As the next day started, nobles and guests all went to their seats. Some were chatting with one another, while others were silent and reserved.

Gwendal, Conrart, and Gunter were at the front of the room. They watched over Ulrike who was concentrating her maryoku on her crystal ball.

Yozak was outside, relaying Conrart's orders to some of the soldiers about security.

It is, after all, known throughout the kingdom that almost every country leader is at the castle. The rumor going around is that they are having a meeting involving the treaty.

Murata walked into the room — and upon closer inspection, looked like hell. He stayed up pretty late the night before, with a few certain nobles and guests in the dining room to discuss Yuuri. He knew how much they all cared for her, but he couldn't help but smile at how much they all actually loved her. Their concern for her wellbeing on Earth was touching. especially knowing how much Yuuri would feel the same concern for them if it was the other way around.

He glanced around the room and saw Lady Flynn walk in with her butler, her appearance fresh. Any fatigue she might have gotten from the night before was unnoticeable. Sara walked in with Berias, and looking just like Lady Flynn, but when does he not look perfect? Considering how much the man drank the night before, his appearance this early in the morning is impressive. Lord Heathcriffe, Alford, and Adalbert all walked in at once, looking no better than Murata. This kind of gave Murata a bout of relief. Still, it wouldn't hurt to learn some of Sara's secrets.

After everyone settled inside the room, Murata stepped to the front of the room and stood beside Ulrike. "All right everyone!" He clapped his hands together. "Now, I'm sure you've noticed that we're starting a bit later today compared to yesterday," people nodded at him, whereas some were indifferent. "Well, from now on, we will be starting now.

"The reason for this is because yesterday, I thought we could see Yuuri get up and ready. Now that we have, I guess it's better to skip it." His audience nodded to themselves, noting how Murata's decision made sense.

"Your Eminence, it's ready." Everyone turned to the screen to see Ulrike over her crystal ball, showing us images of Yuuri in the other world.

Yuuri stepped out of her bedroom, her school bag in one hand. She went to the kitchen to see that, exactly like the day before, she was the first one downstairs. Well, other than her mother who was cooking.

"Good morning, Yuu-chan!"

"Morning, mom." She sent Yuuri a glare and Yuuri sighed.

"Morning, mama," Miko scolded.

She rolled her eyes, stepping into the kitchen and picking up the now ready plates of food. She carried them to the dining table. Miko grinned, aware of the small smile Yuuri tries not to show whenever she scolds her to call her, "mama". Before leaving the kitchen to go to the dining room, Yuuri stopped and gave her mother a kiss "good morning" and left. Miko smiled at herself. She turned off the stove and followed her daughter into the dining room.

Saralegui watched the interaction between Yuuri and her mother. It's only been a few months since he found out who his mother was and had begun to spend time with her. Yet he couldn't help but compare Yuuri and her mother's relationship to that of his own with his mother.

Alazon has been living with Saralegui and Berias in Small Shimaron. They were trying to make up for lost time, but the both of them can't help but feel awkward with each other. Don't get him wrong, Sara knows his mother loves him, and he knows that he loves his mother. He just hates that Yuuri and her mother are so comfortable with each other that they can show their love for each other so openly. Whereas he and his mother could barely start a conversation with each other that isn't small talk.

The Night Before in Sara's POV

Murata, Gwendal, Wolfram, and Conrart all led us, who had more questions about Yuuri, to the dining room. I suspect the privacy is because our questions are more private. Gunter separated from them to fetch for a maid to cater to us.

Upon reaching the dining room, Murata gestured to the round table at the center of the room. "Everyone, please, take a seat."

Berias went ahead of me and pulled out a seat for me. The rogue swordsman — or "hero" as Yuuri likes to call him, did the same for Lady Flynn before sitting beside her. His name was "Alfred", I believe. I glanced at Murata who sent me a knowing glance where we both realized we were thinking about the same thing.

Everyone else sat down as Gunter and a maid wearing a red dress with a cart came into the room. The maid asked us what we would like to drink. Everyone, except for Lady Flynn, agreed to have some scotch. Lady Flynn had a glass of wine.

"Doria, how many bottles of wine and scotch are in the cart?"

"Just the one bottle for the wine, but as for the scotch, there are three and a half bottles here."

"A half?" Gwendal inquired, "why is that?"

A cough from the other side of the table got all our attention. We turned to see Wolfram looking sheepish.

"My apologies," he blushed, "the truth is, sometimes when Yuuri or I can't sleep, we go down to the cellars and have a drink or two. I am afraid that must have been our leftovers from the day before Yuuri left for Earth."

"Heh, couldn't sleep because you didn't want to get separated from each other, huh?" The rogue Demon, Adalbert, grunted.

"I'd make a comeback, but I don't want to see a grown man cry," Wolfram muttered.

Adalbert, faintly hearing what he said, turned to the younger blonde. "Whaddya say, brat?"

"Enough," Conrart stepped in, putting a halt to their argument. "Wolfram, control yourself." Wolfram grumbled but nodded his head.

The maid had just finished pouring everyone their drinks before excusing herself. She left the cart full of bottles with us. Lord Weller promised he would return it to the kitchen as soon as they finished.

"Well, now that everyone has their poison," His Eminence winked, "why don't you all start with the questions?" Then he turned to me, "would you like to go first, Saralegui?"

I nodded, taking a sip of my scotch. "Yes, thank you." I put the glass down and turned to him. "Yuuri and her mother… they are close, yes?"

His Eminence nodded. "To an extent, yes. Yuuri prefers not to be too open to her mother. She tells her about things that happen in school and things that happen here in the Great Demon Kingdom. But only when someone asks her.

"On most occasions, such as things that happen with her and Wolfram..." He sent the blonde in question a wink and got a huff as a reply. "She prefers to say it to someone her age, like me. But, before she became queen, she would go to her female friends from Earth to speak about boys from the other world."

That got Wolfram's attention. "She showed interest in other boys?"

"She might have been oblivious towards her feelings towards you, but she is still a woman. She was still attracted to men. And though they aren't as attractive as any of us," he smirked at all the men in the room, who rolled their eyes. "There were still quite a few handsome men who caught her eye."

"If I'm more attractive than them, then why didn't I catch her eye?"

"Oh, you did — that is until you opened your mouth and called her a wimp and turned out to be a spoiled brat."

That shut him up.

I pursed my lips and faced Murata again. "How did she get to be so close with her mother to begin with?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Miko-san is the type of mother to dote on her children. I guess she was always there for both Shibuya and her brother. Even to this day, as you saw, Miko-san basically treats her children like… children. And even though Yuuri pulls away from her, Miko-san always finds a way to push herself back into the picture."

He knows his mother loves him, but he wouldn't mind a hug, or constant pestering about trivial things such as whether he's eaten or not.

Watching Yuuri and her mother brings out a feeling of longing in him. He wants to feel his mother hug him when he needs comfort. He wants to hear her advice when he is making a decision about ruling his kingdom. He wants someone to defend him when someone gets in his way even if he is capable of defending himself. All he wants is a mother.

Once she placed the serving plates on the table, Yuuri and her mother sat down at their usual places. She turned over her plate and started getting some food from the serving plates in front of her.

Miko sat and watched her daughter quietly. Yuuri knew she was waiting for her father to come down, knowing that the both of them like having their meals together. If she didn't have to go to school, she would do the same.

As Yuuri ate, Miko couldn't help but watch Yuuri, thinking about how grown up she is. She hasn't heard much news about her relationship with Wolfram either, and now might be a good time to question her.

"So, Yuu-chan…" She got a "hmm?" in response, as Yuuri's mouth was full. "Have you and Wolfram released some of that sexual tension yet?"

Yuuri choked on her food.

Wolfram, who was sitting with his brothers, received sly looks from most of the men around the room. The women, on the other hand, either glared or rolled their eyes. He slumped in his chair, pouting. "I will say nothing."

Gwendal grunted in approval, "Good."

Once Yuuri had stopped coughing up her food, she stared at her mother, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. "Mom!?"

"I mean, you guys are engaged, aren't you? The both of you always seem to argue, which is usually caused by sexual tension."

Murata and Yozak were leaning on each other for support, as they both couldn't breath.

"This is gold!" Murata managed to gasp out.

"Mom… why are you asking me this?"

"You rarely tell me anything, Yuu-chan! And as you said, Ken-chan is still in the other world. I can't exactly ask him to tell me about what's been happening with you when you're there, or even here on Earth."

"Hold up, are you telling me, that you ask Murata stuff about me, and he actually tells you?"

"Yes," Miko smiled.

Yuuri propped her elbows up on the table and placed her head in her hands, massaging her forehead.

"Okay… so for the sake of Murata not twisting the actual events around, what do you want to know?"

Miko cheered and clapped her hands. She moved a seat closer to Yuuri and grinned at her daughter. "Have you and Wolfram had sex yet?"

Yuuri thought she was going to die.

"Yes…"

"YES!" Miko cheered and clapped her hands again, pulling her daughter in for a hug. "My little girl isn't a virgin anymore!"

"YOU DO KNOW THAT MOST MOTHERS WOULD BE HORRIFIED, RIGHT?"

"But you know I'm not like most mothers!" Miko pouted. "So, how did it happen? Was it a romantic moment between you two? You both share a bedroom, right? Did it happen one night when the sexual tension was too high?"

"What makes you think we didn't talk about our feelings first before having sex?"

"Because the both of you are the type of people to act before actually thinking."

Yuuri shook her head and turned away. "I have no words…"

"You can start by telling me the whole story."

Yuuri glanced at the clock on the wall. If she didn't leave now, she would definitely be late for school. She took one more bite of food and stood up, "Look, mom, I'll tell you later when I come home from school, okay? I still have time to get to school if I pick up my pace." She kissed her mom on the cheek, grabbed her school bag. As she headed towards the door, both her dad and her brother were heading down the stairs.

"Yuu-chan, you're still here? You're gonna be late!"

She put her hand on the doorknob. "I know, Shouri, I'm already leaving!" She opened the door yelling, "Itarasai!"

"They are a very close family, aren't they?" one of the foreign nobles asked.

"That they are," Murata smiled.

"Wait, I'm sorry," Yozak smirked at Murata, "but did Her Majesty's mother just call you 'Ken-chan'?"

"What?" His eyes were wide, so wide that he almost looked like a child. "Mama-san and I have a pretty close relationship. She practically thinks of me as another daughter! I even have my own apron for when I help her cook whenever I'm over at her house!"

"… wait, you have an apron?" Yozak could not hide his grins.

"Yeah, it's pink and frilly and has a red heart stitched on it…" Yozak blinked. "BUT THAT APRON WAS ORIGINALLY FOR YUURI, OKAY? SHE DIDN'T WANT IT AND MAMA-SAN DIDN'T WANT IT TO GO TO WASTE SO SHE GAVE IT TO ME AND I DIDN'T WANT TO BE RUDE SO I USE IT, OKAY?"

"You do know that nothing you're saying is making your situation any better, right?"

Up on the beams, a silent figure was trying his best to not have a nosebleed over the image of Murata wearing said apron… only said apron.

She went her usual route to school on her bike. On her way, she passed by the park and took a glimpse at the bully trio who were lounging around one of the benches. They were drinking what seems to be cans of beer and smoking cigarettes. She shook her head and ignored them, keeping track on her way to school.

Murata had to explain you're only allowed to start drinking once you're eighteen. Most teenagers could be allowed to drink when their parents are around. Although, it is common for teenagers to sneak around and do so anyway. He also admitted that he and Yuuri are not rule followers and would sneak in a drink every now and then while on Earth. He especially during the rare parties he would be able to sneak into. Yuuri was never fond of parties and so would stay home and wait for Murata's call to tell her he was ready to go. Or if he wouldn't call at all, she'd go there herself and drag him home. It was then he joked that dealing with a drunk version of himself might be how she is able to deal with a clingy Gunter.

Yozak and some of the few others who witnessed Gunter's clinginess to Yuuri, sputtered out a laug. Whilst a few others, Gwendal included, only shook their heads at his embarrassment.

Gunter was ashamed and only held his head in his hands as a response.

Murata also explained what a cigarette is. And how it's not exactly something bad, just harmful to a person's health, if done constantly.

"How do you know Her Majesty has never actually done such a thing? You did mention yourself that you don't know much about her since you both go to different schools."

Murata turned to the noble who spoke and saw he was a human. He gave him his sinister glance and replied, "That's why I suggested we do this little activity…"

Yuuri arrived in her classroom and greeted her friends, who all greeted her back. She put her bag down on her seat, and joined them in learning the latest gossip. A few minutes later, their teacher, Kudo-sensei walked in. "All right, class, I do hope you completed your reading assignments."

Every single student's hearts dropped to the floor.

"I'm kidding."

Yuuri leaned over the table nearest her and let her body collapse in relief. And also to let her heart rate go back to normal. She may slack off sometimes, but she's pretty sure Kudo-sensei didn't give them a reading assignment.

Class and the rest of the school day went on as usual. During lunch, she decided to join her classmates in the cafeteria. She knew they would follow her to the rooftop anyway, had she chosen to eat there.

They chatted and caught up with each other. A lot of their questions were about Yuuri and her relationship with Wolfram. She sated their curiosity as much as she could without giving too much information. She chose her words carefully, editing the stories a bit to make it more relatable. She couldn't exactly tell them she's the reigning monarch in a whole other dimension.

During lunch, Itsuma approached their table and stood near Yuuri.

"So, Shibuya," he started, "Are we going to get to meet this new boy toy of yours?"

Yuuri stiffened. She put back a mask on her face and raised an eyebrow at him. "Why? You want to meet him?"

He shrugged, moving to put an arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, I mean, if you're going to go out with this guy and not me, it would be nice to see my competition."

Yuuri laughed. "Nah, I think it's best for you not to meet him."

"Why's that?"

"Your ego would only deflate."

"Oooh's" and "Oh shit's" echoed around the room. Most of which were from the guys and the other girls Yuuri knows Itsuma also hits on. Because, just like Yuuri, they don't give him the time of day as well. Though Itsuma's fangirls shot daggers at Yuuri, even though some of them are her friends.

Itsuma himself was stunned for a moment, before forcing out a smirk. "Maybe you don't want me to meet him because he doesn't exist," he sneers.

"I don't need to prove myself to you," She shrugs back.

"Whatever, Shibuya. But until I actually see him, I'm not gonna stop bothering you, nor am I gonna even believe that he's real." He walks out of the cafeteria, his goons following after him.

"I am going to murder someone…" Wolfram growled. Conrart and Gwendal were right behind him, ready to hold him down if he does anything. "Who the hell does that bastard think he is? Hitting on my fiancee?"

"Well, Wolfram, you can't blame him." Gunter pointed out. "He's interested in Her Majesty, and I guess he doesn't want to give up on her. You would do the same thing if you were in his shoes, wouldn't you?"

"Gunter, don't you see it? All he wants is to get in her pants!" Wolfram yells.

"I have to agree with Wolfram on this, Gunter." Murata stepped in. "Itsuma is well known for how he treats girls. If Yuuri wasn't as smart as she was, we don't know what he would've done to her."

When Yuuri went back to class, she felt daggers pointed towards her back. She knows that her actions and words against Itsuma were what caused this. She shook her head at the immaturity of her "friends" and went back to her seat.

"This is why I prefer the other world," she sighed.

"Is she sad? Is Her Majesty sad? YOUR MAJESTYYYYYY! YOUR LOYAL GUNTER IS COMING FOR YOU!"

"Sit down, Lord von Christ!" Gwendal pulled the lavender-haired man down back into his seat.

"But Gwendal! Her Majesty is sad! We can't let her be sad! Wolfram!" He turned to the blonde who focused on watching his fiancee. "How could you sit there and let people ridicule her that way?"

"Are you kidding me, Gunter? I would love to throw fireballs at those dumbasses, but unfortunately, I can't! So shut it."

Gunter was about to argue again, but Gwendal shot him down with a glare.

Yuuri closed the door behind her as she got home. "Mom! I'm back!" She goes up to her room. She opens the door and turns on the light. She looks at her room and nearly gets a heart attack when she finds her mother waiting for her on the bed.

"GOD DAMN IT, MOM!" She leaned against the door frame with her hand to her heart. "I swear, if people are going to keep shocking the living shit out of me today, I'm gonna have a heart attack." She straightened herself out and faced her bed, where her mother was sitting on the edge of. "What do you want, mom?"

"You said you were going to tell me about your relationship with Wolfram." She pouted.

Yuuri rubbed her temples and sat down on the bed beside her mom. "Fine… fine!" She made herself comfortable on the bed. "What do you want to know?"

"How did you two get together?"

She told her mother about how she and Wolfram were getting on nicely, even though she didn't notice anything romantic. They were simply just… friends. She told her about what happened up to the point Sara's letter arrived.

Flashback

It was one of those rare days when Gunter ended Yuuri's lessons early. Greta, however, was not spared. Yuuri tried to get her out of her lessons too, but Gunter refused. And Greta didn't want Yuuri to suffer in her stead, so she told Wolfram to take her before she changed her mind and decided to continue with her lessons.

They were both walking around the garden when an idea popped into Wolfram's head.

"Yuuri?" He had her face him. "Wanna go out for a ride?"

She smiled. "Sure."

Not thinking about it, Yuuri looped her hand through Wolfram's arm and rested it on the crook of his elbow. They smiled at each other, and Wolfram led her to the stables. He resisted the urge to lace his fingers with hers, thinking she would only pull away from him.

When they reached the stables, Wolfram and Yuuri saddled their horses… or at least, Yuuri tried to. When he noticed Yuuri was having difficulty, he finished his as swiftly and securely as he could and went over to help her.

"You are such a wimp," he grinned.

"I am not!"

"How long have you been riding Ao, and up to now, you still don't know how to saddle him?" He asked while he saddled Ao.

"Oh, shut up."

After a few minutes, he was done. He knew she was capable of getting up on Ao, on her own, but he still helped her anyway.

"Thank you," she mumbled.

He got up on his own horse and asked her if she was ready. When she nodded her head, he led them out. They passed Dorcascos on their way out and asked him to inform the others that they went out for a ride.

A group of soldiers tried to go with them for Yuuri's protection, but told them they would be fine and that Wolfram could protect her.

As they galloped away, Yuuri realized that she always trusted Wolfram. Even all the way back to when she practically begged him to take her to the burning village. She trusted him to protect her, even though he sort of tried to kill her in a duel.

They went their usual routes, and since they didn't bother with disguises, were easily recognized by the townspeople — which is completely out of protocol. Adults waved at them as they passed, and children ran up to them, asking Yuuri if she could come and play.

She gently declined and promised them that next time she visits, she'll bring Greta and Morgif along so they could all play, and Morgif can entertain the children.

They went past the kingdom gates and grazed around a bit at the nearby lake. They got off, and Wolfram tethered both their horses to a tree, but with a rope long enough for them to graze around in the grass and to reach the lake to drink water.

Yuuri leaned back on the trunk of a tree, and Wolfram sat beside her.

"We should do this more often," he remarked.

"Yeah, that would be nice. We could bring food and a blanket, and just relax."

"Mhmm…" he trailed off.

Yuuri glanced at him, noticing his eyes were starting to get droopy. "If you're tired, you can lie your head on my lap."

"No, Yuuri, it's all right—"

"Please, Wolfram? I don't mind. Besides, you're always letting me sleep on you. How about I return the favor this time?"

"All right…"

He adjusted his position and laid his head on her lap. She moved his bangs back, rubbing his temples. "Are you comfortable?"

"Your thighs are soft…"

"I'll take that as a yes."

She continuously combed his hair, letting him drift off to sleep. A little while later, she heard his soft breathing and glanced down at him with a smile. She was met with a calm and relaxed face. She bent down and pressed a kiss to his forehead, careful not to wake him up.

After that, she leaned back on the tree and stared off into the beauty that was her kingdom, waiting for her prince to wake up.

The both of them went out on rides alone together regularly after that. Sometimes they brought Greta along with them, and sometimes they didn't.

One day, when they brought Greta with them, Yuuri leaned back on the usual tree and held Greta in her lap. She softly ran her fingers through the little girl's hair, and hummed a calm tune. Moments later, she started singing:

"Come stop your crying

It will be alright

Just take my hand

Hold it tight

I will protect you

From all around you

I will be here

Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart

Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on

Now and forever more"

When she ended the song, she heard Wolfram stifle a chuckle. "She's asleep."

"Yeah…" Yuuri smiled. "I think it's time we go back to the castle?"

Wolfram agreed. "Let me ready the horses and then I'll take her." Yuuri nodded. Wolfram unhitched the horses and walked back to the two girls. He placed a hand around Greta's shoulders, and his other hand under her knees and lifted her. Yuuri packed up their picnic basket and brought it to Ao, her horse. She walked towards Wolfram, lifted Greta for a moment to let Wolfram up his horse, and then handing her to him for the ride back.

When they got back to the castle, Dorcascos and Gunter were waiting for them in front of the castle steps. Upon seeing them, Yuuri and Wolfram glanced towards each other. They were used to Dorcascos waiting for them to bring their horses to the stables, but what was unusual was seeing Gunter there.

Yuuri got off her horse, and Gunter took Greta so Wolfram could get down. Once he got down, Greta was returned to him.

"Gunter, is there something wrong?" Yuuri asked.

"A letter has arrived for you, Your Majesty?"

"From who?"

Gunter was silent for a moment. "I think it's best we discuss this in your office, Your Majesty."

She turned to Wolfram, worriedly. "I'll bring Greta to her room, and then I'll meet you in your office." Then he walked away.

Everyone arrived in Yuuri's office, Wolfram being the last one to arrive as he came from Greta's bedroom.

"Now that we're all here…" Yuuri started, scanning the faces of everyone in the room. "Who is this letter from?"

"Actually, Your Majesty, there are two letters, both from King Saralegui."

At first it was lost to Yuuri as to why Gunter had to wait until everyone was in her office, then she turned towards Wolfram who looked like he was about to throw a fireball. Conrart grabbed his brother's arm right away before he could do anything dangerous to anyone present.

"What are the letters about, Gunter?" Gwendal asked.

"Well this letter is a thank you letter…" he cleared his throat and read the letter to all of them out loud. Just as he described, it really was a thank you letter. When he finished, Yuuri stared at him.

"If that's all it was, why did you have to discuss this in private?"

Gunter stared at the parcel for a moment. "The thing is, the second letter is indicated to be for your eyes only, Your Majesty." He handed her the second letter and she took it from him, feeling all eyes on her. She opened it up and read it. Everyone watched her as she silently read it to herself, their curiosity growing as her eyes widened until she finished reading the letter. She folded up the letter and closed it to her chest, her cheeks red and her eyes still wide.

"What does it say, Your Majesty?" Gwendal asked.

"I… I can't say…"

They were all shocked. Theories ran through each of their heads as to why Yuuri wouldn't let them read it, or at least tell them what it was about. They all had one suspicion that seemed to match her reaction, but everyone was too scared to say it… everyone except Wolfram.

"It's a love letter, isn't it?" He growled.

Yuuri rolled her eyes. "Is that really all you can think about?"

"Maybe you could tell us, so I wouldn't have to speculate." He tried grabbing the letter from her, but she was fast and she moved away from him.

"Don't I get to choose who reads it and who doesn't?" She got no reply, other than Wolfram trying another grab. Not wanting to risk him actually getting it, she tucked the letter into her bra, giving the men a peek of her cleavage. Wolfram stopped himself mid grab when he realized just what it was he was about to do. Yuuri gave him a taunting glare. "Continue, and I'll attack you with a water serpent."

Wolfram stepped back, knowing that even though Yuuri wasn't a violent person by nature and only used her powers when she's angry, he's sure that touching her private parts would certainly anger her — accident or not.

She calmed herself down and stepped out of the office, taking the letter with her.

"What was that all about?" Gwendal asked.

"I'm not sure," Conrart answered. "But I think I know someone who can find out."

Conrart, Wolfram, and Yozak, who they met in the stables, snuck off to the Tomb of the Great One in order to talk to the Great Sage.

After some persuasion — mostly from Gisela who came to their aid, the female warriors allowed the three of them to enter. They met up with him by the fountain in the middle of the Tomb.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"We need to ask you of something, Your Eminence. This favor will benefit you to?" Yozak grinned.

"Oh?"

Conrart explained the situation to him, which even caught the Sage by surprise. "I see… I'll stop by for dinner this evening and try to get it out of her."

That evening, Ken "surprised" them for dinner. He joined them for the meal, and afterwards, asked Yuuri to her office to update her on what's been happening around the kingdom, what was the latest gossip in the castle, stuff like that. But secretly, he was going to find a way to wheedle details about the note out of her.

Surprisingly, it wasn't that hard. The moment they stepped into the room, Yuuri shoved the letter in his face and shuffled back and forth as she waited anxiously for him to finish reading it.

"Oh my gods…" Murata stared at Yuuri as she continued to pace around the room. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"You do love him, don't you?"

"Well, I have been feeling differently towards him these past few weeks…"

"And?"

"And it is most definitely a possibility — I mean, he has been a lot more gentle with me, my heart skips a beat every time I see him, and I always feel safe when he's around…" Yuuri paused and turned to Murata. "Oh my gods, I do love him." Yuuri sought for couch's armrest for support and sat down.

"And?"

"And I love him. I fucking love that blonde brat."

"And?"

"And what, Murata?"

"What are you going to do about it?"

"I… I don't know. Probably not say anything about it."

"Are you kidding me?"

"What?"

"Wolfram has been in love with you for years! You're not going to tell him that you're in love with him?"

"Well, I won't do or say anything about it for now, see where this goes, maybe I'll do something when I'm ready? I don't know."

"Wow. You really are a wimp." Yuuri was about to object when he interrupted her. "But unfortunately, I'll respect your wishes. But if I feel like you've gone too far or too long not saying anything, I will step in." With that, he left the room and goes to Gwendal's office where the men said to meet them after meeting with Yuuri.

He enters the office and slams the door, startling Gwendal, Gunter, Conrart, Yozak, and Wolfram.

"Well?" Wolfram asks. "Is it a love letter like what I thought?"

Murata shook his head. "Don't worry it's nothing bad. But it is personal, and I promised Yuuri I wouldn't tell anyone anything about it."

"WHAT?"

"I'm sorry, everyone, but this is something Yuuri has to deal with herself when she's ready."

With that he leaves the room. The next day was when Yuuri's weird behavior started.

From there, Yuuri described what happened during the next few weeks, leading up to when Murata finally got fed up and revealed the truth to everyone else, she and Wolfram finally starting their courtship, and what has happened between them since.

Miko jumped up and squealed. She took Yuuri into her arms and pressed their cheeks together. "Oh, my darling daughter — in love! With a prince no less! Well, an ex-prince, but you get the point!"

"Okay, mom. Calm down, please?" Miko let go of Yuuri and pulled away, but her big smile never drifted from her face. "I'm glad you're happy for me, but it would be nice if you toned it down a bit?"

"But Yuu-chan, I'm only expressing my happiness for you!" Miko cried.

"I get that, mom, but it would be nice if you just weren't so over-excited all the time…"

Miko stared at her daughter critically. "Does it make you uncomfortable?" Yuuri nodded. Miko sighed. "All right, I promise to turn it down."

"Do you also promise not to listen to Murata's stories about me all the time?"

Miko rolled her eyes but nodded in the end. She smiled at Yuuri and they both pulled each other in for a hug.

"Ooh's" and "oh dear's" echoed around the room as they watched Yuuri's mother crossed her fingers behind her back, away from Yuuri's eyes.

"I love you, Mama-san!" Murata cried.

"That was really how you two got together?" Waltorana asked.

Wolfram nodded. "Yeah… kind of a mess, isn't it?"

Waltorana shook his head. "It wouldn't be you two if it wasn't a mess."

Wolfram laughed. "You're right, Uncle." he watched as Yuuri pulled away from her mother and they both started working on dinner. "You're right."

DISCLAIMER

The song Yuuri sings and hums to Wolfram "You'll Be Here In My Heart" by Phil Collins