Kyou Kara Maou Fan Fiction ❯ A Heart's Venture ❯ A Rose in the Sand ( Chapter 1 )

Summary: AU When Yuri's childhood friend Leoda, appears in Yuri's demon kingdom. Much confusion happens when she is seen as Yuri's true bride. Wolfram however isn't as welcoming as Conrad and the others. Yet her eyes are similar to Yuri's own dark eyes and her mahogany colored hair is a true mystery.

 

Leoda is a piece of his human home, that Gwendal, Conrad and Gunter see that truly brings happiness to their king. However what is the true reason she was brought to the demon kingdom? Was she truly brought there to be with Yuri? There are things about Leoda that Yuri is about to learn, and where is it that Leoda's heart truly lies?

 

Disclaimer: I hold no claim over the original characters from Kyo Kara Maoh

 

A/N: As of right now I do not have a beta for this story. Please let me know if you are interested.

 

Title: A Heart's Venture

 

Chapter 1: A Rose in the Sand

 

By TaintedDarkInuShemeeko

 

 

Sigh escaped Yuri's lips as he and his party journeyed through another desert. His now golden brown eyes gazed over at Gwendal, Günter, before stopping on Conrad. He was amazed that Celi had managed to make Wolfram stay home. Then again she was his mother and he did have a fever.

 

`I hope Wolfram is going to be alright, then again he is a demon, so I'm probably worrying over nothing.'

 

“Something wrong your highness, you seem deep in thought. If the heat is starting to get to you we can stop for a bit.”

 

The sound of Conrad's voice caught Yuri off guard causing him to jump in surprise.

 

“Huh…who me no I'm fine. I'm kind of getting use to the heat by now.”

 

A small laugh managed to make its way from inside of Yuri. Günter reined his horse to a stop beside of his king.

 

“Why of course the heat is getting to him. His fair skin is almost burnt to a crisp.”

 

Yuri then waved his hands in front of him.

 

“No, no I'm fine really I…”

 

His voice trailed off as he noticed something out in the sand.

 

“Hey, what is that out there? Do you guys see it?”

 

Without waiting for a reply Yuri took off to the strange mound out in the sand.

 

“YOUR HIGHNESS WAIT!”

 

“Your Majesty, where are you going.

 

Conrad and Gunter's words fell to deaf ears, as Yuri continued to ride his horse off into the distance.

 

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Yuri stopped his horse a few inches away from the still form. He then jumped suddenly from his horse. Yuri continued to stare at the young woman as Conrad, Günter and Gwendal all came to a stop next to him. Conrad was firm yet gentle with him as he spoke to the Demon King.

 

“Your highness, you really must be careful. This could have been a trap to capture you.”

 

Gwendal's words were much harsher then that of his brother's.

 

“For all we know this still is a trap.”

 

Yuri however refused to believe a word of what Conrad or Gwendal had just said to him. He shook his head in response as he answered them; Yuri then fell to his knee down on the sand.

 

“It can be a trap, it just can't be.”

 

Conrad's gentle honey brown eyes looked at Yuri in question, before deciding to answer him.

 

“Yuri what is it, what's wrong?”

 

Gwendal's gruff sounding voice was heard next.

 

“Just how does your highness know that this isn't a trap?”

 

In response to Gwendal's words, Yuri gently moved the woman of sixteen into his lap. Sand slid off of her soft skin as he moved her.

 

“I know Gwendal, because this girl goes to my school on earth.”

 

The three Lord's stared at their king in disbelief, Yuri however was the first to break the silence that had fell over them. His honey colored orbs looked up at Conrad and then Günter.

 

“Conrad, Günter, how is it possible for her to be here? I mean it's not like just any one can come here right.”

 

Conrad gave Yuri a small smile as he dismounted his horse.

 

“That's right Yuri; the great one is the only one who can let someone come through to here, or to go to Earth.”

 

Yuri then hung his head as he turned to address Günter and Gwendal.

 

“I'm guessing that the two of you are going to tell me that it would be a bad idea to take her back to Covenant Castle, aren't you.”

 

Günter however didn't get his chance to say anything before Gwendal spoke instead.

 

“I'm not that heartless you know.”

 

Gwendal then started to ride away from the others in the direction of the castle. Yuri just smiled as he looked at Conrad.

 

“Conrad you wouldn't mind carrying her on your horse with you, would you?”

 

Conrad gave a light smile as he took the girl from Yuri.

 

“Of course not your highness, it would be a honor”

 

Yuri grinned as his mounted his horse and then looked at Günter.

 

“Come on Günter let's go home.”

 

Both Günter and Conrad followed behind of Yuri, they were all a little curious to see just how their King knew the young woman.

 

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“All Wolfie sweet heart are you feeling any better now?”

 

Wolfram narrowed his eyes at his mother before speaking to her.

 

“Of course I feel fine, and if you hadn't made me stay here. I'd be with Yuri right now.”

 

However his body betrayed him as a cough escaped to the outside. Lady Celi then placed a hand on Wolfram's brow.

 

“All sweet'ums you still have a fever you should stay here in bed. You don't want to go and make King Yuri sick do you?”

 

She then smiled lightly at her son as she made her way to the door. Celcilie was sure she had heard horses arrive outside. Which only could mean one thing Yuri and the others had returned home.

 

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Yuri stood outside staring out at the setting sun, so many thing were rushing through his mind. There was one thing that he had come up with and that was that the Great One had been the one to send her here, the question was; why was she here? No matter how much he thought about it Yuri just couldn't think of a reason for her to be here.

 

`I know the reason why I'm here, I just can't figure out a reason for Leoda to be here too. It just doesn't make any sense.'

 

It had been just about five years when he had seen her last. He had been ten and she had just turned eleven. She had always been there for him, they had played ball together, and he had even watch her fence from time to time.

 

“So why did she end up here of all places?”

 

`Did she get pulled into this place because of me? Am I the reason she was brought here?'

 

“No way that's just impossible.”

 

“Are you all right Yuri?”

 

The young demon king was shaken out of his thoughts by the sound of Conrad's voice.

 

“Oh hey Conrad, it's you.”

 

Conrad looked over at Yuri with two concerned honey brown eyes. He could tell the minute he had seen him that he was deep in thought about something.

 

“You have something on your mind don't you?”

 

Yuri found himself laughing at Conrad's words.

 

“Is it that obvious?”

 

Conrart (Conrad) couldn't help but smile at Yuri's words.

 

“Just a little bit Sire.”

 

Yuri then sighed as he looked at Conrad, by now though he should be getting use to it.

 

“Conrad how many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me that you're my godfather for pete sake.”

 

“Sorry, Yuri I will try to keep that in mind when it is just the two of us. So what is it that you have on your mind? Is it the young woman we found out in the desert?”

 

Yuri knew that there was no lying to Conrad. His dark eyes however looked sad as he spoke.

 

“Boy there's no lying to you. You get it right every time Conrad.”

 

Conrad knew that some of his highness's worries were over whether or not the woman was all right.

 

“I spoke with Gwendal a little while ago, he told me that none of her wounds where serious. However her body was on the edge of being dehydrated.”

 

There was a sigh of relief that slipped from Yuri's lips at hearing this. He then smiled as he looked at Conrad.

 

“Oh well that's great news Conrad. One of the things I've been trying to figure out is how she ended up in this world.”

 

Conrad however decided to ask something that he wasn't sure how Yuri would answer, but he knew that in order to find out he would have to ask.

 

“Yuri you said that she went to school with you back on earth, correct?”

 

Yuri nodded his head in response.

 

“Yeah so what about it, I mean she and her father moved after she turned eleven. So it's been about five years I guess since I've even seen her.”

 

Yuri then noticed the seriousness on Conrad's face.

 

“What is it Conrad do you know something I don't?”

 

“Not really Sire, I just can't help but wonder if there is a reason that she was sent here. Perhaps the reason she is here is because of you.”

 

His words however caught Yuri off guard.

 

“What'll you mean?”

Conrad noticed how uneasy Yuri looked at hearing his words.

 

“Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying that you are the one who brought her here per say. I just find it strange that you know her and now she's here.”

 

There was no way for Yuri to stop the sigh that escaped his lips once more.

 

“You're right Conrad, but I just don't get it. Why would the Great One send Leoda here?”

 

Before Conrad got a chance to say anything in return to Yuri's words; the voice of a young girl interrupted them.

 

“Yuri, Yuri, your pretty lady friend has come to. Lord Günter also told me to tell you that Lady Marcella von Hilter is on her way here.”

 

Yuri smiled down at the little girl.

 

“Thanks Greta, why don't you go and see how Wolfram is doing.”

 

“Ok Yuri.”

 

Greta then smiled and giggled as she ran off to do as Yuri asked. Conrad however just smiled as he looked over at Yuri.

 

“You certainly have a way with children your Highness.”

 

Yuri's answer to Conrad's words was only done half heartily.

 

“Yeah I guess so. Well I guess I should get back inside. I'm just guessing Conrad but is Lady Marcella one of the ten aristocrats?”

 

Conrad continued to walk beside Yuri as he answered him.

 

“Yes, you would be correct Yuri. Lady Marcella is married to Lord Augustus von Hilter.

 

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Leoda was startled out of her sleep, by the same dream she had been having for the last year and a half. It had something to do with becoming one with the sun. The fact that it was a reoccurring dream worried Leoda to a point; she only wished that she could figure it out.

 

“Oh well no since in dwelling on it now. I wonder just where in the Demon World I am.”

“You're at Covenant Castle, Yuri brought you here. You've been asleep for a day and a half.”

 

Leoda turned and smiled at the young girl, she had short curly reddish brown hair and two beautiful brown eyes. She then kneeled down in front of the girl and bowed slightly.

 

“I'm Leoda and you are young lady?”

 

“My name is Greta; Leoda is a very pretty name. I've never met anyone with that name before.”

 

Leoda smiled at Greta once more as she spoke.

 

“Well you know I've never met anyone with the name Greta before either. So I guess that means that there must be something very special about us.”

 

This seemed to only make Greta smile more.

 

“So Greta is Yuri one of the guards here?”

 

Leoda's question only made Greta giggle more.

 

“No silly, Yuri is the new demon King here.”

 

Leoda gasped suddenly and then grew silent as Greta looked over at her in confusion.

 

“What's wrong Leoda did I say something bad?”

 

Leoda just shook her head at Greta, her long wavy mahogany colored hair bounced as she did so.

 

“No not at all Greta, that name just reminds me of some one I haven't seen in five long years that all.”

 

Leoda's dark eyes caught sight of several soldiers on horse back walking in front of and behind of a large coach being pulled by three large and beautiful white horses.

 

`Mother, so it was you who summoned me here. Even after you had told me that on my sixteen birthday, you would give me the right to choose. My birthday was six months ago and yet I find myself here, today.'

 

After asking Greta to help her look more presentable Leoda and Greta both went to go greet the new guests to Covenant Castle.

 

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“Presenting Lady Marcella von Hilter and her daughter Lady Sarafina von Hilter Kendrick; both are wife and beloved daughter to Lord Augustus von Hilter.”

 

Yuri winced and then blushed at the announcer's announcement. With both of the women having the name Von Hilter how could he not know that they were family to Lord von Hilter? After recovering from his blush, Yuri took a moment to look at the two women. Both were very stunning, Lady Marcella had long curly locks of a deep red violet; it was so dark Yuri could have sworn that it had purple or even blue highlights. The lady's eyes were a deep dark sapphire, the dress she was reminded him of some of Lady Celi's clothes. It was a ruby red color with a low cut v neck line, a split ran all the way up to her right thigh.

 

“Your Majesty it is an honor to get to meet you in person at last.”

 

Yuri then turned his ebony orbs to Lady Sarafina, he noticed that she was slightly taller then Lady Marcella. Her eyes were a brilliant color of green; her hair was a tawny brown color and lacked the many curls of her mother's hair. Only a few stray curls bounced and swayed as she walked. The dress she was wearing was an emerald green, setting off a sparkle in her meadow green orbs. Yuri then noticed that her dress was much more modest then Lady Marcella's had been. The slit was small and in the back of the skirt to allow her movements to be graceful. The cut in the necks, wasn't as low as it had been in the other dress, in fact Yuri noticed that the v neck in the dress was the only part of the dress that showed any of her skin off; the sleeves of the dress ran all the way down to her wrist. He also noticed that both mother and daughter were both endowed well with stunning jewels

 

“It is an honor to meet you your Majesty.”

 

What happened next caught Yuri, Conrad along with the others completely off guard.

 

“Now entering is the lovely Lady Leoda Hilter.”

 

The heads of all five men quickly turned in the direction of the long red carpeted stair well as Leoda made her appearance Yuri and Conrad were the first to speak,

 

“It can't be that's impossible.”

 

“She's stunning.”

 

Wolfram and Günter spoke next while Gwendal chose to remain silent.

 

“That's preposterous, how could she be a part of the Von Hilter family.”

 

“This is most curious, his Highness says that he had studies with this young woman in his world, but how can that be?”

 

Yuri quickly glanced over Leoda's choice of clothing, the dress she was wearing was a shimmering blue the skirt was long, full and stopped at her ankles. Her shoulders were bare as the neck line was open; the sleeves of the dress were made out of a shear transparent black fabric and stopped in a v shape down over her hands. Her long curly mahogany locks were piled on top of her head, while several were draped down the back of her neck. Though her dress was revealing it also had a modest look to it as well. The only jewelry Yuri could find on her was two small diamond ear rings in her ears and a blue and tawny colored pendant hanging on a golden chain around her neck.

 

Leoda then started to walk toward Yuri and the others.

 

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Leoda's heart was thundering in her chest as she entered the room. Why it was that she was nervous, she had no idea. Her dark eyes fell on Gwendal first, then on Günter, and Wolfram. Lord Bielefelt however, Leoda noticed didn't look well. A slight blush came rushing to her cheeks as her eyes fell on Lord Weller.

 

However, her blush vanished quickly upon noticing the person who was standing next to Lord Weller. At first she had merely thought that the name had been a simple quiescent, but now.

 

`It can't be but it is, its Yuri. He's the new demon king, but how is that possible?'

 

Wanting to remain elegant and polite, she bowed to each of them.

 

“Lord Gwendal von Voltaire, Lord Günter von Christ, it is an honor to meet you.”

 

Leoda then turned to Yuri and Conrad. A smile remained on her lips as she spoke.

 

“Your Majesty, Lord Weller, I want to thank you for rescuing me the other day. I am truly in your debt, your Highness.”

 

After completing her bow, Leoda turned to Wolfram.

 

“Lord Bielefelt, you have not been feeling well, please allow me.”

 

Catching Wolfram off guard, Leoda reached up and gently placed a hand to his forehead. She then frowned at him lightly.

 

“Lord Bielefelt, you shouldn't be up you still have a slight fever.”

 

Yuri was taken by surprise when Leoda's right hand glowed, a bright brilliant green.

 

“There you go Lord Bielefelt; you should feel much better now.”

 

Leoda bowed once more before taking her leave from them. She was soon stopped by the sound of Lady Marcella's voice.

 

“Leoda, sweetie I'm so glad to see that you're all right. I was starting to get worried about you.”

 

Leoda however, just bowed to her mother.

 

“Lady Marcella, if you would excuse me I'm sure there are things back at the castle that requires my attention.”

 

She then turned on her heel and gracefully excused herself. Lady Marcella von Hilter, frowned as she watched her youngest daughter leave. She then bowed to Yuri once more.

 

“You're Majesty; please forgive me for my daughter's rudeness. I don't know what has gotten into her.”

 

Sarafina just sighed as she looked at her mother.

 

“Perhaps Mother, Leoda's coldness to you has to do with you not keeping to your word.”

 

“She has a point Marcella, darling. You did go against your word. Prescott won't be to happy with you when he finds out that you've dragged her here, again after you said you wouldn't.”

 

Lady Marcella bit her lip lightly. Yuri however, couldn't stand his own confusion any more and spoke up.

 

“Um excuse me, I don't mean to sound rude, but just what is going on here?”

 

Both Lady Marcella and the just arrived Lord Von Hilter turned to look at Yuri.

 

“Forgive me your majesty; I am Lord Augustus von Hilter. The young woman that just left was my niece.”

 

“Oh, I see and here I thought that I'd see her back on earth.”

 

Then what Lord von Hilter had just said hit him.

 

“What she's your niece, and here I was thinking she was your daughter.”

 

Yuri then glanced at Lord Von Hilter, he had the same tawny hair as Lady Sarafina, the only thing different was his was shorter. His eyes Yuri noticed were a honey brown similar to Conrad's. Augustus chuckled lightly at Yuri's words.

 

“I understand how you're Highness, would be confused to think that. However, even though Leoda's name is Hilter, I'm sure you also noticed that there was no von in her name. That is due to the fact that Leoda is the daughter of my brother Prescott.”

 

Lady Marcella then bowed to Yuri as she spoke.

 

“Your Majesty isn't wrong, I'm sure you did see Leoda back on earth before. She lives there with Prescott; I met him there on earth when I had went there on a journey. I'm sorry such a story would be to boring for his majesty.”

 

“Well now, your Majesty, I really must be going. Thank you again for rescuing my youngest daughter. Good day to you.”

 

Lord Augustus watched as his wife and daughter left the castle. He then turned to Yuri and the others.

 

“Yes, we are deeply in debuted to you. I however have one more thing to ask of his highness. Would you be gracious enough to perhaps allow Leoda to stay here tonight? She is a young woman with a strong mind, and I know that my wife does not want to believe it, but Leoda I'm sure is very cross at the moment with her. It would put my mind to ease if I knew that she was resting in the home of his majesty.”

 

Yuri just smiled at him.

 

“Yeah, sure thing I don't see a problem with it. It'll give us time to catch up on old times.”

 

Lord Von Hilter bowed to his Majesty, before he left he spoke once more to Yuri.

 

“If your majesty has a garden I'm sure you'll find her there, if not the stables would be another place to start.”

 

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Leoda sighed as she continued to slowly pet the neck of a brown stallion with a dark mane. Slipping off her shoes she then mounted the horse bare back as she then steered him out of the stable. She didn't care that she was still dressed in the dress she had worn to the meeting of the demon king. Her long mahogany hair, now flowed wild and free behind her as the horse took off in a hard gallop.

 

Once she was sure that she was a good ways away from the castle Leoda allowed herself to cry. As she expected at light rain fall followed shortly after; which in turned only caused her to cry harder. She then turned her ebony orbs to the horse that had taken her to the place she now was at.

 

“Thank you for allowing me to ride you. I'm sure your master is worried about you. You should go home now I'll be all right”

 

Giving off a sight snort the stallion soon took off in the direction of the castle. While Leoda glanced at the dead land that lay before her; the land had saw so much pain and blood shed that it soon had stopped producing life.

 

“Well, it's not like I'll be going home anytime soon. I might as well see what I can do to help out around here.”

 

Her ears soon caught the sound of a woman crying. Turning in the direction of the sound Leoda soon found the woman who had been doing the crying.

 

“Excuse me, ma'am as your son fallen ill?”

 

All the young woman could do was nod her head, as tears continued to flow from her eyes.

 

“Yes, but I was unable to pay for the medicine that he needs.”

 

Leoda only smiled at her.

 

“If it is all right with you I'd like to take a look at him, but only if you are willing to let me.”

 

The woman's brown eyes widened in disbelief; at what she had just heard.

 

“You really are willing to help my son? Why aren't you from the demon tribe?”

 

Leoda just continued to smile at her as she spoke.

 

“Even if I was from the demon tribe that wouldn't be my main concern; what I'm worried about is the illness your son is suffering from.

 

The woman's eyes sparked with fresh tears as she gentling handed her ailing son to Leoda. She then watched as Leoda, placed a gentle hand on the child's forehead. Her hand then glowed a brilliant green color, and within a few minutes the young child was slowly starting to open his eyes. The woman's gasp as she saw this, it truly seemed to be a miracle to her. Tears of joy escaped from the young woman's eyes as she held her son in her arms.

 

“Oh my boy, my son, oh thank you so much. How can I ever repay you? You truly must be from the demon tribe to have such powers.”

 

Leoda stood up and brushed the dust from her skirt.

 

“You don't owe me anything, I was happy to help. Though there is one thing I would like to ask you. If you wouldn't mind I would like to stay anonymous.”

 

The young mother just smiled and nodded to her.

 

“Yes of course I understand I will never forget you. If anyone is to ask me about the land flourishing again I will merely say that an angel appeared in front of me.”

 

Leoda just smiled at her as she started to walk away from her. It was something that she knew that she would never understand. There was so much suffering out there and yet at times it seemed like no one cared.

 

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“Lord Gwendal, your stallion is missing from the stables.”

 

Gwendal's eyes widened in disbelief at what he was hearing; there was no way that his horse could be missing.

 

“What that's impossible.”

 

The soldier stood his ground as he continued his report.

 

“I'm afraid there is more sir, the horse's saddle and bridle are still inside the stables sir.”

 

Yuri was just as confused as Gwendal.

 

“Hey Gwendal, I thought you said that no one but you could ride your stallion?”

 

“His highness would be mistaken. I said no fool could ride him; it would appear that who ever took him was no fool. Especially if they were brave enough to ride him bare back.”

 

A loud whinny, drew everyone's glaze as a horse came trotting back to the stables.

 

“Gwendal isn't that your horse, do you think that he threw whoever it was that was trying to ride him?”

 

Yuri then waited for Gwendal's answer.

 

“No your majesty I do not, he seems calm and not the least bit upset.”

 

“Oh I see, then I guess there's no real way to know who took him and why.”

 

“Why that is an easy question to answer your majesty.”

 

Yuri's eyes widened at the person who had just spoken.

 

“Lady von Hilter Kendrick, it's you.”

 

“Though I don't know that much about my little sister; I do know that she has a talent when it comes to speaking to animals, among other things. I'm sure she is the one who borrowed your horse, just as it was she who told it to return here.”

 

Yuri then watched as the Lady Sarafina smiled as she spoke.

 

“Mother really must have pissed her off especially since she took one of the horses that were resting in his majesty's stables. The fact that you say that your stallion is picky about who rides him; tells me more then I need to know.”

 

“The few times that mother brought Leoda to visit demon world; I could never understand my little sister. She however was not one to dress up in fancy dresses; she would prefer pants and the suit top that father would wear. After all she is the youngest person in mother's royal guard to move up to captain in such a short time.”

 

This news seemed to not only stun Yuri but Wolfram and Gwendal as well. That was when Wolfram spoke at last.

 

“Speaking of a captain, just where did Lord Weller run off too?”

 

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