, and stored it away in the waterproof bag. While he was in the kitchen, he snuck the Hello Kitty doll onto the shelf with his mother’s plush toys. Yuri went to bed feeling a sense of contentment, grateful for the time he got to spend with his family.

The next day was Sunday. Their dad had the day off work and the family enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. When Yuri finished eating and stood up to clear his plates, his mother clasped her hands together and looked up at him earnestly. “Yu-chan, today is the day you will be going back!”

Yuri sat back down. “How can you tell?” he asked hopefully.

Yuri’s father folded his newspaper and smiled. “She seems to have a sense about it. Mom knew last time as well.”

After clearing the dishes, Yuri and his dad put on their coats and headed out to the garden shed. After rummaging around, his dad pulled out a folded inflatable pool. Yuri helped spread it out on the patio. It was made of white vinyl with blue jumping dolphins printed on it, clearly designed for young children. They inflated and filled it, checking to make sure it was watertight.

While poking around in the shed, Yuri found his old baseball bat. He took it out and swung it a few times in the yard. His dad watched, then called out, “Think fast!” Yuri turned just in time to drop the bat and catch the fastball his dad threw.

“Nice catch!” his dad praised, beaming.

“I’ve been practicing,” Yuri replied, smiling back. They continued to play catch on the lawn. The ground was covered with a thin layer of snow, which crunched softly under their feet. The suburban Tokyo neighborhood was peaceful and still, with only the sound of cawing crows heard in the distance.

After a while, they checked the pool. “Looks like she'll hold water!” his dad announced, leaning down and patting the side.

The kitchen door slid open and Yuri's mother joined them, holding a steaming pan of boiling water.

Yuri’s dad looked at the pool with his hands on his hips and said, “Well, it’s all set. I guess you could say we’ve made quite a splash preparing for your journey!”

Yuri groaned.

“Sho-chan!” his mother called toward the house as she knelt down and poured the hot water into the pool, mixing it in with her hand to test the temperature.

Shouri joined them on the patio carrying the waterproof bag, which Yuri took and slung around his chest.

Yuri’s father held his hands out toward the water, causing the surface to bubble. Spraying streams of water arced up into the air, dancing above the pool and falling back with a splash.

His dad turned to Yuri and said, “Show your mom, Son.”

Yuri concentrated and formed a water sphere the size of a baseball in the palm of his hand. He tossed it into the air, and it splashed down perfectly, bursting when he caught it.

“Wonderful!” his mother clapped, delighted.

“Not bad, Little Brother," Shouri commented.

Yuri took a deep breath and then stepped into the pool. To his immense relief, the water began to swirl around him, signaling the portal's activation.

“Take care of yourself!” his mom called out, a hint of worry in her voice. “Don't forget to change your underwear!”

“Bye, everyone!” Yuri shouted as he felt himself getting sucked down into the pool. “I'll miss you!

“We'll miss you too, Son. Stay safe,” his dad said, his voice steady and reassuring.

Yuri held on tightly to the waterproof bag, feeling the familiar sensation of the portal's pull. The last thing he saw before being whisked away was his family's smiling faces, framed by the snowy garden.

Yuri surfaced in the frigid water, gasping from the sudden temperature change. His waterproof bag bobbed to the surface next to him, and he slipped his arm through the strap before it floated away. His feet squished in thick mud as he reached up and picked a tangle of slimy weeds off his head. Trying to wade out, he found himself hindered by thick clumps of reeds lining the pond.

Yuri looked around, confused, not recognizing where he was. Was he even at the castle?

To Yuri’s relief, he heard voices speaking the language of the Demon Kingdom. Turning himself around in the water, he saw the towering facade of a stone building. Realization dawned on him: he was at the backside of the castle, floating in the rainwater catchment pond.

Yuri looked up to see who was speaking. On the patio of a second-floor balcony, Lucas and Wolfram leaned against the railing, engaged in conversation. Wolfram’s keen eyes fell on Yuri, and he stood up quickly, calling out across the courtyard, “Yuri!” He turned, shouting, “Big Brother! Yuri’s back!” Lucas grinned and waved to Yuri, who was now shivering. Yuri waved back.

Conrad arrived first. “Yuri, are you alright?” he called out.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” Yuri replied, tossing the bag to Conrad, who caught it easily. “Just a bit wet.”

Günter and Gwendal arrived at the pond. Günter cried with joy at the sight of him. “Your Majesty, you're safe!”

Gwendal moved to step into the water, but Yuri held up a hand. “Wait, Gwendal! You don't need to get wet.”

“I don't care about that,” Gwendal replied, wading through the reeds, slipping down the muddy embankment, and landing in the water with a splash. Yuri made his way to Gwendal, who dragged him to a shallow area where they both stood up, dripping and muddy.

Shaking from the cold, Yuri stiffly reached out for Gwendal, who responded by pulling him close, touching his forehead to Yuri’s.

“I missed you,” Yuri whispered.

Gwendal cupped his hand around the back of Yuri’s head, caressing the base of his neck. He sighed. “I missed you, too.”

Yuri looked down and laughed. He plucked a small green frog off Gwendal’s muddy suit and let it go in the water.

“Let’s get you out of here,” Gwendal said as he picked Yuri up and carried him up the bank to dry land. They made eye contact, and Gwendal gave Yuri a warm, tender kiss.

Through chattering teeth, Yuri said, “I’m back!”

Gwendal smiled. “Welcome home.”

Chapter Text

“Psst! Yuri–”  

Walking down the corridor of the castle, Yuri paused. Wolfram popped his head out from a doorway and conspiratorially waved, beckoning to him. Behind Wolfram, Murata, Yuri’s high school friend and the reincarnation of The Great Sage grinned. Wondering what the two could be up to, Yuri followed them into the room.

He looked up at Wolfram’s head and laughed. “Are you wearing wolf ears?” He had clearly cut the trim off his pair of winter gloves and attached furry triangles to a headband that sat perched above his blonde curls. He also appeared to have cut the arms off one of Yuri’s black sweaters and wore them bunched around his ankles as legwarmers. Instead of his usual blue suit, he wore a snug-fitting black shirt and a pair of slim black pants.

Placing a hand on his hip, Wolfram glared at Yuri. “They’re cat ears. I’m a neko-danshi.”

Yuri looked at Murata, stunned. “You taught him that word?”

The Great Sage shook his head with a smile.

“Yuri!” Wolfram demanded, clutching a slim paperback with its cover folded over, pointing to the last page and thrusting it under Yuri’s nose. He jabbed at the text. “Here–it says there's a sequel. I need the second book!”

Yuri took the book from him and flipped back to the front cover. It was the manga he had given Wolfram for Christmas, featuring the flirty cat boy on the cover. He turned back to read the last page again.

“Wait, Wolfram…?” he asked in disbelief.  “This is all in Japanese. How in the world did you read that there’s another book in the series?” 

Wolfram regarded him haughtily. “Well, it wasn’t hard to pick it up when I started reading it. I don’t know why you’re struggling so much to read the written Demon language.”

Murata chuckled. “I told Wolfram there’s a whole district full of yaoi bookstores.”

Yuri blinked. “You mean Ikebukuro?”

Murata nodded, his glasses glinting opaquely. He added with a smile. “They even have butler cafes.”

Wolfram rolled his eyes. “So? What’s the big deal? It’s normal to be served by butlers.”

Yuri sighed. He said firmly, “Wolfram, we are not traveling to Earth to shop for yaoi manga.”

“Please, Yuri!” Wolfram pouted. “His Excellency told me there are tradesmen who sell clothes like they wear in the book.”

Yuri glanced back at Murata. “You mean the trendy shops in Harajuku?”

Murata added, “Think of it as a cultural experience.”

Yuri shook his head, walking away. “I’m not asking Shinou to send us back to Tokyo just to shop for manga.”

But Wolfram and Murata were persistent. They trailed Yuri down the hall, bombarding him with reasons why the trip was necessary.

Finally, Yuri broke into a run. “I said no!” he called over his shoulder as he dashed down the corridor.

Wolfram and Murata chased him, determined to wear him down. Spotting an escape, Yuri sprinted towards the bath. He leaped into the pool and the water began to rotate and glow.

Without hesitation, Murata grabbed Wolfram’s hand. “Ready?”

Wolfram nodded. “Let’s go!”

They jumped in after Yuri, causing a huge splash of water to surge over onto the tiled floor, leaving behind only a puddle in the now-empty bathhouse.