Chapter Text
Conrad wonders how many strays Julius has adopted, on top of everything else he seemed to be juggling with.
Ever since he had appointed the blond as his advisor, Julius had been almost all too eager to pull out many plans he seemingly had up his sleeves. In fact, the man had seemingly just churned out proposals at a rate that had Conrad questioning whether Julius had been secretly preparing to be the Wizard King behind his back (Well, he supposed that if his plans to overthrow the nobility had been foiled, Julius would have logically been the best choice for a successor).
Perhaps he had underestimated Julius’s enthusiasm for his new role, which was not a bad thing in itself. Rather, it now worried Conrad on whether his advisor was working too hard. It was getting unreal to see a new proposal submitted to his desk every 2 days. Furthermore, each proposal was so meticulously detailed in its implementation and anticipated outcome that it spanned around twenty pages per proposal on average.
This was on top of the fact that Julius was also juggling the handover of his squad’s command to the two vice captains he had in mind. Namely, Yami Sukehiro and William Vangeance.
Most of his plans included increasing inclusivity in the Magic Knight Squads, which Conrad also supported, and it was upon meeting those who benefitted from this plan that Conrad realised…Julius liked taking in wards.
First there was the dark haired foreigner who seemed to nonchalantly walk around like he owned the place, unbothered by the glares sent towards him by some of the other nobles, then there was the cursed child of the Vangeance family. This was on top of the light magic user from the Faust family, who had seemingly been alienated by his own family.
From his knowledge, his advisor had been the one to seek them out and literally picked them from wherever they came from. Especially the foreigner, who was not native to this land. William was the other, a cursed child of his family who was ostracised for that, but Julius had recognised his potential nonetheless.
After the time Julius had spent with all of them, it was clear that they were also fiercely loyal to him, as the Wizard King noted with a reluctant fondness. His previous dispute with Julius regarding the state of the kingdom still seemed fresh on his mind, and yet…he had been blind to how his friend was trying to change the system, one step at a time.
Julius really did believe in the coming generation, and had taken his chances, invested his time and opportunity to give his wards a chance they would not have had if anyone else had been the Captain of the Grey Deer Squad.
“Master Julius, when will you come back to visit us and the rest of the Grey Deer Squad? Morgen says he misses your company.” William had asked kindly, when both he and his comrade had dropped by the royal palace to deliver a report.
“Your replacement sucks, by the way.” Yami snorts, as he sets the stack of reports down on the table.
Julius walks over to both of them, and ruffles Yami’s hair, earning him a dodge by the younger. William on the other hand, accepted the pat on his shoulder. The two younger wards are so relaxed and open with their mentor, who was as kind and patient as he always was.
It was an incredibly domestic sight, which Conrad felt that he was intruding upon.
Maybe in another time, a different life, he and Lovilia would have had a family of their own. Unfortunately, that possibility would never happen, not with her passing, the betrayal of the royalists who had since been trialled and executed for their involvement. Their punishment was fair, but Conrad only felt hollow, despite seeing his wife and squadmates’ murderers brought to justice.
At least one of the three of them would have a good ending.
“I’ll try to drop by at the end of this week, provided that nothing urgent pops up. Of course I also need to get approval-”
This was a good chance to give his advisor time off. A stray thought drifts into his head, rather, one he had considered when he observed the near frantic pace at which Julius had made his proposals and ideas clear to Julius. That was, he was trying to prove himself and his vision in order to ensure that Conrad himself would not turn to more drastic measures.
The thought filled him with a bitter heartache.
“Consider your leave approved.”
Conrad stepped out from where he had been quietly observing the entire interaction, and Julius’s eyes widened when he realised that the man had been there the whole time.
“Greetings, your majesty.” William and Yami both give him the three fingered salute, which Conrad dipped his head in acknowledgement.
“Thank you, your majesty.” Julius answered softly, a fond smile on his lips. Conrad looked at the three of them, still unsettled with how Julius addressed him as such, but recognised the need for such formality within the castle walls.
“Let’s throw a party. We’re both already of legal age, so let's break out the stash of alcohol in the base.” The wild, roguish glint in Yami’s eye was something Conrad once recognised in his youth, as William stifles a choke of surprise.
Julius, on the other hand, looked confused at what the occasion was.
“A party? What’s the occasion for?”
“We still haven’t celebrated your promotion to become advisor to the Wizard King.” William shoots a look at Yami, a faint glare. Meanwhile, Julius looked stunned, before his expression relaxed into that of amusement and pleasant contentment.
Ah. He realised what was going on. The party had been meant as a surprise for his advisor, and Yami had blown the surprise right off the bat. Still, Conrad realised that there had not really been a formal appointment completed for his advisor, especially since he had done his best to smoothen out the process and accelerate it. He supposed Julius did deserve a party of his own.
The black haired youngster looks at him.
“I guess we should also invite the big man himself, huh?” Conrad had to admit, this kid was interesting and bold. A clear disregard for status and formalities, while almost any other Magic Knight would have been intimidated by his presence alone.
Conrad did realise how much he had changed after Lovilia’s death.
“Oh? I would not want to intrude upon a party for your squad.”
“Nah, you’re coming with us. You’re his best friend, aren’t you? Besides, it ain’t like our squads were strangers,” Yami continued to explain nonchalantly.
Conrad turns to look at William and Julius, both of whom seemed surprised by this turn of events. Quietly, he faintly hears William muttering something along the lines of ‘I can’t believe he actually pulled this off,’ under his breath, as the masked youth reached into the fold of his robes to pull out a neat invitation.
“Julius…you, are you alright with this arrangement?” It would be rude not to ask his advisor directly, especially since the party had been planned for him. Besides there was also the fact that he…tried to kill him barely a month back. If it were down to Conrad himself, he likely would not feel so comfortable in throwing a party.
“Of course. I see no issues,” Julius smiles at him, patient and greatly amused. Then again, it was not like his advisor was in the position of refusing him even if he wanted to do so. Between the expectations of his mentees and Conrad’s own higher status compared to him, Julius would always say yes.
William hands him the invitation.
“We look forward to meeting you at the end of this week,” William, ever the most polite and eloquent between the two younger knights, dips his head in a respectful nod.
Conrad looks at the invitation, as the other three leave the room.
Apart from the date and time, he flipped it over and found an additional handwritten note.
‘ To: Your Majesty,
We understand that your schedule may be packed and you may be unable to attend or be late to the party for any reasons which may spontaneously arise in light of your duties towards the kingdom.
Should you be able to attend, we humbly inform you that the rest of the attendees are bringing along liquor and spirits or other congratulatory gifts for our ex-captain, and that you may feel free to do so as well. ’
Conrad could not help but feel amused. Now then, he needed to rack his brain on what congratulatory gift to give to his advisor.