"Lord Von Bielefeld, do you…"

2

Yuuri stood in the center of his bath water, the weight of the day pressing on his chest uncomfortably. The fact that he even considered for a moment trying to use Wolfram's family lands against him bothered the King more than he wanted to admit. Truthfully he did have some say in it but he couldn't just take the lands out from under them unless the family had committed some form of treason. He had wanted to shake him up more than anything but that alone was shameful.

He sighed, trying desperately to let the stress roll off of him and failing miserably. This whole thing put him so completely out of his element that he was acting out and it bothered him. He fell backwards in the water which caused it to splash up around him. As it settled and he floated at the surface, Yuuri closed his eyes tight and promised himself that the water on his face was from the bath and not tears.

He really hated politics.

It took several minutes of floating in his anxieties before he felt like it was time to get out. His head was getting a little light and right now he didn't trust himself not to drown if he passed out from the heat.

After toweling off, Yuuri tossed on his robe and made his way into his bed chambers. He was concerned about whether or not he would be able to sleep and wondered idly if Anissina might have anything that would help him to do so, but then thought better of it. That poisons master would probably put him out for weeks on purpose! Still though, he had so much going on in his mind that he just couldn't un-think; it was a mountain of issues cascading through him like a raging waterfall. He just couldn't shut it off.

"Do you mean to displace the Bielefeld's as a member of the Aristocratic Families?"

Yuuri jumped, hand over his heart as it raced from shock, and stared with wide eyes at the figure cast in shadows in his room. His tone was calm and low, but there was a dark undertone that he couldn't quite pinpoint whether it were due to anger or stress. Perhaps it was both.

He blinked and shook off the foreboding feeling in his bones before resuming his nightly routine. As he reached for his clothing in the chest at the end of his bed, he felt somewhat steadier and found his voice again.

"No"

He could feel eyes bearing down on him, watching his every move with a burning sensation. It wasn't clear if his intentions were good or not and the thought made Yuuri shiver a bit. The feeling made him clutch his robe closed subconsciously.

Yuuri turned to face the man against the wall and nearly screamed when he found him less than two feet away. His heart rate spiked as he stared up into emerald eyes, darker than usual to be sure but that could've been due the low lighting in the room.

"What are you doing?"

He felt oddly off balance, however, when the beautiful Prince grabbed his robe and dragged him closer.

"I have no idea anymore. Why are you threatening my lands?"

Yuuri cleared his throat and placed his hand over Wolfram's, a gentle but clear instruction to let him go. His retainer obeyed and it gave Yuuri hope that this conversation might still be civil enough to manage, regardless of it's rickety start. He was grateful, actually, for the opportunity to clear the air and subsequently, hopefully at least, his conscience.

"Listen, I'm not the smartest King and I know that. In fact when it comes to politics I'm at the bottom of the list. But that doesn't mean that I appreciate being taken advantage of…especially not by the likes of you!"

Wolfram took a stepped back, placing a measure of distance between them that was a little easier to tolerate as far as Yuuri was concerned. He grit his teeth when Wolfram scoffed at him; it sounded dangerously close to a laugh.

"I'm impressed you figured out that much"

"Gee thanks. Did you expect to keep me ignorant forever then?"

Yuuri's eyes drew wide as Wolfram began taking slow steps towards him, one for every step Yuuri took to maintain their distance. Something in his eyes changed to an almost predatory glare and made Yuuri feel like he was being hunted. It was an unnerving thing to go through such extreme emotions so quickly.

"Not particularly, though this is hardly ideal. None of it went according to plan and much could have been easier. You never make it easy though, do you? In the end, I would still…"

His back was pressed against the post of his bed and Wolfram was close enough that he could feel the heat of him everywhere. The Prince stood in front of him, not touching but close enough to almost forget that, his hand poised to either strike or stroke.

Yuuri found it difficult to breathe and even more so not to flinch.

"…have found a way to keep you"

Yuuri did flinch then, the emotional strike hitting too close to things he didn't want to examine right now. The hand that had inched closer towards him suddenly withdrew and the loss of heat from Wolfram's body was incredibly noticeable. It felt like the air was sucked from his lungs.

He felt like a fool. Everything in that statement told him that he was a belonging, a pawn that the Prince wanted to play with.

"So I am…this engagement is…just a political gambit for you"

It hurt to think like this.

"No. Not now at least."

Yuuri blinked in confusion as he tried to work out the meaning behind that. He was dense at the best of times and he knew that, but knowing it didn't mean he could do much about it.

"Huh?"

This time Wolfram really did laugh, but it was a soft chuckle that was very low and…dare he say it…sultry. His head was starting to spin with all this back and forth.

"It certainly started that way, I'll admit that. But even someone like you can understand such a simple thing. I met you that day, insulted you, challenged you. I hated you. You're half-human and you went and proposed. Even being an accident, I couldn't overlook that without some repercussion and the humiliation was never going to disappear. So I challenged you in order to get out of it in both a socially and politically acceptable way. I wanted to humiliate you"

As the Prince sat down at the small table, Yuuri busied his self with changing under his robe. For some reason he felt very self-conscious just then before making his way to sit down. This was the part of everything that he didn't understand, Wolfram's thoughts.

"I was overjoyed when you accepted the duel, so much that I ignored everyone around me. And when we met that day to have our duel I was so confused by your terms. It hadn't occurred to me that you had never seen battle or that you had grown up in a place that didn't exist on the verge of war. What did I know of Earth?"

Yuuri was entranced by the telling of his story, his version of what happened at that time. Wolfram seemed so caught up in his story, in his thoughts and emotions, that Yuuri wondered if he even saw him sitting there at the table with him.

"At first I thought you were making light of it, which made me angry and less capable to decide the appropriate action. I'm very short tempered and selfish, although I've grown to control it better now than I had then. Honestly, I was very proud, well-versed in politics, and spoiled; it's a dangerous combination. I really think that's why you won that day. I gave it my all, but it wasn't good enough because you were just that powerful…and that different."

Yuuri's eyes trained on Wolfram's hand resting on the table, watched as it clenched and unclenched with his emotions. The Prince was an interesting person to be sure, but when he opened up even a little then he became a ribbon of colors that Yuuri just couldn't look away from.

"Everything I expected of you was the opposite of what you did. Everything you said made me question myself. Everything you did made me stumble. I was humiliated that night I met you and again the day you bested me. But that day I was also in awe of you, not that I would have ever admitted it back then. You were beautiful and your power was addicting. I wanted it, all of it, and I was selfish enough to try to take it. Still am in fact."

Yuuri blinked as the words registered in his conscious thoughts. Why that pompous jerk!

"You look absolutely put out by it but I don't care. I realized back then that you were cripplingly untrained and had no sense at all for ruling a Kingdom. But when the throne changes hands, there is a ton of political movement taking place that no one ever sees or even hears about. The entire Kingdom is affected from the lowest to the highest, the Aristocrats and the peasants, and in this case even the humans. I had no way of knowing the type of King you would be and I made ever move necessary to secure my interests, my family line, for any instance. Is that really something to apologize for?"

As Wolfram's hand covered his own, Yuuri looked down at them and considered what he would have done if he had had the sense to do it in that position. He really wasn't sure the answer but it seemed like the most logical…and the most Wolfram…response that he could come up with.

"That isn't why"

Yuuri moved his hand from under Wolfram's and clenched it in anticipation of having to admit this.

"I'm not angry with you for doing what you had to do, what you were trained to do. I didn't want your apology for all of that, but at least now I understand why you did that. Wolf, you've had five years to tell me. Five years that you chose consciously not to say anything and not make it clear. Do you expect me to believe that you want this engagement because you really love me? Maybe you couldn't tell me because even I know that it's not natural to just blurt out that you started out by lying to me. But you spent all this time trying to tell me you love me and then I learn what really was going on. Do you expect me to believe you now?"

Yuuri stood up from the table and started scratching at his head again. This crap made his head hurt so much. He hated politics.

"Gah! I'm asking the impossible and I know that but I still feel betrayed! How am I supposed to trust you right now? Why should I believe that you aren't still trying to use me?"

He felt arms wrap around his shoulders, the heat of a firm chest pressed against his back and soaking through him. He couldn't help closing his eyes for just a moment.

"You're so unfair Yuuri…asking me to love you and not wanting to take it when it's right here!"

It was true. He couldn't deny that he was being unfair to Wolfram.

"Shortly before your coming of age party, I realized that everything I did was for you. Incidentally it also benefited me to do so, which was another revelation. It was like waking up from a dream and seeing everything you ever wanted was somehow right there for you if only you would reach out and take it. You can't imagine how disgraceful that felt"

The arms around him squeezed tight and he felt Wolfram's head as he laid it against his own, his lips dangerously close to his cheek and sending incredibly strong signals throughout his body.

"I've spent every minute since then trying to get you to notice me. I'm engaged to you and still the farthest thing from your mind. Do you know how hard that is when I see you every day? Every night? When I know you feel me but you still deny me. That hurts, Yuuri. And yet you still want me to love you? Who is really being selfish here?"

The King felt the shame and the desperation in his voice, felt the weight of his confession as his arms released him, felt his world tilt dangerously when he was spun around to see the very pain he caused so unintentionally. When Wolfram's lips touched his, he allowed him the measure of peace, returned it in fact. When he ran his tongue over his lips though, his body asking to allow him deeper, Yuuri took a step back.

"I- we can't do this"

"You've always had the strangest responses to me. It's like you want my love, but you can't stand it either. Am I revolting to you, Yuuri?"

"N-no. You're my best friend Wolf, you know that!"

The Prince smirked, but it wasn't kind or even enticing; it was dark and danced with something Yuuri didn't know.

"That isn't what I asked you. Yuuri…"

The King took a step back in defense, recognizing the darkness in Wolfram's eyes as something that was most probably going to hurt.

"…can you tell me now? Do you know an answer yet? … Do you prefer women over me?"

Yuuri gasped. He hadn't asked if he preferred women over men; changing the question meant something very different, didn't it?

"What did you think when you woke up next to that blonde woman on Earth? Hm? What went through your mind then? Shock? Surprise? Excitement? Fear? What was it?"

"U-um…Wolf, knock it off. You know I didn't have anything to do with that"

"That's right, it was all the doings of His Grace. And what a grand friend he is to try to set you up with a nice woman from Earth, some human that doesn't even know we exist. But how did you feel when you thought you slept with her?!"

Yuuri backed up until he sat on his bed, his legs no longer something he could trust to hold him up. He folded his hands in his lap and considered what happened that day. The pounding in his head, the unreal spinning of the room, the blonde hair splayed at his side, the heat of her body laid up against his own, and those damning emerald eyes.

"Scared…I was afraid. There was this person there next to me and I didn't know who it was, couldn't figure out where she came from. I couldn't even think straight. But the way you looked at me, it was like I had broken something. It hurt…"

He stopped when Wolfram's face was right in front of him, his personal space completely invaded once again.

"…I…Wolfram, I need space"

His voice was low, his eyes squinted as though searching for something, and his body was far too close for Yuuri to concentrate.

"You aren't going to keep denying it are you? After all that…"

"Uh…"

Yuuri blinked as he watched the expression change into something a little more devious, something a little darker, and oddly enough something a little more like Wolfram. He was plotting something again.

"I know what to do with you"

"Eh?"

Yuuri barely registered as his back hit the bed, a strong hand holding him down at his shoulder, the other swiftly undoing the buttons of his night shirt.

"What are you doing?! Knock it off!"

He swatted at him, but Wolfram easily dodged his efforts and continued pulling his shirt apart. Once his chest was bared, he glared up at Wolfram and grabbed the blankets in quiet defiance. The Prince wasn't necessarily stronger than him so much as he had a better position and probably some experience, which was a far cry more than this poor King could say. Yuuri felt a little helpless to be honest.

"You say you don't know if you prefer women. His Grace says it's because you lack experience with either"

Yuuri shivered as a finger trailed over his chest and down his abdomen, stopping at the hem of his pants where Wolfram's lower body started. The blush that took over him was immediate and unavoidable.

Wolfram's chuckle made him twitch unexpectedly and he closed his eyes out of mortification. This was not happening.

"I cursed my brother for having you born on Earth. All the things you were trained to like…and dislike"

Yuuri flinched as Wolfram pulled at the hem of his pants and let it go again.

"You have a strange aversion to enjoying your relationship with another man and all because you were told it was bad. What a foolish notion"

Wolfram's hand splayed over his abdomen, his fingers bent and holding tight to his side, a strangely secure feeling washing over Yuuri at the action. Yuuri was flushed and his breathing was uneven, but he was determined not to lose his self to this pretty boy.

When Wolfram's body came closer, leaning over him but not touching anywhere else, Yuuri almost cried from the tension. His response made him question if he were waiting for more or wanting it to stop. The line was getting a little blurry. But Wolfram's whispered words, that slight desperate undertone in his voice cut him just a bit.

"Why do you reject me when you so obviously want me?"

Yuuri felt his body temperature rising as Wolfram kept playing him like some damn instrument. It was starting to piss him off that he could do this so easily.

Wolfram's teeth grazed his ear, his lips playing gently against his skin as he spoke.

"I could show you things you've never even thought of before"

Yuuri reached up and gripped Wolfram's biceps, effectively stopping the Prince from moving his hand any lower and causing him to rise up so he could meet his eyes. He could see the curiosity in them, but also the humor and no small amount of lust. It made him shiver.

"Wolf…"

He hated how his voice shook, the pleading weakness in it. He hated Wolfram's smirk, knowing that he enjoyed the sound, the implications of it. Yuuri wasn't sure what he was asking but Wolfram seemed to get the message loud and clear. Yuuri's heart raced and his head spun.

"I told you already, I know what to do with you"

Yuuri swallowed hard in anticipation and his eyes screwed shut, wondering if he could handle this situation. He was so not ready to do more than this with anyone, never mind who it was.

In moments he felt the bed jolt and found himself staring at the ceiling, his body cooling rapidly with loss. Yuuri blinked in confusion for a few minutes before he sat up and stared at Wolfram. The Prince was leaning against the small table by the bed and making a very visible effort to calm down. Just how hard was this for him?

"You still can't accept me. I get that it's not something easy for you so I'll give you space for now. But Yuuri, I am going to make you look at me. I love you and I won't let you forget it"

With that, Wolfram turned away and left the room, something about paperwork needing done falling easily from his soft lips.

Yuuri, barely able to hold his body up any longer, fell back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling in thought.

Wolfram had always been an affectionate guy in private. To be honest, he was always trying to kiss him or hold him in some way or another. Actually, the guy had tried to sleep with him almost immediately after the engagement all those years ago. None of it really bothered Yuuri as much as it used to, not since he had decided to live for this world, for this family here.

But as much as Wolfram wanted him to return the affection, Yuuri simply couldn't do it. He knew that two guys dating wasn't really an issue, and that even back on Earth there had been drastic changes in the tolerance and acceptance of those types of relationships these past few years. But that didn't mean he could just undo everything in his head.

With a sigh, Yuuri decided there was no way he was going to solve this issue tonight. At least the matter of his betrayal was a little more clear. While he never said he was sorry, Wolfram was right in that he had done it to protect what was his and at that time that didn't include Yuuri. In all fairness, Yuuri had forgiven him a long time ago. He was simply hurt by the whole thing and selfishly wanted closure, but childishly went about the whole thing all the wrong way.

He felt like an idiot to be sure.

Starting tomorrow he would have to negotiate properly with the foreign guests. He had this insane urge to prove to Wolfram that he wasn't out to get him or his inheritance. The whole thing was giving him a splitting headache.

At least he would get to see Lady Lizette tomorrow. Something about her was inexplicably attractive, not in the romantic way even though she was quite beautiful, but in that magnetic way some people had that made everyone want to be near them. There was an air of mystery about her that made Yuuri want to get to know her.

Yuuri felt a bit of guilt at having thought about someone like her after what just happened. Then again, it's not like he had asked to be molested by the pretty boy. On the other hand, he really hadn't tried to stop it because…actually he wasn't sure why he didn't do that. When he considered what happened and the fact that he was not prepared to go further but had made no real effort into avoiding that, it made his head spin. Just what was going on with him anyway?

At this point, the idea of being put to sleep for a few weeks seemed like a blessing more than not. If only Anissina's laboratory were closer to his bed chambers…

~.~ KKM ~.~

The next morning, Yuuri met with Gwendal after breakfast to discuss the ideas they had about the foreigners. While he felt slightly bad about it, he was on guard more than anything simply because they were foreigners.

They had already previously decided to wait for the report from Josak to arrive and Yuuri felt that was still the best course of action first and foremost. However, they did decide that it would be best to hold a meeting of the Aristocratic Families once they had enough information to make an informed decision. Yuuri decided to allow the families to vote on the matter instead of trying to sort it out on his own.

With their plan set, Gwendal called an audience with the foreign guests to discuss their intentions for the time being. As they all sat around the table in the office discussing the matter, Yuuri kept sneaking glances at Lady Lizette while avoiding Wolfram's gaze.

His heart was pounding into overdrive every time he saw him today.

"Lord von Reiser, it is our intention to discuss this with our full council, but as they are Regents of their territories, it will be a matter of time to gather and manage this. It is our King's wish that you would remain here at Blood Pledge Castle while we await their arrivals so that we can take this opportunity to get to know each other better."

Yuuri's eyes traveled to the foreign King, watching as the man's head bobbed slightly in agreement. A smile came easily to that man and Yuuri found it somewhat reassuring.

"We would be honored to accept such gracious hospitality"

As his eyes trailed down the table to the other foreign guests, he noticed that they all held that same easy smile. Suddenly he felt a little off-put by their easiness and wondered if it was a conscious effort or if they were simply that friendly. He doubted it very much. Just what were they planning?

Yuuri grunted at his turn of thoughts. Now he was starting to sound like Wolfram.

"Excellent. Please allow the maids to show you to the gardens. It seems the Princess has made a picnic for our guests"

Yuuri and Wolfram both perked up at this. As soon as the guests were excused, Yuuri spoke up.

"When did Greta arrive?"

"She arrived by carriage this morning, your Highness. It was her request that her fathers not be informed until lunch. I believe she wished to surprise you both"

Yuuri could hardly help the almost school-boy sized smile he had when he learned that he would get to see Greta today. His smile softened a little though when he noticed that Wolfram was practically sparkling, his lips stretched wide and reaching to his eyes. The thought brought a flush over his cheeks and a small embarrassed chuckle when Von Christ noticed. After all these years, that old man still looked at him as though he lost his favorite pet. It was a little unnerving.

~.~ KKM ~.~

Throughout lunch, Yuuri looked around at his guests with a strange uneasiness. They were seated around a table in the lower garden while he, Wolfram, Greta, Lady Cherie, and Lady Anissina sat on the balcony in the garden. The odd smile that both Lady Cherie and Lady Anissina had were a bit suspicious, and the way Greta kept peeking at everyone at the table had begun to make him suspicious. The whole thing was making his stomach turn and his mood to sour.

Earlier when they had met up, he had asked her why she had returned so soon since she wasn't due back at the Castle for another several weeks. Her time in her mother's country of Zorashia was crucial to the country's efforts to rebuild so it was a little shocking to see her back so soon.

He got caught up in the memory of her all those years ago when they learned of her true lineage and what it would mean for her future. Those days seemed a lot simpler, although he recognized that it was only his childishness at that time that made it seem that way.

It was really starting to bother Yuuri that even the sweetest of memories could be infected by his awareness of his own ignorance at that time.

His musings were cut short by the screams of his guests and everyone at his table. A small explosion blew the glass of a window one story above them flying out into the gardens below. Luckily it fell to the side and not on any of the guests but it was much too close a call for his comfort and he was already in a bad mood.

Yuuri closed his eyes in frustration and grit his teeth, a smile gracing his lips in attempt to remain calm and speak kindly.

"Is it possible to have your student not damage this Castle for even one day, Lady Anissina?"

The fiery potion master laughed as though a great joke were told, her hands waving him off shamelessly.

"He's quite the prodigy, don't you think so your Majesty?"

Before he could respond with what he thought would be an acceptably biting retort, his daughter spoke up.

"Lindsey! Are you up there Lindsey?"

He watched in near abhorrence as she waved her arms and ran around the balcony to view her oddball friend. How those two had gotten so chummy was beyond him and he really wished he could undo it all. Since Lady Anissina had taken to providing Brat Von Wincott's formal education, his daughter and him caused all manner of mischief.

"Greta!"

His voice was loud and stern, but deep and commanding. It was a trick he had learned in all those years of pulling his alter ego to the surface. The results were always phenomenal and this time was no exception. It was to his great pride that she dropped her arms and bowed her head politely before making her way back to her seat.

"Lady Anissina, kindly remind that boy that this Castle is not a bomb center. I would rather spend at least one winter without drafts due to the numerous repairs"

"As you wish your Majesty"

He noted that all guests had quietly resumed their meals, keeping to themselves during the entire fiasco. It was a gesture that he appreciated, but it also spoke volumes of the way he handled this situation. Perhaps they found him to be too harsh, but really he had hit his limit with this one. Greta flailing her arms like an untrained hooligan was mostly just embarrassing in front of their foreign guests. She knew better but still went on anyhow. Honestly, what was he to do with her?

"Eve, please have this cleaned up"

He watched as the maid bowed and ran off to handle the task. At least the members of his staff were competent.

The remainder of lunch went on quietly and the group dispersed to attend to their errands for the afternoon.

Before Yuuri made it out the gardens, he was stopped by a small hand on his arm. He looked down at it and turned to see the owner, idly noting how he thought her hands would have been larger for some strange reason.

"King Yuuri, my apologies for being so forward but if I may…I…"

He turned to face her completely and cocked his head to the side in curiosity. She was unexpectedly tender and her cheeks were slightly flushed. It was terribly cute.

"That is to say, your gardens…um…"

"Lady Cherie made these gardens. She's quite proud of them"

"Ah, yes, well they are quite lovely. I noticed that there were more flowers beyond that hedge. Is it an extension of this garden?"

Yuuri turned to see the flowers she had pointed at and realized that those were his.

"That is my personal garden actually. Although Lady Cherie is the one that planted those as well"

The lady laughed behind a gently formed fist, her eyes fluttering with the movement. He found it absolutely entrancing.

"I didn't realize men were so inclined"

Yuuri had the good grace to blush at that and turned away.

"Yes well, a good King is able to appreciate the more beautiful things in life"

"Mm, indeed"

He noticed the way her voice dropped and her presence felt heavier. It was almost entrancing the way she spoke with him in this moment. It sent a silent zing running through his veins.

"Would it be too forward to request a tour of the gardens? Despite my title and positions, I do so enjoy the relaxing touch of the aesthetics nature has to offer"

A warning buzzed in the back of his head, a burning sensation that told him to be wary, but he warded it off with a small shake of his head. What harm was there in showing her around? Was that not his duty anyhow?

"I see no reason why not. How about a walk tomorrow afternoon? I'm afraid my schedule is busy today"

"That would be lovely! Thank you ever so much King Yuuri. I look forward to our meeting again tomorrow then"

He watched as she nearly floated away, her graceful steps unheard. Something about her was simply alluring.

~.~ KKM ~.~

Wolfram stood at the end of the walk, his eyes trained on the pair before him. They were too far away to hear, but he found that their expressions were telling enough on their own. As the petite blonde made to walk past him with her gentle little smile, he caught a glimpse of her eyes and was hit with a damning revelation.

The irony was incredible; he felt almost stupid for having to watch this unfold. But one thing his time with Yuuri had taught him was that the man was a model for attracting trouble and he was stubborn as a Dragon and as single-minded as a Hell Paradise Goala. No matter what anyone said, Yuuri was going to do it his way.

Wolfram wasn't entirely sure that he had the nerves necessary to withstand what was going to happen, but he knew that if he didn't then he would never have a future with Yuuri. That was absolutely unacceptable.

~.~ KKM ~.~

There had been a time not too many years ago that Yuuri had stared in awe at the amount of paper it took to run a Kingdom on a daily basis. There were mountains of things to review, approve or reject, modify, update, etc and then sign. He laughed at his own naivety. Gwendal had been assisting at that time and that man's version of assistance was well more than half of what he had required of Yuuri.

These days it took the better part of the afternoon to get through this part. He would be lucky to make it out by supper. However, he wanted to work through this and move on to some of the projects for tomorrow so that he could free up his afternoon for his time with Lady Lizette.

At that thought, Yuuri's pen stopped moving and his eyes glazed over slightly, his mind being lost to the memory of her presence. She really was something else. So much so that he never even noticed when the door to his office opened.

"Daydreaming about Lady Lizette again?"

"Mm…"

Yuuri shook his head and focused on the hand covering his paper.

"Wait what?"

"Psh, you're hopeless. I hope you know that"

Yuuri waved the hand off his paper and resumed his signature before pulling the next down for inspection. He didn't have time for this nonsense.

"I saw the way she looked at you…the way you looked at her too"

His hand froze mid-stroke and he stared at the paper unseeing. The hammer in his chest became heavy suddenly and made him feel light headed.

"I'm going to make you a deal, Yuuri. Take the Lady on her date, hell take her on a thousand. Get to know her as much as I know you want to. And when you can finally decide who you want more, come and find me. But only on one condition…"

Yuuri looked up to the devious, plotting eyes of his fiancé and blinked.

"No touching, not from you or her. If that happens then all deals are off. Do we have a deal?"

He stared up at the man with the conniving eyes and nodded. It was not his intention to be intimate with the woman; he just wanted to spend some time with her and she seemed to want the same.

"Deal"

The echo of the door shutting rang through Yuuri's ears. His pen slipped from his grasp and his breath shuddered under the emotional pressure. He was afraid to move, afraid to think, his hands poised in the air and suspended in time. If he dared think of the bargain Wolfram made just then he might well lose his mind.

There was a part of him that was terrified to do what he suggested not because he was afraid of a date with a Lady but because he was afraid of what it would mean to Wolfram. It was absolutely irrational…and yet…there was a part of him much deeper and much more youthful that wanted to try, needed to know if this was his path or not.

He took a deep breath and reached for his pen again. It had already been decided that he would take the Lady on a walk in the gardens, but now he was planning to take her to other places in the Kingdom as well. If Wolfram wanted to give him space like he'd been asking for all of these years then by his soul he was going to enjoy it.

Whether the clenching in his chest was from excitement or fear, Yuuri would never be able to say. It was certain though that there was a measure of both running through his body and creating an incredible amount of adrenaline. He would need to hurry up and finish these things so that he could start planning out the day for tomorrow.

~.~ KKM ~.~

He's going on a da~ate. He's going on a da~ate.

hahaha