Chapter 2.
Yuri turned restlessly in bed. He was trying to get back to sleep since it was not yet dawn. Unfortunately for him, it was hard for him to fall back asleep thanks to a nightmare. He actually had creepy nightmares regarding the chat that he had with his teammates! How unbelievable.
Why does it bother me? Yuri wondered for the hundredth times. Nothing might come out of it. If I'm lucky, they might forgot all about it. Heck, if worst comes to worst, I'll just hire someone to pose as the girlfriend for the day.
Yuri sighed heavily.
No way… Yuri frowned grimly. When it comes to the intimate part, I'm not even a good actor. That is like asking a disaster to happen. I won't even know what to do with her. I never even have a serious girlfriend before! And to be honest, I don't want just some girl, I only want Conrad …. How foolish and selfish of me.
Yuri turned and gazed at the night sky.
Won't it be easier, If Conrad can be a woman? Yuri thought with amusement. Then I won't have any trouble finding the girl.
Yuri snickered and turn away from the window, hoping to catch a few hours of sleep. He was greeted with the sight of Conrad sleeping peacefully and soundlessly next to him. Yuri smiled softly.
He and Conrad had been together after he broke his accidental engagement with Wolfram. It wasn't planned or anything… It just sort of happened. It was awkward to say the least. It was his first ever real relationship. There was a lot of first timer involved and he was testing waters.
But now here they are, Conrad was lying beside him.
It took a while for Yuri to realize that they were both naked under the covers.
Thinking about what they had been doing makes him smile sheepishly. The – ahem – sex had been very passionate. Neither of them was holding back. The moment Yuri had Conrad alone in his bedroom, he was all attacking Conrad with a zest. His mouth had taken possession of Conrads and the way he moved had makes his blood boiled. It was difficult to go slow when Conrad himself was impatient as he was! Both were mindless in everything except pleasuring each other. And it was one hell of a pleasure too.
Yuri had blamed it on their short separation while he was Earth bound. But, lets be honest... he is completely crazy for his Captain of the Guards!
Yuri hand traces the contour of Conrad's face. It was a light barely touching touches so as to not disturb Conrad's sleep. Yuri had mused that he didn't think he could live a long life without Conrad by his side. Even the notion of him not present in his life was unbearable.
Yuri sighed again for the last time. Getting out of bed, Yuri put on some clothes and left his chambers to get an early stroll.
. . . . . . . .
Yuri wondered aimlessly through the castle, taking a break from his never ending paperwork. He was not into it as he should be. Gunter had lectured him and said he really need to focus on his studies, Wolfram kept accusing him about one thing or another, even Gwendal was thoroughly irritated with him because his mind keep straying elsewhere when he should be busy with his duties.
In the end, Yuri decided to take a walk to clear his head.
Yuri turned into a corner and the next thing he knew, Yuri had collided with Conrad, and would fall flat on the floor if it wasn't for Conrad's good reflexes. Yuri smiled cheerfully at his lover and Conrad was looking at him with amusement – but Yuri wasn't fooled. He could detect a hint of worry in Conrad's eyes. He must have worried all his retainers with his constant spacing out.
"We have to stop meeting like this." said Yuri teasingly.
Conrad smiled his infamous smile said mischievously, "Bumping into each other or meeting in secret?"
"What do you think?" said Yuri smirking and straightening himself up.
Before they could do anything else, there was a laud boom resonated somewhere near them, and a moment later, smokes can be coming out of Annisina's invention room window. Shortly after, they heard Annisina calling out to Gwendal. Startled, Yuri exchanged glance with Conrad and they both hurried towards Annisina's room. They hardly ran to the end of the corridor when Yuri saw Gwendal flee on the second floor at an alarming speed. What had caught their attention was that Gwendal's hair was blond?
Yuri's jaw dropped and he gaped at the sight before immediately covering his mouth, his body shaking with laughter. Beside him, Conrad was no better as he was openly snickering at his brother's predicament. They both straighten up when Annisina suddenly passes them by.
"Greetings Your Majesty, Conrad." Annisina greeted them when she saw them, coming to a halt. "Have you seen Gwendal by any chance?"
Conrad and Yuri shook their heads wearily for fear that they'll be the next guinea pig when they saw that Annisina had that irritated demeanour with a frustrated glint in her eyes to match.
"Any idea where can I find him?" Annisina persisted.
Yuri chooses to ignore her question and ask her instead, taking pity on Gwendal, and hoping to distract her. The eldest of three brothers have enough on his plate without Annisina shenanigan adding into the mix. "What are you inventing Annisina?"
Annisina reaction is what Yuri had hoped for. She eyes widened in excitement and she beamed. She told them eagerly.
"Oh Your Majesty, glad you asked. I'm creating something for your benefit. I'm inventing another solution that could help you in your espionage better. It's a thing that could turn a person's original hair colour into a different colour –"
"You mean like a hair dyed?" Yuri interrupted her.
Annisina blinked. "A What?"
"On Earth, there is a product that did the same thing. Although, it only lasted for a short term," Yuri explained.
Conrad choose this moment to interject, "How exactly will this product be of His Majesty benefit?" asked Conrad, sceptically.
Annisina was more than happy to elaborate. "Well I thought that if His Majesty wanted to go somewhere but don't want to draw attention to himself, this invention would be very helpful. As I said, this creation can change a person's hair colour into something than the original colour. If His Majesty's hair is not black, then no one will suspect that he is The Demon King."
"We already have hair wig for that." Conrad groused, his eyebrow twitched.
Yuri was eyeing Conrad and Annisina questionably. Is it just him or is there some tension between the two?
"I know that. But a wig was never very secure. What happens if someone grabbed his hair or it was blown away by the wind?" Annisina retorted edgily.
Conrad replied back without missing a beat, his tone sharp. "What happens if something unexpected happens and the only way to identify a person's true identity is by his features?"
Annisina growled. "What if-"
"Guys!" Yuri interjected as he pushed Conrad and Annisina apart firmly. They both have somehow gotten close to spitting at the other and were glaring like nobody's business.
"This is certainly a sensitive issue." muttered Yuri to himself. He stared at them sharply when he saw that they were about to continue their argument. Yuri don't know what their problem was, but he was not going to let them screaming on the corridor.
They both were still bristling and Yuri had to step between them, least they lash out. Turning to Annisina, Yuri said, "Conrad has a point. Will it be permanent? For someone like me, black hair determines a person status. How will that problem be dealt with?"
"It will not be permanent. The hair alteration – that's what I'm going to call it for now – will fades in a few days. As for your last question, I was thinking, perhaps; of a tight security or strict rules for anyone other than yourself who wish to change their hair colour. The colour black, I think, should be forbidden or not allowed all together unless they have permission from you."
Yuri's face tilted slightly to the side. "And if I need to be identified by the other royalties immediately?"
Annisina's face scrunched up, looking thoughtful with her finger resting on her chin. "It is still work in progress. The exact time of how long this solution will last have not completely be determine yet. Which is why I need Gwendal. I was in the middle of improving it."
Yuri nodded and he guided Annisina to the direction of her invention room. "The idea has merit. But the product, while no doubt helpful could also be dangerous with wrong intention. I suggest you think about it thoroughly and update me on the outcome." After a pause, Yuri hastily added "And do change Gwendal hair back. Blond isn't his colour."
Once Annisina is gone, Yuri turned to Conrad. "What was that about? Don't tell me you are still angry at her for whatever belonging of yours that she lost months ago?"
"That rubber ducky was my most priceless treasure." said Conrad tensely.
"A rubber ducky?!" Yuri spluttered in shock. He blinked as he gaped for a full minute before he was capable of any eloquent speech. "That's it?!"
Conrad turned his face away in embarrassment and didn't commented.
Yuri sighed and shook his head but dropped the subject. Really… still holding a grudge over a rubber ducky?
Just what so special about that rubber ducky? Thought Yuri flabbergasted.
Yuri and Conrad were walking in the garden when they were join by Murata.
"Hello, Murata. Where have you been all morning? I haven't seen you at breakfast?" Yuri greeted him amiably.
"Good Afternoon Shibuya, Lord Weller," Murata replied as he came to a halt in front of them. "I was visiting the temple and had a little chat while I was there."
Yuri smiled and he chuckled. "I hope the priestess is not planning anything," Yuri teased edgily, his eyes narrowed. "I'm not in the best mood for any of their schemes."
"You don't say," Murata grumbled dryly. "No. I wasn't with Ulrike. I was with Shinou."
"Really? Anything significant?" Yuri asked his advisor casually.
Murata shook his head. "Nothing of importance. But your problem was accidentally brought up," Murata told him shrugging. Yuri eyes widened.
"You told him that?" said Yuri, dismayed.
"He already knew. It was he who was casually musing about it," Murata quickly said.
That somehow makes Yuri paled. "Casually," Yuri exclaimed in disbelief. "And?"
"He passed it off as trivial," Murata answered him apologetically. "But he did looked mightily amused."
Yuri slapped his hand over his eyes and he groaned in distress. "Trivial," Yuri grumbled unhappy. "Trivial he said..."
Murata sweatdropped. "Yeah."
"What problem?" asked Conrad in confusion.
Murata looked at Yuri with an eyebrow raised. "You didn't tell him?"
"I thought you said it wasn't a big deal?" Yuri mumbled dryly.
"Tell me what?" asked Conrad looking between the two double black.
Murata looked at Yuri with narrowed eyes but Yuri was steadfastly looking at anywhere but his two companions. Murata sighed. "Well Lord Weller, Shibuya here found himself in a predicament when our teammates asked about whether or not he was seeing someone. He said yes and describes you vaguely to them. They assume that Shibuya was talking about a woman. To make things more complicated, they express the desire to meet her. So now Shibuya is running himself with worry since he is convince that the gang won't let him off until they get to meet the girlfriend." explained Murata.
Understanding dawned on Conrad at the implication and he looked at Yuri sympathetically.
Yuri hands curled with Conrad and he squeeze in apology. "So what now?"
"We go back to Japan. Except this time, you're coming with us, Lord Weller."
Hearing that, Yuri rounded to Murata in alarm. "He is? Why?"
Murata could only shrug. "You have to ask that to Shinou. He just said so."
. . . . . . . .
"Tell me this again… why am I playing this?" asked Yuri deadpanned.
They were all sitting at the Shibuya's living room. All heads bent together to solve the puzzle that they are playing in front of them. Well, only he, Murata, who was staying over the night, and Yuri's dad, Shoma Shibuya, was playing. Yuri was actually force to play much to his displeasure. He isn't fond of puzzle. With all the things with balancing a normal life and being a king the next, playing puzzle is the last thing he ever wanted. Jennifer was busy in the kitchen, Shori just lean against the wall and was watching them while Conrad just sits quietly beside Yuri, hands tangle with each other. Something that didn't escape the Shibuya's eyes.
"If I didn't drag you into this, you will still be thinking about your girlfriend problem. And in all honesty, I'm beginning to have a headache since you seem to ramble non-stop since this afternoon." said Murata, bored.
"Oh really.." said Yuri, his voice have a hint of sarcasm. "..Well forgive me if I intent on finding a solution to this hectic problem of mine."
"Need I remind you that you might be worrying over nothing? If you're that troubled by it, why not just admit to them you're gay?" Murata muttered hotly, feeling irritated.
"Who is the one that took a whole day telling me that is bad to admit it in the first place!" Yuri was yelling by the end of the sentence.
"Yuri!" said Conrad. His hand is gripping Yuri firmly while his thumb is rubbing soothingly at the back at Yuri's hand.
Yuri's glares immediately divert to Conrad and it's intensity is broken when he is met with Conrad's sad brown eyes. Yuri mentally slapped his head. He should have known that this problem would upset Conrad greatly. Who wouldn't when you can't admit to the world who you love?
Against his better judgment, Yuri lean in and kissed Conrad square on the lips.
Yuri felt electricity went through his body every time he kissed Conrad soft lips. Absentmindedly, he sneaked a hand behind Conrad's neck to further the kiss. He felt Conrad nib his bottom lip for an excess and he grant it. Yuri moan softly when he felt Conrad's tongue battling with his and he-
A cough got the couple attention and they immediately sprang apart. They both blushed heavily when they saw that they were surrounded by the Shibuya's, including Jennifer, and was looking at them with raise eyebrows. They had completely forgotten that they are in the living room surrounded by the whole family.
"Yuri. Is there something you forgot to tell us?" asked Shori as he pointed out their intimate position.
Yuri realized that they were sitting too close to each other that they looked like molding into each other. His blush intensified.
"Oh…er…" stammered Yuri. His blush is getting redder by every second. "Did – Did I ever mention that – That Conrad and I are a couple?" Yuri finished nervously.
"Couple eh," said Shoma flippantly. "Well, you certainly never mention that."
Jennifer just stared at them with her famous glares before she suddenly smile before she starts squealing, and proceed to hug the both of them for all they are worth, saying, "This is wonderful! I'm not at all surprise. I thought so that you would be together the moment you broke off you engagement with Wolfram. I knew you would find someone like him to bear you children's and-"
Yuri gasped, looking scandalized. "Mum!"
Jennifer blinked innocently. "What? It could happen. Conrad is not lacking in his looks and..."
Yuri jumped to his feet so fast and stammered rapidly. "Oh my.. Look at the time… I'm going to bed. Night!"
Yuri quickly bolted out the room, dragging a very embarrassed Conrad with him.
Once they heard Yuri's bedroom's door closed, the family shared a glance.
"Mom, do you really have to say stuff like that?" asked Shori exasperated.
"What? About children? Well, It's true. Who knows maybe men over there can actually get pregnant."
The Shibuya's turned and looked to Murata, who has been sitting silently the whole time.
Murata just stared right back and said "Don't look at me I don't know a thing!"
The Shibuyas let out a heavy sigh. In all honesty, they really are curious to know if the Demon Tribe can indeed bear children. The notion itself is weird but Yuri had told them once that everything was topsy turvy there. And Shori had confirmed it during his brief stay.
"By the way" Shori frowned. "I trust that Conrad will sleep in the guest room and Murata will buck in with Yuri.."
Murata shake his head and said "Don't even try to get them to sleep in the separate rooms. We tried that before and they just keep finding a way to get back together. In the end, Conrad kind of moved in with Yuri in his room. Unofficially of course. So I'll be sleeping in the guest room if you don't mind. It's pointless anyway to get them apart when they can't get their hands off each other."
. . . . . . . .
Morning came bright and sunny.
Yuri lay lazily in his bed on his back. Even though the sun is shining and the birds are chirping, he just can't seem to want to wake up. He is content to just lay there snuggling in the bed with Conrad.
Yuri turn so that he can hold Conrad close, his eyes still shut. But he felt something's different, he couldn't put his finger on it. Something just feels off.
Yuri slowly opened his eyes. What he saw make him shout and jump out of the bed. His eyes widened so big that it nearly popped out of its socket.
The door of his bedroom slams open and The Shibuya's and Murata crowded the doorway.
"Yuri everything's alright?" asked Shori in concerned. "What's all the screaming?"
Yuri, who was shocked speechless, just point out at the direction of his bed.
All the Shibuya's and Murata looked at where Yuri was pointing and their jaws dropped.
"Conrad.." Murata mumble in shock, "…Is that you?" he asked lamely.
Conrad sat dazedly and he looked like he might faint. He gazed up and nodded his head at the same time clings the sheet tighter to himself, trying to covering his topless self or more precisely his chest area from everyone gaze. His mind, along with everyone else in the house is in a jumble mess!
The only thing on everyone's thoughts was, Conrad? A Woman? What's going on?!
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Review on your way out.
Elvina P.