author's note: the story can also be found in my livejournal (username: twyxdust). comments/suggestions/reviews are very welcome.

"Yuuri. Can we talk?"

"Can it wait until later? Flynn is waiting for me outside and I'm sort of running late…"

He fixes his uniform and checks his reflection at the mirror. I walk to him and straightened out his collar, raising my head to look him at the eyes.

He stares back at me surprised, flinching slightly, his uneasiness very obvious. Usually, I would scowl at him and comment at how he should be used to me being that close to him. After all, I am his fiancé.

This time, however, I stepped back and looked away.

"Err.. I'll be back in a few minutes, Wolfram. But right now, I just have to go. See you later. "

He runs out the door and all I can do is follow him with my eyes.

See you later.

Flynn-san is showing him around the castle grounds, and they will walk together, side by side.

There are no enemies in this side of the human territory. No need for a body guard. No need for me. It felt awful. A lot more awful than being in a ship in a stormy sea.

--------

How do I even say this? Where do I begin?

"Yuuri. We should talk. As you are very much aware, I am your fiancé and I think we should spend more time together. I think I'm really, truly in love with you and I want to know if you feel the same way."

No. I don't even know how to respond if he says "Sorry, Wolfram but I just don't feel the same way. Flynn-san, on the other hand…."

NO.

"Yuuri. I'm your fiancé and I think we should talk."

No. Too pushy.

"Yuuri!!!" (with a tight hug)

Definitely not. What if he freaks out and runs away? Will he even let me run after him?

Maybe I can just lock him in a room, tie him in a chair. Force him to talk to me.

Then again, maybe not. He might go Maou mode and then we'll both be in trouble.

Where do I begin?

Yuuri, do you want me to let you go?

-----

It was a bit after sunset when Flynn-san and Yuuri got back at the castle.

They were happy, obviously. I didn't even have to see them to know, I can hear their laughter echoing down the halls.

Why the hell did I leave the door open?

I wanted to close the door shut. Maybe set it to flames it for added effect. Make the people panic, disrupt whatever conversation Yuuri and Flynn was having.

And I was about to do so, too, when Conrad suddenly appeared in my door, blocking my path.

"Wolfram, you do know that we are in human territory. Using majutsu here will only weaken you."

Of course I know. "What do you want?"

"Flynn-san requested that all of us be present for the farewell dinner, since we're going to leave tomorrow for Shin Makoku."

"I'll be there."

And I close the door in Conrad's face but not before I see his face break in a subtle, knowing smile.

God I hate that smile.

-------

I remember the first time I've felt it. It was at that time when Shin Makoku was opened to the rest of the world, even welcoming the humans who, before Yuuri's reign as the Maou, wouldn't even think of stepping in to Mazoku territory.

The tournament was about to start. I wanted Yuuri to watch and I was looking for him in the castle grounds.

I found him soon enough, he was talking to Flynn in the garden. Usually, I would have rushed to his side and dragged him away but there was something in the way they were talking to each other, the way Flynn looked at Yuuri and how Yuuri returned the gaze. I just realized then that my hands felt cold and I couldn't move at all. I couldn't look away. I was just standing there, watching them.

"Hurts, doesn't it?"

Startled, I look at the direction of the voice. It was Adelbert.

"I don't know what you're referring to," I said calmly, as I started to walk away.

"...You know, kid? Sometimes, you just have to learn when to let go."

"How dare you?!" I turned at him sharply, my hand reaching for my sword.

What I saw next caught me in surprise. If I didn't know any better, I'd think Adelbert was looking at me with sympathy in his eyes.

The dinner was uneventful.

Yuuri was closely following each and every word of Flynn-san, as if her words were from Shinou. Flynn-san was oblivious to the other beings in the room, humans and mazoku alike. She only has eyes for the Maou, grinning and blushing like a little girl. Conrad was smiling knowingly (with the smile that I hate so much.) Gunter was fawning over Yuuri, as usual.

On my way to this dreadful dinner, I heard the maidservants whispering to each other in the hall:

"Yuuri-sama and Flynn-sama look good together ne?"

"I know!! It would be good if they get married one day, it would the definitely unite the Mazoku and the humans!"

Had I not been taught of restraint, I would have slashed them and burned them to the ground.

For Flynn-san, however, I have other special plans.

I wanted to push her off a cliff. Have a flock of kohis follow her around just to drive her crazy. Slap her face with a cactus. Steal a dragon egg and leave it in her room for the mother to find.

I could think of a hundred more ways to torture her, to hurt her, to wipe that annoyingly awful grin off her face.

I want to, but I can't.

I look at the end of the table and I see Yuuri, sitting there, smiling.

I want to, but I can't.