Dear Somal,

That’s very kind of you to say of me, thank you! :) 

Of course! I’m sure all of us get angry and/or distressed some time or another, I certainly have and still do. However, growing up it was much worse then than it is now. 

Growing up, even as a young child, I experienced a lot of hardships and criticisms.

I’ll put it this way: things were alright until my father died. That was the turning point in my life where a couple of things drastically changed. 

I don’t usually dwell on the past— some things are just a bit too painful to talk about, but I’ll briefly describe what exactly I mean by things drastically changed.

First, as many of you may know from the stories— Wolfram, my dearest younger brother came to hate me for something I had no control over— being born half-human. My mother assured me he was just overreacting and would get over it and things would be fine— however when things didn’t get better I was very heartbroken. The morning after Wolfram’s outburst of hatred, Gwendal came back with the news that my father had died. When that happened it became clear I could not rely on my mother for support. When my father died, she was in no condition to be strong for me or comfort me at all. I couldn’t run to my mother for reassurance because often, I would end up being the one to reassure my mother and hold her while she cried. In coping with her loss, she was unable to rule properly and she often stayed in her room for days and let Stoffel run the castle. Which of course, lead to more problems. 

I was feeling very alone at that time. Wolfram warned me that if I came anywhere near him he would draw his wooden sword, pick up a stick or rock or summon his fire magic and attempt to kill me in honor of his country ‘that hates the dreaded human race’; Gwendal became very distant and cold towards me for sometime, I feel this was because the death of my father changed him and his views on humans. I believe he became frightened of the short lifespan of humans, and was afraid to become attached to someone who he thought would not live very long.

Now, isolated in the castle, I was defenseless. Since my father had died, the people who had previously disliked him and myself stepped boldly into the light. Dan-Hiri Sama was no longer around to defend his name, or me. 

I experienced most of the hatred of humans and half-humans from that time onward. That is when my anger, frustration and depression reached it’s peek in my childhood. I often found myself cursing my human blood, then my mozoku blood, then my human blood again. If I was born just human at least I had a race I could associate myself with. I couldn’t associate myself with half-breeds because if half breeds existed, they didn’t want people to know about it and didn’t want to stand up for each other or their race because they were ashamed and afraid to. 

My friends, such as the cook’s son or the gardener’s daughter were no longer allowed to play with me and I spent many a day in the library or sword practicing alone or with Yozak who lived not far away outside of the city. 

Wolfram’s father died shortly after that and I was afraid my mother would never come out of her depression. However, the day uncle Waltrona came to take Wolfram away claiming Celi was unfit to care for her children in such a state, was the day she changed and kept all of her sorrow and fears and heartache secret and began to slowly rule her kingdom again, however, she still heavily relied on her brother to make decisions for her.

As I grew older, I was separated from my peers because my peers were full-blooded Mazoku aristocrats and although I was a prince, I was only considered a prince in title. Something that everyone knew would pass one day and after that I had no land to rule and no title to fall back on like my brothers did and would only be a half-bred ex-prince. 

My best chance, many said, was the military. Something I hated. I hated the thought of war and killing. Every time I saw my father kill I always told myself I would never end up like that, to kill without thinking about it. The military changed that in me however, and now Yuuri is working to change that in me again. It frustrates me that I became something I swore I would never become. 

The military and the academy were both frustrating times in my life. I hated both but had no other choice but to join them because I did not want to end up useless to my country. Perhaps, I thought, through the military I could become a general and then a politician so I would have some say in the way the country was ruled— but I knew that was a slim chance to none leaving me feeling helpless and pointless.

So I graduated top of my class at the academy and not many years later I found myself in war. The hardest times of my life were spent in the war. Those times I felt despair and anger like ever before- however, I was calmer in my mind than I had been in the past 50 years. I felt I was at least doing some good for my country and half-breeds like myself. I was ready to die on the battlefield for those reasons. I had something to fight for.

But I lived, and then experienced more loss. I can not describe the loss of many loved ones— friends and comrades all at once so quickly. It was as if my soul had whole chunks taken out of it, leaving gaping holes that ached somewhere I couldn’t medicate. I fear thinking back on those times because I’m afraid to admit at one point I had truly lost interest in living. 

Then came Earth and Jose and Jennifer and Shoma and finally little Yuuri. My life became much brighter after that event and I decided I would continue living for all those who I had lost, to make my world a better place for future generations by the side of my new king. 

Then shortly after young Yuuri came to shin Makoku came my betrayal, and I felt all my hopes and dreams of a better future slip away so quickly I had no time to breath. The only chance I had to make Yuuri’s future come true was sacrifice myself. Because if I chose not to, and simply died, I would have left this world accomplishing nothing. Those too, were dark times of anger and pain.

But all that passed too, and I am now back home. I’m missing a few more pieces but I’m still here— and although I’m sure I’ll still experience more anger and hurt before I die, I have high hopes they will be much less painful than previously, because now I have my wits, experience, age and my family (which includes Yozak) here with me to help steady the blows. :)

Well, that took longer than expected. You ask some very in-depth questions! Some are difficult to answer emotionally, but I enjoy your curiosity! Thank you for allowing me to let these things out, it feels good to put them into writing. :)

- Conrart Weller

I realize, not many of you have seen a picture of what I looked like as a child. 

Wolfram drew this when he was younger, so it’s a good century old, but I figured I would take a picture of it and show it to you.

That sword was about as tall as I was! And it was just as heavy too..

I also realize many of you don’t know much about my childhood, do you want me to write a bit about it? Message me if you do! :)

-Conrart Weller

Dear storyofmyanotherlife, (can I call you s.o.m.a.l.? )  :)

Well to answer honestly, I felt many things at that time…

Initially was shock, I could tell that the conversation Yuuri and Wolfram were having right before the incident wasn’t going to turn out well. But I was shocked at Yuuri’s responce, I thought Wolfram would attempt to assault Yuuri before Yuuri assaulted Wolfram.

However, directly after Yuuri stuck Wolfram, I felt fear. Growing up with Wolfram, for all the good times we had, there were many bad times. Because of my human lineage, Wolfram grew to dislike me greatly. However, it was not just me, it was all humans and half-breeds. I knew all to well how quickly Wolfram’s temper could snap, and the damage he could do. I feared Wolfram would light the whole room on fire in seconds, regardless of Yuuri’s social standing. Simply because Yuuri was a half-breed in Wolfram’s eyes, not a king. 

After Wolfram instead challenged Yuuri to a duel, I felt relief and a headache.(I’m sure Gwendal felt the same) Yuuri wasn’t injured— yet. Wolfram was furious and our new king was now very confused and engaged. I wanted to explain to Yuuri how he got engaged, and then how to reverse the engagement as soon as possible. That, I thought, would calm Wolfram down and would stop the public from knowing of the Maoh’s engagement so it wouldn’t ruin Wolfram’s honor when Yuuri broke it off.

I figured because Yuuri grew up on Earth, he would never consent to engaging or wedding a man and would break the engagement as soon as he learned how.

I also hoped to avoid the duel altogether, if Wolfram calmed down enough and realized Yuuri’s mistake perhaps the fight could be avoided if both parties agreed.

However, things did not go that way. The day after Yuuri and Wolfram’s duel, the word had spread much to far. Yozak had told me how the gossip ring of the castle had worked diligently to spread the news as far as the borders of the capital.

When Wolfram found out, he decided that it would be up to Yuuri to end the engagement, since Yuuri defeated him and purposed in the first place.

Yuuri, I suppose because he did not want to damage Wolfram’s honor or loose their fragile growing friendship, kept things the way they were. Or perhaps other reasons, but no one is really sure besides themselves I suppose. I’ll leave it at that, I don’t want to start sounding like a gossiping maid, or worse: Yozak.

If you were wondering how I feel about the engagement overall— I have lived long enough to realize the two most important things in life is love and happiness. I want both for everyone I hold dear, and if Wolfram and Yuuri’s engagement makes them happy and if they are both in love, I will support them and do everything in my power to help them stay in love and happy.  :)

Thank you for the question Somal! It was interesting to think back on how I truly felt at that moment, it really was quite shocking, I felt we would all be fried to a crisp! :) 

- Conrart Weller

Dear Theodenofyouth, 

I’d love to! I’ve picked up a couple of good ones over the years, take a look at these: (I’m big into puns, you know.)

~

A man rushed into the doctor’s office and shouted, “Doctor! Doctor! I think I’m shrinking!” The doctor calmly responded, “Now, settle down. You’ll just have to be a little patient.”

~

No matter how attractive you may find him/her, never ask a photographer to step into a dark room to see what develops. The answer is almost always in the negative.

(Yes, it’s a bad pun— enough to make you shutter.) 

~

I’ve heard marathon runners with bad shoes suffer the agony of de feet.

(Sounds like me, after running around in my boots all day. :( )

~

I asked the bartender for a pitcher full of beer, so he brought me a drunk baseball player.

~

This one is for you, Yuuri:  ”I don’t play baseball anymore - because when I knocked over my Coke, that was the last time I made a pop-fly.”

(I’m sure you’re aware that I’m having a ball with these puns, they strike me as funny.)

~

He had won every award and received every possible accolade: he was simply the best scarecrow ever. He truly was out standing in his field.

~

A frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller. He can see that her name is is Patricia Whack.

He says, “Ms. Whack, I ‘d like to take out a loan.” Patti looks at the frog in disbelief and asks how much he wants to borrow.

The frog says $30,000. The teller asks his name, and the frog says that his name is Kermit Jagger, and that it’s alright, because he knows the bank manager. Patti explains that $30,000 is a substantial sum and that he will need to secure some collateral against the loan. She asks if he has anything he can us as collateral. The frog says, “Sure, I have this,” and produces a tiny pink porcelain elephant, about half an inch tall. Bright pink and perfectly formed.

Very confused, Patti explains that she’ll have to consult with the manager and disappears into a back office.

She finds the manager and says, “There’s a frog called Kermit Jagger out there that claims to know you and wants to fill out a loan for $30,000, and he wants to use this as collateral.” She holds up the tiny pink elephant. “I mean, what the heck is this?”

The bank manager looks back at her and says: “It’s a knick knack, Patti Whack, give the frog a loan, his old man’s a rolling stone.”

~

Great, are they not? That last one I got from Jose Rodriguez. I hope you found them punny! 

Thank you for allowing me to share. ^___^

-Conrart Weller

I am going to bed now, (it’s 2AM here!) I am quite tired after running around shopping with Jennifer, Yuuri, and Wolfram all day.

Good night everyone, thank you for your wonderful questions! I enjoyed reading and answering each one. :) 

- Conrart Weller

Dear Eternal-rivals,

Growing up I was surrounded by a large number of different kinds of animals, wild and domesticated. However, I have always wanted a dog. When I visited Boston with Shoma Shibuya a few years back, I came across certain breeds of Earth dogs, and one especially caught my eye. Golden Retrievers.

I think these dogs would make wonderful pets. No dog breed in Shin Makoku are like that of the Golden Retriever, but their downfall is that they only live about 20 years, unlike Shin Makoku animals that live much longer.

(And yes, not to mention my busy life style, I would be off on missions away from my pet for long periods of time, since my missions are a bit to dangerous to bring a dog with me.)

If I had to choose an animal to be my pet, it’d have to be a dog. Although, dragons are pretty neat too.

Thanks for wondering!

- Conrart Weller

Dear Flamiette,

You’re welcome!

I do happen to own a rubber duck, it sits in my office for decoration, or as a toy for princess Greta whenever she wants to use it.

However, I only like that one and hold on to it for specific reasons. Meaning, I like that duck, but in general I do not hold rubber ducks any higher than other toys. I think all of them are nice. 

- Conrart Weller

Dear Anonymous,

Yuuri is my king and Yozak is my friend, those kind of actions would be completely out of line and would not only jeopardize my station and the security of my country, but would also be treason to my younger brother. 

Yozak and I have been through a lot together, but I do not believe we hold those kind of feelings for each other. 

- Conrart Weller

Dear Anonymous,

I love both of my brothers dearly, and although Wolfram can be rash at times, he is very important to me and I would do most anything for him. 

To answer your question honestly, Wolfram has not consulted me on the subject of his feelings. My only advice to him is to follow his heart and enjoy what he has in the now. 

- Conrart Weller