Sadly this might be my last quick update. Today is my last day of vacation before school starts up again, so chapter might take a little longer to be posted because homework has to come before any fanfiction writing. Also, some of you may have noticed that I've changed the rating for this fic; this is because when I started thinking about what will happen in later chapters, I thought I should it to be safe.

I re-uploaded this chapter because I realized that a small part of dialogue didn't make sense when I reread this yesterday. I have to stop writing these things so late at night. Please review, but more importantly, enjoy the story!

"A party?" Questioned Yuuri, setting his quill down onto the large wooden tables of the castle library. Maou, sitting next to him, also stopped writing to listen. It was the day after Maou had appeared. Yuuri and Maou were currently in the middle of an lesson from Günter. Despite Yuuri's suggestion that they skip it, Günter had insisted on it, stating that education was the best thing to do now. Surprisingly, Maou didn't seem keen on the idea of having to listen to one of Günter's lectures either. He had actually tried hiding from Günter in the garden, but while sneaking around a corner, ran into Yuuri who had been thinking the same thing. They scared each other half to death. Of course, Günter immediately found them afterwards. Try as they might, neither of them were able to get out of it.

"Yes. It seems he wishes to celebrate your fifth year as king." Said Gwendal. He sighed. "No doubt it's his usual scheme to get closer to you." Gwendal looked clearly annoyed. The party meant even more paper work on top of what he was already doing.

"Who's Stoffel?" Asked Maou, interested.

"Stoffel is one of the ten noble lords. He continues tries to put himself into your majesties good graces in order to gain influence in running the country." Explained Günter almost crying, yet sounding half disgusted. "He was once the regent for the previous Maou, but that not what important. Since the party is being held here, we're going to have to come up with a way to keep the fact that there are two of you hidden from the guests."

"That shouldn't be too hard." Said Yuuri. "I mean, most of the castle is off limits to guests anyway. One of us just needs to stay here while the party happens and everything will be fine."

Neither Günter or Gwendal looked reassured with that statement. They actually looked even more worried. "That's true," Günter said slowly, "but Stoffel and other nobles aren't restricted so much. And there will be important guests from foreign countries in attendance as well. They'll have to stay here both the night before and of the party."

"Oh." Said Yuuri. "Well, when are people supposed to start arriving?"

"In two days." Answered Gwendal. Günter

The door of the library opened and Wolfram walked in quickly. He looked very serious and immediately walked over to them.

"Wolfram? What's wrong?" Yuuri asked concerned.

"You! Come with me." Wolfram grabbed Maou by the arm, heaved him out of his chair. 'Stoffel has arrived early! He's here right now and is insisting on seeing you right now!" Wolfram said quickly, pointing at Yuuri as he pulled Maou towards to door of the library.

"Me? Right now?" Asked Yuuri. He stood up, almost tripping doing so. Günter and Gwendal looked shocked. Günter nearly dropped the book he had been reading from. Gwendal started pushing Yuuri to the door.

"You'll go greet Stoffel while Wolfram hides Maou in your room." Gwendal said sternly. Yuuri could only nod. "Wolfram, where is Stoffel waiting?"

"I believe Conrart is taking him to the throne room."

"Cut across the courtyard instead of going through the castle. The faster Maou is out of sight, the better."

Wolfram nodded his understanding and turned back to Maou. "Come on, lets g—" Wolfram fell quiet, finding the words getting lost as he stopped and stared at Maou. He was staring down at the floor, looking angry, yet also very sad. Maou didn't seemed to have noticed that Wolfram was no longer pulling him; instead, he was lost, deep in his own thoughts. Wolfram felt that maybe he ask what was wrong, but didn't get the chance to as Günter knocked both of them out of their thoughts by pushing them out of the library doors and down the hall, asking them what they were taking so long for.

Yuuri watched Wolfram and Maou headed down a separate hallway, still holding hands. He felt anger swell up inside him. He knew Wolfram was only holding Maou's hand to pull him along faster, but then why was he suddenly so irritated? He had been talking to and getting along with Maou just fine before Wolfram showed up. He thought about for it minute before deciding it was probably just the stressful situation that had just cropped up that was making him so. Once the party was over and Stoffel and all the guests left, everything would fine.

"Okay, so as soon as we get back to our room, I'm gonna have to leave again. I'll make sure to tell the maids to serve you dinner in there." Wolfram said as they crossed the courtyard, passing the many colorful flower planted there. "I'll be back as soon as Stoffel has retired for the night, okay?" Maou didn't answer, or made any indication that he had heard Wolfram at all. "Maou?" Wolfram tried again, but still he received no answer. He stopped. It was a few moments before Maou realized they weren't walking anymore and looked up.

"Sorry, what did you say?" He asked. Wolfram stared at him intently.

"Did you hear anything I just said?"

"No, not really." Maou stared at the ground once again. His bands made it hard for Wolfram to see his eyes.

Wolfram stared at him in surprise, and anger. Maou was acting like he didn't really care at all! Wolfram let go of the other's hand, which fell back to rest at his side. "Listen, we need you stay out of sight for the next couple of days, just untill Stoffel goes home and this whole party is over." Said Wolfram.

"Because I'm not important, right?" Maou said suddenly, looking up and staring at Wolfram. He looked angry, and almost like he was in pain.

"What?" Asked Wolfram, any annoyance he had felt seconds earlier were gone, replaced with confusion and worry. Maou opened his mouth to spark again, but he hesitated, thinking for a moment. Finally, he closed his eyes and just walked past Wolfram. "Hey, wait!" Wolfram turned around to run after him, but instead he bumped into Maou's back, falling backwards to the ground. He stood up again, brushing himself off. Maou didn't turn around though. He stood perfectly still and was completely silent as he stared ahead. Wolfram was really starting to worry. "Maou, why did you mean by—" Wolfram walked foreward to stand in front of Maou but stopped as he, too, saw what Maou was looking at. Standing in the shade of the castle overhanging was Conrad, who looked alarmed to see them. Standing next to him was tall, middle-aged man with blonde hair slicked back, a beard and purple eyes. Standing next to him was another man with black hair, most it too was pulled but a part of it fell to hand on the right side of his face. Maou didn't know who these men with Conrad were, but for some reason, he felt that their presence meant trouble. Catching a quick glance on Wolfram's face told him he was correct

"Ah, my king!" The blonde haired man said happily. "Heh heh, I hope we're not interrupting anything. A lover's quarrel, perhaps?" He started walking over to them, but he stopped halfway and his smile disappeared as he got a closer look at Maou. "You look a little...different today, heika."

Stoffel and Raven, not in the throne room as Wolfram had thought, had now seen Maou, and Wolfram could already the questioning expression forming on Stoffel's and Raven's faces as they stared at Maou. Wolfram looked at Conrad, but immediately hung his head to stare at the ground as he saw the disappointed look on his brother's face.

"That's strange," Said Yuuri as walked around the throne room. "He's not here. And neither is Conrad."

Gwendal stood by the door, his arms folded and wrinkles formed on his forehead while Günter stood in the middle of the room nervously. Getting a bad feeling, Gwendal exited the thorne room and stopped a maid passing by.

"Have you seen Lord von Spitzweg?"

"Lord von Spitzweg was restless after his long trip, so Sir Weller decided to take him out to the gardens to walk around a bit."

Günter and Yuuri peeked out of the throne room. "Did you find them?" Asked Yuuri as he walked up to Gwendal. He walked up to Gwendal as the maid looked slightly scared. "Um...Gwendal?" Suddenly Gwendal raced down the hallway, heading towards the garden.

"You and Günter stay in the throne room. Don't leave till I or Conrad shows up." He yelled over his shoulders. Yuuri and Günter looked at each other confused.

"Um, did I say some wrong?" The maid asked timidly.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure Gwendal is just going to check on something." Replied Yuuri as he closed the doors to the throne room.

Maou stared at Stoffel and Raven. Conrad, standing behind the two, pointed at Stoffel. Maou politely smiled as he got the message.

"I've just returned from a trip myself, so that may be why." Said Maou walking up to them.

"Ah...I see, then." Said Stoffel. He still looked a little surprised, but Wolfram thought that maybe he had brought the excuse. "Well, I'm glad to have finally found you. I was hoping I could talk to you about the party."

Conrad shook his head.

"Perhaps over dinner." Maou said. "I'm feeling tired so I would to lie down for a bit." He walked past Stoffel and Raven, followed by Wolfram after a second's hesitation.

"I-I see. Over dinner then."

As Wolfram pasted Conrad, he whispered: "I'm sorry."

Conrad smiled softly at him and patted his shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "It wasn't your fault." He whispered back. Walking in front of Stoffel and Raven, Conrad smiled brightly at them. "Would you like to greet mother while you're here? It's give you something to do till dinner."

"Actually," Stoffel said slowly, "I think I would like to rest for awhile as well."

"Very well." Conrad continued smiling at them but inside, he was worried.