Consequences of the Maou\'s Heart

Chapter 7

Gunter watched Yuri run out of the Maou’s office like a bird with its tail feathers aflame. Watching the double black panic was one of his guilty pleasures. The excuses Heika used just to get out of learning a bit of historical information could be down right ridiculous. He straightened a few of the papers that had been disturbed during Yuri’s rant and eventual escape from the office. Even though he was due to meet with Gwendal within the hour it went against his nature to leave Heika’s office in disarray. Every other room in the castle may be fair game for what had been dubbed Gunter tornadoes but that particular office was a near sacred space for him. After picking up the last few papers he departed the room and made his way towards his own office. With the object of his strange obsession out of sight his thoughts returned to a more normal pattern. This newest development with Yuri Heika and Wolfram ran thought his mind as he walked. He had known that Yuri would eventually make up his mind concerning his engagement. As far as he was concerned the situation had dragged on far too long as it was. Lord Bielefeld wasn’t his favorite person but even Gunter could admit the younger Mazoku had been more patient than was expected. He had anticipated Wolfram would have pushed the Maou into wedding years ago, but the blond had left the subject of an actual marriage alone for the most part. In many ways Gunter was unsure if Wolfram really wanted to marry Yuri, his accusations of the Maou’s infidelity suggested he didn’t want anyone else to marry the double black but he rarely made any amorous moves toward Yuri. He couldn’t help but think perhaps this really would be a blessing for both members of the royal couple. Yuri was still quite young and despite his rank and military experience Wolfram had very little experience in the ways of love and romance. In the years before Yuri came Gunter had seen a great many men and women come to the castle looking to woo the third prince. Most had assumed that the only child to inherit Lady Celi’s looks had inherited her views on free love as well. They had tried to worm their way into his bed with compliments and gifts only to leave the castle angry and somewhat charred when their affections were not returned. He guessed that Wolfram’s initial actions after the engagement was established were due too the blond’s own experience with would be lovers. Still hearing about the Mazoku’s sleepwear, or lack there of, that first night he spent with Heika was quite the shock. Yuri had always been a symbol of hope and innocence to Gunter. How this one double black boy could come along and get such results with so little bloodshed amazed the lavender haired warrior, and of course in his eyes Heika was also extremely sexy.

As Gunter pushed open the doors to his own office he noticed a few maids walking quickly down the halls whispering amongst themselves. He could only wonder what the newest rumor would be and hope none of them had over heard his conversation with the Maou. It would be a disaster should Wolfram hear of Yuri’s thoughts on ending the engagement through such rumors. He would have to coach Yuri on being gentle about it, or better yet suggest Conrart help the Maou out. Yuri always seemed to listen to the half-human far more seriously than he did any other. Glancing about his office with its piles of books and loose notes piled haphazardly he began gathering the documents pertaining to the castle’s expenses for the coming season. Gwendal had asked him to look into spending on frivolous luxuries; the Maou had recently suggested that less money be spent on fancy balls and more spent on improving the lives of Shin Makoku’s people. It was one of the decisions that Yuri had been making recently that made many believe he was finally growing into the king he had the potential to be. He knew finances would likely be the smallest part of the coming meeting with his new bit of information but it would be simply unbecoming not to be prepared for the original purpose of the meeting.

He noticed one of the papers he needed resting on the top shelf of one of the book cases and moved to retrieve it. His fingers didn’t quite reach the paper standing normally so he stretched towards it rising to rest his weight on the ball of one foot while the other foot lifted gracefully off the ground behind him. When a warm hand snaked around his waist the lavender haired man fought back a startled squeak. His skills as a swordsman and fighter had not waned but there was always one Mazoku able to blatantly stroll past his awareness when ever he wanted to. The nearly forgotten paper was snagged in the grasp of a second hand appearing on Gunter’s other side. Gunter smiled at the familiar uniform wrapped around the arm that was now sliding to rest on his hip after depositing the document on a lower shelf. The royal adviser couldn’t contain a shiver as a breath ghosted past his ear in an annoyed sigh.

“You’re late,” a voice grumbled from behind Gunter sending vibrations along his spine.

“Mmm am I?” Gunter subtly leaned back to rest some of his weight on the man behind him.

“As you always are when Heika returns,” the hints of resentment laced in the man’s voice left Gunter struggling to keep a wicked smirk off his face.

“Is that so? I hadn’t noticed,” Gunter twisted his body to face the one holding on to him, “Perhaps jealousy runs in your family Lord Voltaire?” Instead of the expected scowl Gunter was greeted with the face of a smirking Gwendal.

“Perphaps is does, but then again knowing the wicked things you’d do to Heika given the chance who would blame me?” One of Gwendal’s hands slipped a bit to rest on the lowest part of Gunter’s back.

“Would you prefer I did such wicked things to you then?” Gunter rarely got to see this playful side of Gwendal and intended to exploit it fully and hope the more stoic man forgot all about the reason for their meeting. He wrapped his arms around Gwendal’s neck and pulled their bodies closer together.

“Hum …I think being your commanding officer I’d order you to.” Gwendal grinned as he lowered his lips to the pair slightly lower than his own. A deep groan came from Gunter as their mouths met sweetly. A few passes of a moist tongue had the older Mazoku opening his lips invitingly. Gwendal’s hand slid even lower to cup Gunter’s ass. Their tongues danced gently, neither man looking to over power the other. Graceful fingers threaded their way into dark grey hair as the kiss continued. The two were well accustomed to the other’s desires and skill. Their lips separated slightly, each drawing air in a bit more desperately than they had been before.

“Well well if this is the reaction I get for staying late with Heika I may have to do so more often.” Gunter’s eyes opened slowly taking in the satisfied look of his lover’s face.

“Humph if you spend much more time with him than you already do I imagine Wolfram would have your head on a platter, and I have no desire to kiss a dead man.” Despite knowing that Gunter had no real ambitions toward the Maou Gwendal couldn’t help but feel the stirrings of jealousy when ever the older man mentioned Yuri in a less than proper manner.

“Well then I’ll just have to make sure I stay alive then, as I fully intend to receive your kisses for a very long time to come.” The faint blush that rose to Gwendal’s face amused the adviser greatly. He was one of the few people able to evoke a reaction out of the army commander, and the only one able to make him blush with so few words.

“You’ll have to stay away from Heika then. It’s been quite a while since Wolfram’s last rage. I imagine he’s about ready to blow up.” Gwendal was slowly becoming somewhat suspicious of Gunter’s actions. The lavender haired man rarely allowed himself to be held for long outside of a bedroom unless there was some sort of trouble brewing.

“Mmm perhaps,” seeing the lines forming between Gwendal’s brows Gunter sighed loudly and took a step backward. Gwendal’s hands retreated slowly from his body before the adviser continued speaking, “I’m afraid he is going to get a prime chance to vent his anger soon, but I won’t be the target.” Gwendal made a questioning noise and raised one eyebrow indicating that Gunter should elaborate. Gunter ignored the quandary and turned to make sure the lock on his door was properly latched, it was of course he couldn’t imagine his lover making such a bold move if there was any chance that someone could walk in on them.

“Gunter what are you on about? Who will be the target of my brother’s anger?” Given that the advisor’s straight forward nature was one of the features that drew Gwendal to him this avoidance was worrisome.

“Heika asked me about breaking engagements today,” the swift intact of air that followed Gunter’s words was the closest Gwendal got to a shocked gasp. “I doubt it will happen today but soon Heika will cancel the engagement.”

“…Shit.”

“So eloquent as always. It isn’t going to be a pretty sight. I doubt the whole thing will go over with out some fireworks but maybe we can help ease the transition some. I was going to suggest we get Lord Weller to speak to Heika about using a bit more tact than normal when he does it. The last thing we need is Lord Bielefeld frying Heika.”

“Shit.” Gwendal seemed to be glowering at a small stack of books on the floor as he listened to Gunter.

“…Not the reaction I was expecting.” A worried expression came over the advisor’s face as he looked at his lover. It was rare to hear Gwendal curse and even rarer still for the stoic Mazoku to repeat himself.

“Shit, shit, and double shit. I can not believe that he’s going to toss Wolfram aside like that.” The slight vibrations in the room alerted Gunter to just how angry Gwendal was becoming. It had been years since the younger Mazoku had let his Maryoku slip out unconsciously.

“What I can’t believe is that you are getting so worked up about this.”

“Gunter! He’s planning to break my baby brother’s heart what’s not to get worked up about?!” A few piles of books toppled over as Gwendal’s earth Maryoku bleed out while he spoke.

“Stop acting like a child!” the slight shaking came to a halt as Gunter shouted, “Yes he is your brother but he is hardly a baby. He’s nearing ninety years of age. I’m quite sure he’s been aware of this possibility from the start. He’ll be hurt for a while but as they say time heals all wounds. We need to focus on making sure Covenant Castle and Shin Makoku as a whole is prepared for this change. As soon as the news breaks we are going to be over run with nobles, aristocrats, and allied nations offering their sons and daughters as potential suitors for Heika. Lord Bielefeld was considered such a suitable match that very few dared to think about courting Heika. There’s no telling how the rest of the family heads are going to take the news. They may well be offended that Heika sees the Mazoku they would have had rule them as unfit to marry.”

“If it’s going to cause so many problems why didn’t you just attempt to convince Heika to stay with Wolfram?” Gwendal’s anger had calmed some but he was still irate that Gunter was being so callused about Wolfram’s feelings.

“You would have your brother stuck in a loveless political marriage? You know as well as I do once Heika makes up his mind it is nearly impossible to change it. He’s finally decided that he does not want to marry Lord Bielefeld. Forcing the two together would only cause resentment with in Heika,” Gunter noticed Gwendal’s shoulders drooping slightly, a sure sign he had let go of his anger, “Plus you never know maybe the lack of a fiancé might make him miss Little Lord Brat, that or he might just realize what a drop dead gorgeous adviser he has and run off with me.”

“If he tries to run off with you after leaving Wolfram I’d be forced to kill him twice,” the dark hair man sighed, “I’ll send for Conrart to join us, I fear it’s going to be a long night.” Gunter nodded solemnly as he moved toward the door to inform a servant to fetch the second of Celi’s sons. They had much to discuss before the night was out.

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AN: Bit of a side chapter explaining what how some of the other characters are reacting. Well that and a present to my Gwendal loving beta. She’s got a thing for our dear Gwen-y. Also thank you to everybody who reviewed!!! I'm horrible at responding to reviews but they really kept me going when I'm feeling uninspired!!