Chapter 1 You never really knew him at all
"I'm deeply sorry Wolfram."
"You don't have to be. If this is the fate I have been given then I whole-heartedly accept."
Yozak was on his way to Gwendal's office when he spotted Wolfram staring intently at the flowers planted on his mother's personal garden. Yozak hid behind a tree and watched the scene unfold. Wolfram had this lonely expression plastered on his face. "I know that face. What is wrong kaka?" Yozak thought to himself.
Yesterday's conversation with Shinou replayed in Wolfram's head. "I'm deeply sorry Wolfram" Shinou apologized sadly. "You don't have to be. If this is the fate I have been given then I whole-heartedly accept" Wolfram said with a sad smile. "Please do not think it is because I don't care for you. This role was given to you because you have the biggest heart among everyone. No matter the conditions your love is unconditional and your heart the strongest." "I understand." "I will forever watch
over you Wolfram" Shinou promised. "Thank you Shinou-heika." "Be strong, my son." Shinou had said. Shinou wasn't his real father but Wolfram was after all his descendant, so calling Wolfram his son was acceptable. "I wonder how much time I have left to spend with everyone?" Wolfram thought to himself as tears began to fall from his eyes.
Yozak saw Wolfram shut his eyes tightly as tears fell from his eyes. Yozak slowly walked towards him. "kaka, is there something wrong?" Yozak asked. Immediately green eyes shot up to look at Yozak. Wolfram quickly wiped away his tears and forced out a smile. "Nothing. I'm fine. Dust just came to my eyes." "You're lying. Why were you crying?" "Don't be silly I would never cry in front of anyone." Wolfram insisted then saw Yozak's bandaged left arm. "What happened to you?" he asked worriedly. "It's just a scratch" Yozak said. "That is not just a scratch, blood is seeping through. Why didn't you go to Gizela?" "She seemed busy at that time." "Sit down" Wolfram instructed. "You don't have to..." Yozak tried to argue but stopped when he was met with Wolfram's glare. "Or I could sit down, I'm sure your brother is a patient man" Yozak said as he sat down on a nearby bench. Wolfram slowly and gently unbandaged Yozak's bandages and used his mayoku to heal Yozak up. After a few seconds, no trace of the injury was left on Yozak's left arm. "Go now before aniue gets mad" Wolfram said getting back to his stoic nature. "Thank you kaka, I knew deep inside you are really soft despite your bratty attitude" Yozak teased and got a smack on the back of his head. "Ouch!... It's been a while since I've been smacked that hard by you" Yozak said. "I promise you the next one would knock you unconscious" Wolfram swore. "Okay then I'm leaving. But are you sure you're alright kaka?" Yozak asked again. "I'm sure" Wolfram said with a faint smile and Yozak left.
"You're late" Gwendal said with a deep frown as soon as Yozak entered the room. "Gomen-gomen" Yozak apologized with a smile. "What kept you?" "Wolfram-kaka" Yozak replied, and Gwendal turned to look at him, worry evident in his eyes. "Something wrong with Wolfram?" "He seemed a bit down but I'll find out what's bothering him." "I was supposed to instruct you to go investigate something in Big Shimaron , but check on Wolfram first. I'll assign this job to Hube. Dismissed." "Despite your usual frown you really care for your brother" Yozak said with a smile. "Of course I do, now go. Tell me if there's something wrong with Wolfram." "Will do" Yozak said and left the office.
Yozak found Wolfram training to improve his archery skills by himself while Conrad was helping Yuuri improve his swordsmanship skills. Yozak hid behind one of the pillars along the hall. Conrad sensed someone watching them from the shadows.
"Ahh! I forgot I'm supposed to be having lessons with Guinter this afternoon!" Yuuri exclaimed. "I'll accompany you heika" Conrad immediately said. "It's Yuuri, Conrad." "Sorry, Yuuri." "Aren't you coming with us Wolfram?" Yuri asked. "No, go ahead. I'll meet you at supper" Wolfram said without turning around to face them. "Okay, we'll be going then" Yuuri said and left with Conrad.
"Sorry Yuuri, but there's something I need to check. Why don't you go ahead?" Conrad suggested. Yuuri nodded and headed for the library. Conrad went to where Yozak was standing, his eyes were still glued to Wolfram. "Yozak? Why are you secretly watching Wolfram?" Conrad asked. "Something was off with him when we talked a while ago" Yozak said. "Off? I didn't notice anything." "That's because you never notice anything if it didn't concern hei... Never mind, shouldn't you be somewhere else?" Yozak asked and Conrad's face turned into a frown. "What are you implying? I do care for my brother and if there's something wrong with him I need to know." "Need to? Why?" Yozak asked. "I'm his brother. What are you getting at? If you have something to say, spit it out" Conrad said angrily. "You should have noticed by now how much you aren't really being a brother to Wolfram-kaka. " "I have always been there for Wolfram." "Always? I'm the one who was always there for him. If you think everything's fine right now, it means you never really knew him at all. As for me I'm going to find out" Yozak said and headed to Wolfram. Conrad saw a smile curl up Wolfram's lips as soon as he saw Yozak. Conrad clenched his fists and headed for the library.
Author's Comments: Thanks for reading! Hope you liked it. Comments are greatly accepted, Bad comments are greatly respected. Don't be too harsh ^_^