Love, Anonymous
Chapter Two
Disclaimer – I own nothing.
A/N – This chapter is dedicated to Mister-Wombat, MostlyLovely, pikeebo, sinful ang3l, TheDarkTraveller, ashantelle1830, IllusionAri, hottee39, kotori-chan88, kokoro192, Tenshi no Nanimo, chocowilliams, Yuuram88, eclst, ladyaymie, tenshi-gosuperu, priestessmykala, xYaoiGirlx, Eveliina92, vantea, juntomatsu, Cheska Hayden Elmore, tensai11, littlemisssweetheart, Jess Anime, 7blackrose and BlackYaoiKit. Thank you all for reviewing! And last but not least, my sister, arushi, for encouraging me to write and cooking for me as I wrote this. She's much more of a writer than me. I can't believe that she was the one who got the lesser number of reviews.
It's not that I don't appreciate the fact that people put this story on their alert and favourite lists, but I'd really like to hear from those of you who didn't review. I just want some feedback.
I'm sorry if the last chapter was confusing. If you didn't already figure it out, the part after Wolfram thanks his mother is a conversation between other people. When I read it on this site, it seemed like it was the same conversation. For some reason had deleted all the line breakers I had made. Any ideas on how to get a line breaker in?
Thank you so much for the reviews, it really meant a lot.
Well, I won't bore you, so I'll start off with the story.
Yuuri headed down the stairs, towards Gwendal's study. He was supposed to have been there five minutes ago. He groaned at the thought of the huge stack of papers he was to sign. Hopefully he would be forgiven for his lateness if he did the work quickly enough.
The memory of the recent events made him stop in his tracks. His dark hair came down over his face, obscuring his eyes. Wolfram… hopefully he would forgive him for leading him on, for making him believe that there was still hope. Maybe they could still have that same feeling of carefree fun when in each other's presence that they used to. Except without the constant expectations of love from him.
Come to think of it, I haven't seen him since morning… I hope he's doing fine.
Then, remembering the stack of papers that were probably piled up neatly for him, just waiting to be signed, he ran to his destination. He stopped outside the door, chest heaving, and peered inside. To his surprise, Günter was there, talking to Gwendal. What got his attention even more was the way they were talking… it was as if they were scared of someone hearing them. Yuuri knew that he should probably mind his own business, but he couldn't resist; he leaned closer.
That's odd, he thought, Günter was supposed to come after an hour to teach me history… did I mistake the time or some –
His train of thought was interrupted by Gwendal's sharp voice.
'It cannot be true.'
'It is,' Günter pressed on, 'Doria has seen it first hand. Wolfram has received a letter from a secret admirer. By the expression on Wolfram's face, she…'
Yuuri drowned everything else out. Wolfram? Secret admirer? Unbidden, a feeling of intense, hot jealousy swept through him, almost choking him. He was dimly aware of the fact that the occupants of the room had realized that he was there, and were looking at him, as if afraid of him to erupt like Wolfram used to. He pushed down all of the anger and jealousy. He needed to know what had happened.
Wolfram… you wouldn't…
Yuuri couldn't believe his ears. He stood there, stock still, looking at Gunter for some kind of explanation. His eyes begged to be told that this was not true, that it was some kind of practical joke… it had to be. No one could like Wolfram while he was still here… he was his fiancé, wasn't he?
He's not anymore, he thought dully, I was the one who made sure of that.
'Your Majesty…' started Günter, after an awkward pause, 'there is no need to worry. There is no proof that Wolfram has been in contact with this… traitor, or has heard from him before today. There is no need to trouble yourself. Gwendal will see to it that this person is found.'
Yuuri did not respond. He couldn't. He looked at Gwendal with huge, unbelieving eyes. Gwendal was still working out what to do if… no, when this person was found. Nevertheless, he responded to the king's quiet plea of comfort.
'You do not need to concern yourself, your majesty. I'm sure my brother would not so much as think of doing something so lowly as courting someone else while he is engaged to you –'
'That's the problem,' Yuuri said softly.
'And what is that supposed to mean?' asked Gwendal sharply.
Yuuri looked at the floor. His mouth suddenly went dry.
'I think I broke my engagement with Wolfram yesterday,' he said, still refusing to meet Gwendal's eye. How could he have been so blind? He couldn't bear to think of Wolfram with someone else. Why did he have to realize his feelings only now? When it was too late to do anything?
'You think?' asked Gwendal angrily.
Yuuri finally looked up, 'What on earth am I supposed to do?'
Yuuri assumed that Gwendal understood that he regretted what he had done. He did, but he wasn't about to forgive Yuuri for hurting his brother yet. He couldn't do anything but stare at him. He could barely believe his own ears… no, it could not be. That he, the greatest king to have ever lived since the time of Shinou himself, who was renowned for his kindness, generosity and wisdom, would do something as foolish as to throw away the most precious thing that was ever given to him? But on the other hand, it wasn't like he had realized Wolfram's worth before now…
But Yuuri was extremely upset.
Well, he should be, he thought sourly, he's been stupider than I would have believed possible. And if he, the one who broke the engagement, is in this condition, Shinou knows what Wolfram is like.
Comforting him, however, was not his area of expertise. Celi probably went to talk to him, and in any case, he wasn't great shakes at giving personal advice. In fact, he was downright terrible. The last time he had tried giving advice to Wolfram, he had ended up doing him more harm than good. And that was back when Wolfram was barely twenty years old and was still young and obedient enough to listen to his elder brother's words. Shinou knew that Wolfram would never take his advice now. That job was better off left to their mother.
Wolfram's room
It was almost noon, and Wolfram was famished. He hadn't left his room since he had come there the previous night, simply because he couldn't bear the thought of going outside. The news had probably spread all over the castle by now. In fact, the whole kingdom would know about the mysterious letter, if the maids were quick enough. Gossip spread like wildfire in the Demon Kingdom. He could imagine clearly what would happen if he stepped out of the room – whispers following him wherever he went, maids giggling loudly and obviously, people muttering about his infidelity and hypocrisy, his brother's concerned looks, his mother's sympathetic one…
It's just as good that no one enters here, he thought, they probably think I'm in Yuuri's room, with him jealous and fuming. Like he cares that much. After all, no one knows I'm staying here except Mother and Doria, and that's because Mother sent her. They probably all think that I'm still engaged to…
He couldn't bear to think further. He was hungry, tired and emotionally drained. The sleep hadn't done him much good. His eyes fell on the letter. An extra load on his already complicated life. The letter was oddly beautiful, with the writing neat and elegant, slanting ever so subtly to the right – written in ink that was blood red, gleaming on the faded white parchment – the mysterious signature seemed to magnify the letter's charisma a thousand fold. Love, Anonymous.
Who are you?
He was saved from another hour of thinking about the various possibilities by a loud knock on the door. He didn't bother answering. If it was really that important, they wouldn't wait for an answer.
'Wolfie?'
Wolfram stood up. That was Celi's voice. He had completely forgotten about his mother's promise of a conversation. The door swung open.
'Mother?' he asked. Celi stood at the door, with some food in her hand. Looking at him made her nearly drop it. Her normally immaculate son was a complete mess. His blonde hair was messed up and dirty while his clothes were wrinkled. The most shocking aspect of him were his eyes… his beautiful emerald green eyes, which used to always shine with a passion that made them so uniquely his… were bloodshot, and looked dull and dead.
Wolfram… what have you done to yourself?
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but then shut it, and ran to her son and enveloped him in a hug, nearly knocking him over. She thrust the food into his numb hands.
'I've been so worried… as if your problems with his majesty aren't enough… that idiotic letter writer… what was he thinking –? So worried… you're probably half dead with hunger, you poor thing, you haven't come down since morning… you should take care of yourself better, Wolfie, it's not going to help if you starve yourself to death –'
'Thank you for coming, Mother.'
Celi stopped talking, and smiled at him, her eyes wet. Wolfram suddenly realized that she wasn't the only one who was crying. Hurriedly wiping the tears from his face to prevent the little pride he had left from leaving him, he set the tray down on a table.
True warriors never cry, he told himself. He had been repeating the same mantra over and over in his head ever since Conrad had entered the army. He had always wanted to join him, to fight by his side. Conrad never seemed to cry, and remained stoic even at Julia's death. Wolfram had believed it nearly impossible, and to him his brother was the epitome of a great warrior. He had always wanted to be like him. Not that Wolfram had ever told him this. He had a feeling Conrad just… understood.
He gestured towards one of the chairs that were leaning against the wall. Thick beams of sunlight entered the room through high, arched windows, colouring the room a rich, dazzling shade of gold.
'So, do I have your permission to look at the letter?' she asked.
Wolfram gave her a barely perceptible nod, his throat too constricted to speak. Celi gave him a fleeting, worried look before unfolding the letter. Her eyes skimmed across the page, taking everything in. After finishing it, she looked up at Wolfram.
'So, did you get any leads on who it is? And don't bother denying thinking about it, you don't have much to do in here,' she said, as he opened his mouth to argue.
He sighed, 'I've thought of everyone… but they're all impossible. First of all, hardly anyone even knew that I was here. And the people who did are all related to me, except Yuuri and Doria. And Yuuri wouldn't have sent it; he could have told me anything he wanted to yesterday. And Doria wouldn't have looked so shocked to see me with it if she had sent it.' He paused for a minute to think about other possibilities, but then shook his head.
'Just who could it be?'
'Well, Wolfram,' she said, 'you are not giving the people in the castle enough credit. They probably all know about your staying here in this room. And the reason behind it.' She tactfully avoided stating the facts directly. Wolfram noticed this, but didn't comment.
'Then why didn't anyone come to my room to call me for breakfast? If I knew everyone were already aware of my condition, I wouldn't have bothered hiding here like some kind of criminal.'
'Is that what you were doing?' Celi asked. Wolfram had never been one to hide from other people in fear of what they might think. He had always been refreshingly bold. This change in him showed just how much in his life had gone wrong. She shook her head sadly, 'You know how you are. They were scared that you would burn them alive on the spot.'
'Well, if they are so well aware of my personal life, they should also know by now that I barely have the strength to lift a finger, let alone summon fire.'
Celi smiled at the brief flicker of emotion in his eyes.
'Is there anything that you wish to tell me? Anything that you might have not mentioned?'
'Well… there is, actually,' said Wolfram.
Celi looked at him appraisingly. His posture was submissive, and he was nervously playing with his fingers. She knew that this was going to be a sensitive topic.
'Yuuri renounced our engagement yesterday.'
Celi couldn't believe him. How could he? Didn't he realize what he was putting Wolfram through? Well, he probably didn't, the king was a naturally kind person, and he wouldn't want to inflict pain on anyone, no matter who they were. But right now her concern was to comfort Wolfram.
'It's alright, Wolfie,' she said gently, 'forget about it. That chapter of your life is past. You should make a fresh start, maybe the letter –'
'No, Mother.'
Celi hadn't expected him to respond enthusiastically, but she sighed nevertheless, 'What do you want to do? I can only advise you, but this decision… is entirely your own.'
'Thank you.' He paused for a moment, as if unsure of what to do with himself, 'I… it's as if my whole life has been turned upside down and inside out. It's like nothing is stable anymore, and I can't depend on anyone…'
'Oh Wolfram…' Celi put a comforting arm around his shoulders.
'And,' he continued, gaining control of his voice again, 'I don't think I'm ready to just… forget him. I know that it is over, but I have no intention of replying to the letter now, or anytime in the future.'
'Well, I must say, whoever is to get you in the end will be a lucky person indeed.'
Wolfram smiled weakly. Talking to Celi made him release some of his pent up emotions.
'Thanks.'
'Well, I'll go now. You should get out of this room, its getting stuffy here. Eat and come downstairs to meet everyone. Prolonging the confrontation will make it worse.'
'Yes, of course. I'll be there.'
'Well then,' she said, rising from her chair, 'I'll see you soon.'
Wolfram too got up, 'Right,' he said, 'I'll be down in an hour. I just need to get a few things in order.' They walked to the door together. Celi walked out, closing the door silently behind her.
Wolfram couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive, but he knew that Celi was right. He had to face them sometime, and it was better done sooner than later. He looked at himself in the mirror, and grimaced. Well, he had better get started, then.
Gwendal's study –
Gwendal sighed.
'I take it that you have realized your feelings for him now?'
Yuuri didn't hesitate, 'Yes.'
'And that you want him back?'
'Yes.'
'Well, frankly, I'm surprised that you don't know what to do yet,' Gwendal said. Yuuri's heart skipped a beat.
'Really? What?'
'Well, talk to him of course,' Gwendal replied, 'it is the most effective way. You should go now. You may sign these papers later.'
Yuuri stammered a hurried thanks and half ran out of the room.
'Well, Gwendal, you are getting better at giving advice,' Gunter said.
'It was the only, and plainly obvious solution,' he replied, 'and now, if there is not any more gossip about my brother, I shall get back to work.' With that, he picked up his quill and started to write.
Gunter smiled. Even if Gwendal tried to hide it, he really did care for Yuuri and Wolfram's happiness.
The Castle Grounds –
'It did get a reaction, but it is not at all satisfactory.'
'That is true. We need new ideas.'
'I have one. In addition to the original plan, we can do something else…'
'Do you have anything particular in mind?'
'As a matter of fact,' he said, smiling deviously, 'I do. All we need is a little grease.'
Wolfram's room –
He was ready. Taking deep breaths to steady himself, Wolfram double checked his appearance. Satisfied, he opened the door, and heard a loud noise. He looked around for the source of the commotion, and saw a certain double black racing towards him. His eyes widened.
'Wolfram!' Yuuri shouted, 'I'm –'
He did not have the time to complete his sentence, because he slipped on some slippery, black liquid lying in his path and fell right through a door that was next to Wolfram's room. How that substance got there was not Wolfram's concern. Right now, he had to help Yuuri. He ran after him. Personal matters notwithstanding, Yuuri was his king, and it was his duty to protect him.
'YUURI!'
Wolfram grabbed his hand just before he fell. He did not, however, have time to brace himself for the force of Yuuri's fall, and got pulled in with him. They both fell into the room and down the stairs. To both of their horror, the ceiling collapsed on the stairs, trapping them in a tiny room, hardly bigger than a good sized broom cupboard.
They both had the same thought running through their mind.
This is not good.
A/N – Well? How was it? And as before, please, please review. The more the reviews, the faster I write the story. I get more motivated, you see.
Thanks for reading!
