The swoosh caused by Yuri's hand traveling through the air is followed by the echoing slap as it connects with Wolfram's left cheek. Moments ago, Covenant Castle's reception hall buzzed with excitement but now a deadly silence engulfs the party. "What have I done?" Yuri freezes at the sight of Wolfram's impassive face.
"Yuri!" Wolfram holds his position standing still and eyes train next to the Maoh. After all, he is a seasoned soldier and his majesty's personal bodyguard.
Yuri's body relaxes. It seems all the tension he has been holding in for the past few months vanishes in an instant after the slap. He gazes into what he once thought to be the most beautiful emerald eyes he has ever seen; however, Yuri flinches as he registers the pain and confusion in them. While the blond male standing next to his seat of honor at the banquet table remains unmoved, Yuri notices that Wolfram does not stare back at him. It seems to Yuri that those emeralds are fixed in some distant point beyond his own jet-black eyes. The gold strands covering Wolfram's angelical face tempt Yuri to pick up his hand and remove them while caressing his flustered cheek turning crimson red by the force of the slap and maybe by the unexpected blow but, instead, his voice is heard loud and clear, "What's done is done!" Then he adds while beginning to leave the table, "Wolfram, take your position as host and make sure the celebrations continue." And without any more words, Yuri leaves the reception hall with a firm and confident pace.
Wolfram vows to him while adding, "As you wish your majesty." Once Yuri is away from the table, Wolfram takes his place sitting down at the place of honor scanning the room while absorbing everyone's reactions.
Celi-sama then stands up raising her glass of wine, "Congratulations your Excellency on your engagement to our beloved Maoh!"
Her action is followed by the ten representatives of the nobles' class who chorus in unison, "Congratulations, Lord Wolfram von Bielefeld! You make us proud." Then the rest of the human officials and guests stand up and toast to Yuri's and Wolfram's engagement, each one adding their well wishes and renewing their friendship to the Maoh and his fiancé.
Meanwhile, once Yuri steps out of the reception hall, he picks up his pace until he is running towards his bedchambers. "What was I thinking? There is no turning back now." Finally, Yuri arrives at his chamber and opens the heavy double doors entering into the spacious room.
He is now standing at the large window panting as he tries to regain control over his exerted body. Outside Blood Pledge Castle, the full moon shines high above and a gentle summer breeze caresses the blooming flowers and trees. Yuri sighs his breath is now calm and steady. He sits at the windowsill and leans his head into the glass windows while his onyx-black hair falls on his shoulders. The wispy haircut suits the demon king well. Another sigh and Yuri fixes his gaze on the castle's entrance stairs and with a smile his mind goes back in time.
It was three years ago when he first arrived here at Shin Mazuko. He has no idea that stopping on his way home to help Ken Murata would bring him such an incredible turn of events in his life. But, one thing Yuri hates more than anything is bullies. So he could not help but interfere when he saw three teenagers harassing him. It was not like Murata was his friend or anything. He barely knew the kid from middle school. But it was his sense of justice that made him stop that day. Then everything went so fast. He was flushed down the girls' toilet, an incredible deed, but strange things have been known to happen from time to time. He arrives at Shin Mazuko; Adelbert von Grantz saves him from an angry mob followed by Sir Conrad Weller taking him away from Adelbert with the help of the flying skeletons and bringing him to a cottage where a lilac haired man with violet eyes awaits him. Conrad introduces him as Gunter von Kleist and his trusting advisor since Yuri is supposed to be the Demon King. Later, he parades through town on his way to Covenant Castle, or better known as Blood Pledge Castle, ending by being thrown off a spooked horse at the edge of the Castle's entrance stairs. Yuri lays on the gravel, talking to a man who reins the horse in while his whole body is in pain; although, his buttocks seem to protest the louder.
Then, he hears a high pitch voice saying, "Don't tell me he is the new demon king." As he walks down the stairs it happens, Yuri looks up and finds himself gazing at a slender boy with short and wild shiny blond hair towering above him. The emerald-green eyes glare fiery into Yuri's soul. Yuri remembers at first glance he thought of Wolfram as beautiful, impressive, and majestic on that soldier's blue uniform. He did not see a male or a female, but a person who was beautiful, full of life and passion.
However, the unthinkable happens again. He has not been more than a few hours in Shin Mazuko, still digesting the fact that he was the new Maoh or demon king of this place, when he finds himself engaged to Wolfram. It was all a misunderstanding, a difference of culture, Yuri thought at that moment. Wolfram had the audacity to insult his mother and Yuri reacted the only way a man, or rather a boy of fifteen years of age, in his case should. Well almost because instead of using his fist to hit Wolfram, Yuri slapped him on his left cheek. His reasoning was that Wolfram has such a beautiful face that he could not bring himself to hit him. So he slapped him instead. He was so proud of himself he had defended his mother's honor and, at the same time, preserved the beauty of that angelic face. It had been a private affair only with Wolfram's brothers and mother along with Gunter were present; although, by the next day, the whole kingdom knew about his so called engagement. Why was it that no one focused on the challenge to a duel that just seconds after the proposal ensued?
Yuri sighs again as he gets ready to move away from the windowsill. "What a mess? No one's fault but your own, Yuri Shibuya." The Maoh scolds himself as he begins to remove his formal attire while looking for his favorite blue pajamas. Yuri thought of himself as an adult now that he has reached the legal age of eighteen, the main reason for today's celebrations. Well according to Mazuko's customs, he had reached the age of consent when he turned sixteen and Gunter had made such a fuss preparing for the celebration; however, today's was different because his parents had assisted with this celebration. It was a compromise between his duties as Maoh and his duties to his family. In the human world back on Earth, he just finished high school and passed his entrance exams to the University of Tokyo in Japan. In Shin Mazuko, he is forced to entertain official dignitaries from the various countries that have allied themselves to the Mazuko during those bleak days when he first become Maoh. After two years of constant fear of large-scale war and unrest among humans and mazukos, this was the first year that peaceful times were experienced through this world. His mother had put her foot down and ordered him to celebrate his birthday with his family since he soon would be gone to the university and who knows maybe from this world too permanently. So Yuri agreed on the celebration but asked his family to join him back at Covenant Castle in Shin Mazuko; his mother was delighted and the whole family came to celebrate his birthday and, now, his engagement it seems.
Yuri finishes changing his clothes and drops into the large king size bed supported by four large posts forming a canopy from which richly decorated green with gold trim drapes hung to provide privacy when drawn closed. Looking outside the window into the black velvety sky full of glimmering diamonds, Yuri thinks of his family. He knows no one in his family would be outraged by the turn of events. Yuri knows well how much his mother loves Wolfram and how disappointed she was when he told her his engagement to Wolfram was officially annulled after two years of dragging on with that embarrassing issue. Just last year, Yuri told Wolfram that he has never taken seriously the engagement while throwing into his face the official document that Wolfram himself has wrote almost a year before breaking the engagement. Yuri buries his face under the soft pillow that lays on his comfortable bed as he tries in vain to dissipate the flooding images of that day.
Yuri was seventeen years old and having a great time on Earth as he strives to finish with good marks his high school senior year. He just arrived at Blood Pledge Castle via the garden's fountain. Yuri has become an expert on traveling between worlds through water and now he can chose where to land and how to land. Often he comes directly to the garden fountain since Greta loves eating outside with Wolfram at this particular spot. And as always, he is received by a screaming Wolfram accusing him of cheating and not honoring his engagement; and as always, Yuri chooses to ignore the neurotic blond and focuses on his beautiful brown curly hair, brown eyed adopted daughter.
"Greta! Are you having a good time?" Yuri grabs the towel handed by Wolfram to dry his hair and face as he eyes the young woman approaching him. She has grown so much since last he saw her. She stands at five feet tall and has waist long brown curly hair.
"Yeah! Papa Wolfram just finished reviewing my school marks and we are having tea in the garden. I missed you, daddy." The young twelve years old human girl tiptoes to reach Yuri's cheek and plants a soft kiss with a smile.
Wolfram looks proud at his and Yuri's child. She is flourishing as a young woman, and she is just as smart as him, nothing to do with that wimp. She looks so petite and slender compared to Yuri who now stands at six feet tall looking so ravishing with his shoulders length black hair in that wispy hair cut fashion and his black school uniform or kingly regalia as it is considered over here at Shin Mazuko.
Yuri now kisses his daughter on her forehead while adding, "Let's go and have some tea then."
The family of three moves to the table set up outside in the castle's garden. After awhile, Greta excuses herself to go and finish her homework. Yuri takes the opportunity to go into his office followed by a silent Wolfram. Wolfram has an uneasy feeling. There was something different about Yuri today not only that hair style, which he had only seen whenever Yuri turned into the Maoh, and the fact that he had grown taller over the few months they have not seen each other, but there was something else that made Yuri look different. Wolfram could not pin point this subtle yet latent difference. So he had opted to walk in silence for a change next to Yuri. They arrive at the office where a disgruntled Gwendal awaited, sitting on the desk. Gunter, as always, came running to welcome him while hugging him in a tight embrace that more than ever felt uncomfortable to Yuri since he now stood almost as tall as Grunter and he could feel Gunter's breath on his face. Conrad stood in the shadows far left from Gwendal. Yuri made an effort and gently pushes Gunter away while adding, "I think I'm too old for your bear hugs, Gunter."
"Your majesty!" Gunter sounded hurt.
Ignoring the lilac haired man, Yuri walks towards Gwendal and Conrad and bowing slightly, "Good afternoon, Gwendal! I hope my absence did not bring too much of a burden to you." Gwendal looks up a little taken aback by the salutation from Yuri.
Then bowing with a smile, Yuri faces Conrad, his godfather, "I hope you've been well."
Conrad smiles slightly and answers proudly, "Everything is wonderful now that your majesty is here to assume his duties."
Gwendal snorts as he adds, "The amount of paper work is triple from your usual since this time you took too long to comeback, majesty."
Standing next to Gwendal, Yuri adds, "Well, let's get to work then."
Gwendal gets up from the desk and looks at Yuri suspiciously, "That's a change."
Yuri grins, "I think I'm going to make some changes starting now." Then turning to face everyone in front of him he continues, "First, Gunter, you have to stop hugging me every time you see me. I think a slight bow would suffice or just a greeting, nothing formal. I'm still Yuri. But foremost, Wolfram, I think is time we settle this engagement matter."
Wolfram tightens his jaw as he braces himself for the blow he has been anxiously waiting for the past two years. He had hope against hope but, at the end, he knew there was not the slightest chance Yuri would return his feelings.
"You know, Wolfram, when I first proposed I had no idea what I was doing. All I was thinking was that you had insulted my mother and, back on Earth, such an insult can only be settled with a fist. So, why don't we call it a misunderstanding based on the difference in culture?"
At this time, Yuri gets out of his uniform inside pocket a paper sealed in a plastic cover, throwing it at him. "Furthermore, you yourself called off the engagement officially since that's your handwriting and signature; therefore, I think it is time you stopped behaving so childishly, pretending we are still engaged." Yuri's grin widens even further. He is so proud of himself; it is his senior year, he is seventeen and he has a great life ahead of himself. In this life, there is no room for male on male romances, but only the sweet scent of females' charms and his studies, of course, without forgetting his kingly duties.
Yuri looks straight at Wolfram then an ache on his stomach takes hold of him. He has seen Wolfram's painful look. Then, a sudden realization hits Yuri. Wolfram would leave the castle immediately. He could not allow Wolfram to leave. Yuri needs Wolfram by his side. He has been his faithful companion for the past two years; sure, Wolfram, now, is hurt. No, it's more like his pride been shattered. But he would get over it after awhile. Yuri was sure of that. He and Wolfram share a deep connection, camaraderie like Yozak and Conrad. So, he thinks quickly and adds, "And before you think of leaving Blood Pledge Castle, I'm ordering you to become my personal bodyguard. So you're forbidden to leave my side." There! He just made his first official command all by himself.
Everyone's jaw dropped to the floor in astonishment by the bold decision. Wolfram only bows slightly; he felt sick to his stomach. He wanted to run and crawl into the deepest hole he could find. But he was a soldier; furthermore, he was a Von Bielefeld and thus proud and bound to serve the Maoh, "As you wish your majesty, I'll take my leave to make arrangements for my new position."
"Okay!" Yuri answers excitedly, intoxicated by the new found power of making commands on his own.
Yuri sighs once more, throwing the pillow away. It was no use. Then he turns to the bureau next to the bed to grab a glass to drink some water. His lips felt dry all of the sudden. "Why did I do it in such a public manner? There is no turning back, Yuri Shibuya." Yuri drinks the cold water refreshing his throat and parched lips.
The door to the bedroom opens slowly. Yuri's back is towards the door; he holds the almost empty glass of water on his right hand while sitting on the edge of the bed. Yuri knows who is standing at the doorway. He could recognize the warm scent anywhere. He is so used to it. Then exhaling a puff of air, he turns to face Wolfram with a smile, "Are the celebrations over?"
Wolfram moves slowly toward the bed as he adds, "Yes, all the guests have retired for the night. Gunter is preparing a royal engagement breakfast for tomorrow, your majesty." Wolfram now stands at the opposite end of the bed from Yuri. He is wearing his military uniform. Yuri gazes at Wolfram and hates the way he looks. Wolfram's fiery emeralds have lost their brightness and his shiny, soft hair looks lifeless. Something else, too, the passion on his face, in his whole body, is gone. Yuri now turns away he cannot stand the way Wolfram looks. Then getting into the covers, he asks, "Are you coming to bed now? After all, knowing Gunter, I'm sure we have a hard day ahead of us tomorrow."
"As you wish, your majesty" It is all Wolfram says. The statement comes out automatically, no feelings, no thoughtful response-- just the automatic statement. The same statement he has been repeating like a robot for the past year or so with slightly variations. Wolfram now takes his leave and comes back a little later holding a small suitcase. Then he changes his clothes to a more comfortable pair of green silk pajamas.
Yuri feels the bed deepening as Wolfram takes his usual spot. He turns to face Wolfram. He wants to gaze into the emerald eyes. Maybe the brightness has come back. But all he sees is Wolfram's back and something different. Where is the pink negligee Wolfram always wears to bed? Yuri is about to ask wolfram why he is wearing pajamas instead of that cute pink negligee he is so fond of but, instead, he bites his lips and turns around. Maybe tomorrow he would ask him. Tonight, he needs to sleep.
This time, Yuri is the one tossing and turning on the bed. After a few minutes, Yuri gets up from the bed and starts pacing the room then with a sudden turn he walks towards where Wolfram lays sleeping and kneels besides him. He whispers, "I'm sorry, Wolfram. I put you on the spot. I wanted to discuss it with you first before I proposed in front of the whole world. But what do you know? I'm a wimp. It was an idea that had been forming in my mind for quite some time."
Then, sitting on the floor, Yuri continues, "It all started a few weeks after we officially broke off our engagement or rather I rudely reminded you of you officially breaking it. I guess I never apologized for that, too."
Yuri now passes his fingers through his long hair nervously while a grin is plastered on his face. "What I mean, Wolfram, is not that I don't love you. I do. I honestly do…but not the way you want me to love you…but I do love you. What are you saying, Yuri Shibuya? No wonder Wolfram thinks you're a wimp. Okay! Here is the deal, Wolfram. While we were engaged, I did not have to deal with any marriage alliances or anyone trying to force their daughters on me. The only thing I had to deal with was your constant jealousy and calling me a cheater. But now that I think about it, after the first year, you stopped hassling me about it too much. What am I saying? I'm way off topic here. Anyway, as I was saying… Once it was known we were no longer engaged, all our allies began to send their daughters to me in the hopes that one of them would catch my eye and make a marriage alliance. At first, it was fun. I enjoyed the attention of the ladies. There were some lookers in the bunch, some hot ladies. But, I was not interested in getting married or having a girlfriend or anything at the time. Well, if truth be told, I'm still not ready to be hitched, if you catch my meaning. I'm doing it again. The point is that as my eighteenth birthday approaches some of our allies are beginning to put some pressure on me. And the more I thought about it, the more I knew that even if, for some forsaken reason, I was able to fall in love with any of them, it was not for the good of Shin Mazuko, or a sure way to ensure peace among our neighboring nations or allies. The same applies for any mazuko candidate other than you. The ten aristocrats love you. Hell! They wanted you to be the Maoh at one time, remember? I even thought of getting engaged to someone else from Earth and bringing her here. But it wouldn't be fair for that person even if we were in a deep love relationship; although, I wonder."
Yuri hits his forehead once more while adding, "I'm really a wimp. So, after much careful thought, I concluded that you were the only suitable candidate that would satisfy everyone, including me."
There Yuri was satisfied. "Why me you ask? Good question! Because you are my comrade, we are just like Conrad and Yozak. I would truly appreciate it if you reined in the jealous side of you. It doesn't suit you and is totally annoying. And while we are on the subject, what was up with your new attitude… all formal and stuff? I want back the old you. I hate the new you. You are like a ghost… like a dead ghost and I hate it."
Yuri falls silent for awhile listening to Wolfram's almost inaudible breathing. Wolfram has changed. He used to snore so loudly that it almost kept Yuri awake most of the time, but now Wolfram was like a dead body barely moving from the spot he had been sleeping in for the past few hours and his breathing almost not there. Yuri sighs once more and gets up from the floor then turns to gaze at Wolfram once more then with a slight bow he adds, "Forgive me, Wolfram, for not asking you in private if you would help me with my dilemma instead of forcing you to accept the engagement in such a public manner. I did not plan it like that. I was forced by that annoying brunette sitting next to me. Would you believe that she actually grabbed my private parts under the table? So, instead of slapping her face, I guess I slapped you."
TBC
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Kyo Kara Maoh! that totally and unashamedly appeared on this fan fiction. They are the product of Tomo Takabayashi and Temari Matsumoto's wonderful imagination and art. However, the plot is totally my selfish desired to get some romantic thrills, which are only alluded to or implied, on their creative work.
Author's Notes: I want to give a profuse thanks to ARPAGO who offer to beta Yuri's Treasure for me. I like to add that she was a goddess send since I'm aware what a poor editor I am. So, I'm totally convinced that one of the nine Muses send her for Kyo Kara Maoh! Sakes since she saw my proofreading skills and almost faint horrify of them. After all, ARPAGO and I share the same first name.
