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Chapter 1
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"Love.
Because of you, in gardens of blossoming
Flowers I ache from the perfumes of spring.
I have forgotten your face, I no longer
Remember your hands; how did your lips
Feel on mine?
Because of you, I love the white statues
Drowsing in the parks, the white statues that
Have neither voice nor sight.
I have forgotten your voice, your happy voice;
I have forgotten your eyes.
Like a flower to its perfume, I am bound to
My vague memory of you. I live with pain
That is like a wound; if you touch me, you will
Make to me an irreparable harm.
Your caresses enfold me, like climbing
Vines on melancholy walls.
I have forgotten your love, yet I seem to
Glimpse you in every window.
Because of you, the heady perfumes of
Summer pain me; because of you, I again
Seek out the signs that precipitate desires:
Shooting stars, falling objects."
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Blood Pledge Castle.
The home of the Maou and the prestige Demon Clans.
Astounding.
Majestic.
A castle within a layers of castle.
Home to the powerful and most loved Maou of all time.
The kindest, handsome, gentle, perfect Yuuri Heika-
'Wolfram! Wolfram!'
Wolfram von Bielefeld grits his teeth. No matter where, no matter when – that wimpy Yuuri doesn't know anything about etiquette!
Yuuri was shouting like ten Gunter is after his hide. And the soldiers are smirking - cause well - the speech of Gunter awhile ago is very different to their real Maou Heika.
'Sheesh! Yuuri! How many times do I have to drill this to your head? You aren't supposed to shout! If you need my attention – just ask Dacaucas or any of the soldier! Don't go running off like some kind of a commoner shouting 'Wolfram Wolfram!' Wolfram angrily retort and almost smack Yuuri's head.
'Hehehe. Gome gome!' And once again Yuuri just gives off that stupid goofy smile to him and he will melt.
'Hump! What do you want?' He almost rolled his eyes. When will his heart ever shut the hell up?!
'Ah! Wolfram! You gotta help me! Gunter told me that I have to give a speech and that I should be the one composing it. He wouldn't help me no matter how I tried,' and then mumbles, 'because Gwendal keeps of giving him that scary look.'
'Yuuri, how old are you?'
'Eh? How old? 19. Why?'
'Right. 19. And don't you think its about time you get off Gunter's skirt. Try doing the speech for once yourself.' Wolfram lazily told him.
He glanced at the Double Black Maou and he let out an exasperated sigh.
Time did change for them.
Yuuri is already 19 years of age and Shin Makoku changes the Maou. For once being lanky, wimpy and well cute – he sure did grow fast. Must be because of the so-called late bloomers getting their full blast at the age of 18.
He felt cheated when Yuuri of all people suddenly has the age spurt that Geika, Shori and the others said. He is tall - same height as Conrart, where he - still stuck on his height of five feet and nine inches. Small height for a man of his lineage. And Yuuri is now have muscular shoulder unlike before. The daily sword training and him being a baseball Captain helps with the change.
And the Wimp is sporting his hair long now. Not long as in long haired like Gunter, but more like untamed and just like Conrart's hair when he was still with Julia.
He cant say Yuuri is a wimp anymore – but when Yuuri pouts and have that puppy dog eyed looked – it still can melt one's heart.
'C'mon Wolf. You know I can compose speeches but this one is hard for me.' Yuuri pouts at him and tug at his uniform.
He then become stiff. He controlled his features and glanced sideways to avoid Yuuri noticing it.
'Let me read your draft.'
'Wow! Thanks Wolf!' Yuuri hurriedly handed him a piece of parchment and scan the letter.
'People of Shin Makoku and neighbouring Kingdom, thank you for your presence and for joining me today for my wedding – blah blah and blah - Sheesh! Yuuri! How can you just start it off with that half-assed words. You are about to announce your wedding and you just have to say it like that.'
'What? But that's how I think it should supposed to start.'
Wolfram sighed and rub the rib of his nose. Now he knows why Gwendal Aniue keeps on rubbing the rub of his nose. To avoid kicking the Maou's ass.
'Listen Yuuri. There is the so-called Monarchy Decorum. You just don't start of like some kind of a commoner. Didn't Gunter – wait scratch that - I bet you're probably goofing off some place when he said that.'
'That's why I need your help Wolfram. Gunter keeps on boasting that when it comes to writing and formalities, you and Gwendal are the best. Gunter told me that Gwendal often ask you to write the proposals from other kingdoms. So you gotta help me! Please!'
Wolfram didn't have to look at Yuuri to know that the wimp is begging with that puppy dog looked again.
'Fine. Run along now. I don't need you near me when I composed your speech.'
'Wahhh! Thanks Wolfram! You're the best!'
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Wolfram smiles and look at the back of Yuuri.
The 27th Maou of Shin Makoku.
The Double Black who he loves dearly.
And the Double Black who hurts him deeply.
He opens once again the parchment.
Wedding.
He smiles.
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'Wolfram. This is Ayako. My girlfriend!'
'Thank you Wolfram! You're the best friend aside from Murata – that I ever had.'
'Wolf! Wolf! Ayako doesn't want to talk to me! What should I do?'
'Wolf! Listen! Ayako and I did it! Thank you for your advice – she really love the flowers and candles. By the way where did you get those flowers? They are so beautiful and seems the atmosphere change when I lit those candles. Are there Lady Cheri's stuff?'
'Wolf! Ayako is pregnant. I'm going to be a father!'
'Wolfram… I'm getting married. Will you be my best man? Murata as the Daikenja will marry us at Shinou's temple.'
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'Wolfram…' Conrart whispered from afar when he saw his baby brother holding the parchment and suddenly stops.
He saw the perfect one single tear of his baby brother.
He saw how Wolfram touches them and laughs softly.
Bitterly.
Sadly.
Dejected.
He heard Yuuri and Wolfram's conversation.
And it breaks his heart.
Yuuri is his godson and he loved him. Love him still for the goodness and for his bright and ideal world of peace and happiness he brought to Shin Makoku and his family… but at the same time he felt sadness and hurt when Yuuri for all those years never did get to love Wolfram as a man – only as a friend.
And he admired his baby brother. Not once did he throw tantrums or show them how badly he was hurt. But all the people in the Castle knows how much hurt he was.
That painful rejection and they know he is still hurting.
How ridiculous the situation had become.
Wolfram become Yuuri's best friend and confidante.
The whole Blood Pledge Castle knows – even the ghost of the Castle knows that Wolfram was the one who made all efforts so Ayako would feel welcome in Shin Makoku.
Sakurai Ayako.
A very pretty Japanese girl who Yuuri met at Tokyo University – where Yuuri insist on graduating college. The two met and fall in love.
They were all amazed when Wolfram welcomes Ayako with a smile and shows her around the Castle. When Yuuri was set off to some neighbouring Kingdom – Wolfram and Greta babysits Ayako. Taught her the history and all that is to know about Shin Makoku.
They all know that Wolfram was the one who prepared the Garden Date of Yuuri and Ayako and that was the time Ayako conceived her baby.
Even Gwendal cant believe how thoughtful Wolfram become.
But their Hahaue cried at them one night. Sobbing and telling them how much Wolfram was hurting and that Wolfram was doing it all so Yuuri wouldn't abandon Shin Makoku and their friendship.
All were stunned.
Him, Gwendal, Gunter and Anissina was heart wretched that time.
For Wolfram.
Their brave baby brother who still is sacrificing himself for the person he loves.
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'Wolfram…' he slowly whispered as he approach his baby brother.
And right there – he felt his gut broken and forever wretched.
The look of love and sadness in those Emerald Green Eyes.
'Conrart… he asks me… he asked me to write their wedding announcement. How thick-headed can he be?'
'Oh Wolfram!'
Conrart suddenly hugs Wolfram – not caring that Wolfram may shun him. Not caring that others may see them. Not caring of the consequences that Wolfram may get angry with him.
And when Wolfram didn't do anything but shook - he knows that Wolfram is doing his best to keep the tears at bay... Wolfram's body was shaking with so much force - for his baby brother is stopping any tears to descend.
Right there and then – he knows the torture and suffering his baby brother felt.
How his baby brother's heart is dying...
Slowly..
Painfully...
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'WOLFRAM!'
'Quick! Quick! Get me the bandages!'
'Gisela do something!'
'Enough! All of you get out now! Anissina! Help me! We need to replenish Wolfram with blood. He lost so much!'
'Take mine! Please take mine!'
'Heika! We cant. I'm sorry but we don't know if your blood is compatible with Wolfram.'
'Mine! Please take mine. I know my blood and Wolf's blood are compatible.'
'Lady Ayako! We cant! You are carrying your baby and -'
'Alive! I am alive because of Wolfram! I don't care what happens. Just give my blood to Wolfram!'
'But-'
'Enough! The longer we debate the faster Wolf's life is in danger.'
'Doria! Lasagna! Prepare the infusion!'
'Yes Lady Anissina!'
'This will hurt Lady Ayako-'
'Do it! Just do it!'
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'Wolfram please live…'
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'For me… for my baby…'
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'Wolfram when are you going to wake up?'
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'Happy birthday Wolfram.'
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'Hello Papa Wolf. Today is rainy. You need a lots of blanket so you wont get cold.
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'Wolfram… your skin is still so soft… it feels like your just sleeping… minus you kicking my ass.'
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'Will you ever forgive me Wolfram?'
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'Nee, Wolfram… I wish you'll wake up… He loves you. You're the one he needs… not me'
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'Wolfram, when will you wake up?'
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'Hey Wolfram, everyday - for as long as I can remember... you are so baeutiful. Will you wake up when I kiss you?'
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'Hmmm…. Hmmm…'
'What the? Doria! Gisela! Lasagna! Hurry! Call them all! Just shut up and hurry! Call them all here!'
'W-what the?'
'Hey, don't push yourself. Slowly.'
A pair of beautiful black eyes.
'M-Maou Heika!'
'Well, they do say I look like him.'
'What? What's going on? Yuuri? Why are you in Maou mode?'
Sounds of footsteps.
'OH MY SHINOU HEIKA!'
'Wolfram!'
'Thank Shinou!'
'Wolfram!'
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'What? Hahaue? Mina-Everyone?'
Confused Emerald green eyes stared at the people gathering at the foot of his bed. Some familiar faces, some new faces, some he doesn't recognize.
His head is throbbing and he felt so weak…
He slowly glance once again at those black eyes…
Black eyes that seem to penetrate his soul.
'Maou Heika? What? Yuuri? What's going on.'
'Maou is right. Yuuri? First let me do this so you wont sleep again.'
GASPED.
'Holy Shinou!'
Wolfram can only gasped and sit stiffly when a pair of strong warm hands cup his cheeks and suddenly a warm lips nestled on his dry cold once.
The on-lookers were all shocked.
All staring.
All with jaws dropped.
'Nmmmgh!' Wolfram suddenly pushes a broad chest.
'What the hell are you doing Yuuri!'
'Sorry Wolfie, Maou is right. Yuuri isnt.'
'What?'
'Maou please, he is confused and you kissing him – I mean – Oh my!' he looks at Gunter with confused eyes.
'Maou? Yuuri? You look-'
'Different? Of course Wolfie. By the way, do remember my name. Its not Yuuri.'
'Ehhh-What? What are you?'
'Yuuto. Shibuya Yuuto. 29th Maou of Shin Makoku and your fiancé.'
'Eh... EHHHHHHH?!'
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