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"Kyo Kara Maoh" – Speaking

Kyo Kara Maoh – Thoughts

Kyo Kara Maoh – Flashbacks

Kyo Kara Maoh – Thoughts in Flashbacks

Chapter 4

Wolfram walked pass three different groups of maids as he headed towards the gardens. The maids were all over the castle, hurrying to finish the final preparations for the Spring ball. Guest rooms were being prepared for all of the important guests that will be staying at the castle the few days before and after the ball. The guests will start arriving to the castle the day after tomorrow, and the ball was scheduled a week from today. Wolfram finally made it to the gardens and smiled at the adorable scene that awaited him. Standing before him, looking as cute as a bearbee, was Greta with her hands on her hips and she was trying her darnest at giving Wolfram a firm, disapproving look.

"Papa Wolf, you're late!" Greta admonished, but then started running towards Wolfram, who caught her when she launched at him. Wolfram smiled at the eight year old in his arms before saying, "I'm sorry, sunshine, training went a little over. Do you forgive me?"

"I forgive you, Papa," Greta said sweetly before kissing Wolfram's cheeks. Wolfram headed towards the tea tables where he will have tea time with Greta and her dolls. The two played tea time until Greta finally spoke up, "Papa Wolf, do you have an escort for the ball?"

"No, I was asked, but I did not accept any requests. I did not want an escort for the ball."

"Why not, Papa?"

"Well, if I accepted the escort the person may expect to court me and I don't want to be courted yet."

"Oh okay, but you will dance right?"

"I might."

"Will you dance with me, Papa? Like you did at the last ball?"

"Why of course. It would be my honor to dance with the prettiest girl there," Wolfram smiled at his daughter, who's face had brightened with a wide smile. Suddenly, Greta's eyes widened and she let out a gasp, "Oh no, Papa, I don't have a dress for the ball. Can we go shopping? Please, please, please!" Wolfram laughed at his daughter's antics but caved at the puppy dog eyes, "Okay, okay, precious, but we need to let your Daddy know." Greta hopped off her chair and kissed Wolf's cheeks before taking off toward the castle.

"Greta, don't run!" Wolf called after her before gathering the tea set and Greta's dolls. A maid came running up and Wolfram handed the items to her. He headed in the direction Greta went to meet her in Yuri's office. When he arrived at the library, he found Greta sitting in Yuri's lap talking a mile a minute. Yuri kept silent and smiled softly, content to just listen to his little girl. Wolfram took a look around the library. It looked like Yuri had been in the library all day, more than half of the paperwork was done. When Greta noticed Wolfram, she hopped off Yuri's lap and jumped into Wolfram's arms, "Daddy said yes, Papa!"

"Why don't you come with us, Yuri?" Wolfram offered, shocking Yuri.

"Are you sure, Wolfram?" In the past few months, Yuri had made a point in not cutting into Wolfram's time with Greta, something that Wolfram was sincerely grateful for.

"I'm sure, Yuri. Greta should have both of her fathers with her when she is picking out her ball dress," Wolfram gave Yuri a sincere smile.

"Yeah, Daddy, come with us! Please!" Even Yuri was no match for Greta's puppy dog eyes. Yuri caved in and an hour later Wolfram and Yuri found themselves waiting outside a dressing room, their laps full with fluffy dresses. There had been a comfortable silence between the two while the two watch their daughter play dress up.

"My favorite is the pink," Yuri broke the silence.

"Mmm…she did look cute in it, but my favorite was the yellow one," Wolfram stated.

"Which one do you think she'll pick?" Yuri asked.

"Well, this week her favorite color his lavender, so probably one of the lavender ones," Wolfram answered with a fond smile. Yuri chuckled but his face also broke in a fond smile. Wolfram surveyed the area outside the shop, checking to make sure that the guards outside were not experiencing any trouble.

"Greta mentioned that you don't have an escort for the ball," Yuri spoke up again.

"I didn't want one. There were offers but I didn't accept any."

"Why not?"

"Well," Wolfram hesitated but continued, "They're all from suitors looking to court me. If I say yes to any of them, they may take that as an invitation to start courting me and that is last thing I want. I have no interest in being courted."

"Oh, Wolf," Yuri sighed affectionately, "You always do that," Yuri smiled gently at Wolfram.

"Huh?" Wolfram was confused, "Do what?"

"You keep people at arm's length. Even when we were engaged, you tried to hide it, but I could tell that there was a mask or wall keeping me out. Greta is the only one I've seen that has breached that wall."

Wolfram was silent. He didn't know how to respond to Yuri's remarks. To be honest, everything that Yuri said was the truth. Even with Yuri, Wolfram kept a part of himself locked away. Wolfram told himself it was his own way of protecting his heart because he knew that one day the engagement would come to an end. Wolfram was devastated when Yuri and Wolfram annulled the engagement, but Wolfram knew that the only reason why he was okay and able to be around Yuri now was because he kept that small part of his heart out of reach. If Yuri had accepted the engagement and returned the feelings from the beginning, exactly how different would things be? Would Yuri and I be married now or would I have run in the other direction, Wolfram wondered. He wanted to believe that he would have given his whole heart, every single piece, to Yuri but he wondered if that was really true. Truth was the idea of trusting someone, of loving someone that much frightened him. His mother's history was proof enough that the majority of relationships ended in heartbreak. Wolfram's thoughts were broken when Yuri spoke up again.

"Wolf, I'm not saying it will always be rainbows and daisies or that the road to finding that one special person won't be rough, but you should still take the chance. Dive right in with your eyes closed and trust that there will be someone waiting to catch you at the bottom. That's what love is about. You have something special and precious to give to that one lucky guy, but you have to open your heart to him, Wolf."

Wolf sat in stunned silence, not knowing what to say. Yuri had sounded so certain and confident when he spoke and so sincere. Wolfram felt some of his old feelings for Yuri start to rise up again, but he quickly squashed them down. It will do him no good to let those feelings come back to the surface. Thankfully, Greta stepped out of the dressing room, giving Wolfram an excuse to not respond. Greta twirled around in a pretty lavender dress that sparkled from rhinestones that was sewn on the dress.

"Daddy, Papa, this is my favorite dress. Do I look pretty in it?" Greta asked in a hopeful voice.

"You look beautiful, Greta!" Yuri exclaimed.

"You will be the most beautiful girl there, Greta." Wolfram added.

Greta beamed and then ran back into the dressing room to change into her clothes. Yuri and Wolfram handed all of the other dresses to the store's attendant, who returned the dresses to the racks. Greta stepped out and handed the pretty dress to Yuri. While Yuri was paying for the dress, Wolfram got Greta settled into the carriage. Once the three of them returned to the castle, Yuri and Wolfram had to return to their duties and Greta went to have tea time with her Grandma Celi.

Night of the Spring Ball:

Wolfram circled around the ballroom, his eyes tracking the room and Yuri as he danced with Greta, checking to make sure there was no danger that would harm Yuri or Greta. Wolfram knew this was over kill because there were over a dozen guards in the ballroom alone highly trained in searching out danger. However, Wolfram was bored out of his mind. He had danced numerous times with Greta, and he enjoyed that but now he was looking for something to do while at the same time avoiding some of his more persistent suitors. Wolfram noticed Conrad leaning against the wall, not far from Yuri and Greta. Wolfram made his way towards his brother, intending to strike up a conversation but was stopped when someone grabbed his arm. Wolfram was pulled to someone's chest and an arm wrapped around his slim waist. Wolfram looked up, ready to give an angry retort, but stopped when he looked up into Murata's laughing eyes.

"Hi there gorgeous, care to dance? You looked so bored, I thought I would save you from such a fate," Murata grinned happily and winked at Wolfram. Wolfram laughed but let Murata lead him into a slow waltz.

"Why thank you, My Knight. Whatever would I do without you?" Wolfram joked. He secretly enjoyed this game between him and the Great Sage.

"Oh, I shudder to think what fate would befall you, My Damsel," Murata teased back.

"Hey! I am no damsel," Wolfram exclaimed defensively.

"Of course, of course," Murata consoled.

As the two danced, Murata filled Wolfram in on the latest gossip of tonight's ball: who's sleeping with whom, who is separated, who is wearing the most atrocious outfit, who is wearing the skimpiest outfit, etc. The two had continued to dance into a second song without the two of them realizing it. Wolfram was confused when he felt a shiver pass through Murata's body.

"Whooh, I can just feel all the jealous glares from your many suitors," Murata whispered.

Wolfram rolled his eyes, somewhat annoyed with all of the attention the two friends were getting. Wolfram also felt some heated glares on his neck. Murata was just as sought after as Wolfram was, though Murata was only sought after because of his skills in bed. Wolfram felt a little sadness for his friend. Murata had the reputation of only being interested in one night stands or casual affairs, thought the truth was Murata craved for an actual companion. Murata had started the first so-called casual affairs thinking they would turn into a deeper relationship, only to have his heart broken later. People are attracted to the aura Murata gave off and will seek the Great Sage out for a few tumbles in bed, but they will run away from anything deeper. Due to his experience and knowledge, Murata had this dark, untouchable place in his heart that people seem to somehow sense and instead of trying to penetrate the darkness, his lovers would run away, stating they didn't want anything deeper with the sage. After a few affairs, Murata got the reputation of only being interested in casual affairs, and in order to protect himself from more disappointment the sage decided to keep the reputation. Murata had never stated any of this Wolfram, but the fire mazoku saw the hurt in his friend's eyes after the first few affairs and Wolfram had felt the darkness as well. Yuri had also felt the darkness, but the two never ran away from their friend. It was for that very reason that Wolfram knew that the sage truly cherished their friendship and Wolfram also cherished his friendship with Murata. This friend had been there for him through thick and thin, and comforted Wolfram through the first month of the engagement's annulment.

"Oh ignore them; they wouldn't have gotten a dance anyways. You know, I'm getting as much heat from your many admirers," Wolfram teased Murata. Murata's head fell back as he let out a laugh.

"Oh, there's no need for them to get all hot and bothered. They'll all get their chance eventually, as long as they don't mind sharing," Murata stated and winked at some of the admirers that were giving him heated looks.

"Oh, please, you don't have me fooled," Wolfram stated and almost laughed at Murata's shocked look.

"And just what am I trying to fool you at?" Murata asked with an eyebrow raised.

"You act like you're commitment phobic, but I know better," Wolfram stated proudly.

"Oh, you do, huh?" Both of Murata's eyes were raised now.

"Yep, and you know what? One day you're going to meet someone who will completely knock you off your feet. You will be so dumbfounded you won't even know what to do with him…or her."

Murata let out a startled laugh before stating, "Is that so?"

"Uh huh, and what's more," this time Wolfram smiled gently at his friend, "whoever they are… they won't run away."

Murata looked shocked at Wolfram's statement, and for a fraction of a second Wolfram got a glimpse of a vulnerable look that made Wolfram feel a little protective of his fried. Then a small smile crossed Murata's face and there was the smallest glint of hope in the sage's black eyes. "You think so?" Murata asked softly. The song ended and the two friends stepped apart.

"Yeah…I do," Wolfram answered with a confident smile. Murata looked like he was going to say something but stopped when he noticed that Greta was heading for them.

"Uncle Ken! Uncle Ken! Will you dance with me next?" Greta asked sweetly as a new song started.

"Why of course, sweetheart," Murata answered softly.

Wolfram stepped back, content with watching Greta and Murata. He let out a small laugh as Murata twirl and spin around a giggling Greta. The smile disappears when Wolfram was roughly turned around and forced into a waltz. Wolfram glared up at whoever had the nerve to handle him in such a way. The brute was William von Radford, the youngest nephew of the head of the Radford family. Radford's plain gray hair was tied back in a low ponytail and his gray eyes were leering lecherously at Wolfram.

"Radford," Wolfram growled, straining himself from causing a scene; Greta was having fun and he didn't want to ruin that, "the hell do you think you're doing? Take your hands off me." Wolfram was ignored as Radford continue to move Wolfram around roughly in a sad attempt at a waltz. It appeared that Radford was moving him in one direction in a fast pace.

"Ugh, slow down, you brute," Wolfram demanded but he was only ignored. When they reached the west side balcony, Radford suddenly shoved Wolfram backwards in two pairs of arms that grabbed him firmly and tried to hold him still. Wolfram struggled but the arms only held tighter. Wolfram looked at his captors and saw that they were soldiers from the Radford lands.

"What is the meaning of this? Unhand me this instant!" Wolfram demanded in a firm voice.

"Oh, be quiet, they only answer to me," Radford stated coldly and then stepped forward and held up a letter to Wolf's face. It was in Conrad's handwriting and judging by the few lines Wolfram read, Conrad was threatening Radford to stay away from his baby brother. Radford must have been the one who wrote the letter that Yuri and Conrad did not approve of. Radford crumbled the letter and threw it over his shoulder.

"I tried to do this the gentlemanly way, and for my troubles I get a threatening letter from that filthy half-breed," Radford growled.

"Be glad that was all you got," Wolfram started, "but I promise you, if you do not let me go right now, when I do get out of this you will wish you listened to that letter," Wolfram growled in a low and threatening tone.

"Now, that is no way to talk to your fiancé," Radford smirked at Wolfram as he stepped closer.

"You are not my fiancé, nor will you ever be," Wolfram glared at the smug smirk on Radford's face.

"Not yet," Radford let out a chuckle as he raised his left hand and stepped even closer towards Wolframs, "but you will be," Radford stated. Wolfram's glare only hardened even more.

"You're wasting your time, moron. Even if you slap me, I will still refuse."

"Oh, I know," Radford added in an annoyingly smug manner as he raised his hand higher, "and when you do, I will challenge you to a duel. You may be a strong demon, but I know I am stronger. Once I win the duel, according to Shin Makoku traditions, you will have no choice but to become my fiancé. The only way to annul the engagement is if I denounce it myself, which I have no intention of doing. So, to make things easier for yourself, you might as well accept."

When Radford finished speaking, he started to bring his hand down in a fast pace. Wolfram tensed as he watched the hand come closer and closer to his face…

Cliff hanger! Hehe… Before y'all start chasing me with pitch forks, I promise the next chapter will be up soon! Hopefully, within the next couple of days. Hope y'all enjoyed it!