Chapter 4 – Gaining Trust

Yozak was standing not far from the Prince when Wolfram waved him off and walked away. He eyed Wolfram whose pace started to get quicker, as if he was frightened. He followed him closely, just to see Wolfram running into one student that held a tray and almost fell because of the impact, Wolfram then ran off into another building. Yozak chose a different path to follow the Prince unnoticed.

'Why? How come they know about Shinou? No, this can't be happening. What will happen next? What should I do? The fact that I'm… no, they shouldn't know about me and my family's relation or this might not be good! Moreover, about Shinmakoku…'

Wolfram ran through the corridors, passing students who were holding trays and almost knocked one or two of them. Some shouted at him but he did not care. He was frantic, not caring about anything else than his safety. He had to find an empty room where he could think clearly and calm himself down.

He stopped to catch his breath and raised his head to see where he was. In front him there was of the student council room, he sighed and leaned against the door. It's was quiet. None of the students were inside the building right now since it was lunchtime. Wolfram breathing became even as he started to calm down; but he was suddenly pushed forward from behind. He yelped in surprised and tried to balance himself immediately, only to find Alford behind him and there was a sudden yelp that surprised Wolfram.

"Flurin, I'll take care of the rest, you can go and rest. Thank you for your help." Alford said to one of his of the student council's members who said 'yes' back to him.

On Alford's other hand there was a pile of papers and the teacher closed the door behind him. His attention went back to Wolfram who remained, still somewhat surprised.

"What's wrong, Wolfram? Do you need something?" He smiled at him. Staring at Wolfram's pale face, Alford frowned as he realized that Wolfram was either scared or shocked, or… he didn't know, worried? That wasn't the right word either. "Did someone bully you?" Alford asked, glaring.

If the bad gang had decided to do something to the new transfer student, he would punish them immediately. Hearing that, Wolfram looked at him for a moment before shaking his head,

"No, I… It's none of your business." He changed the tone of his voice, not wanting to sound weak.

Alford raised an eyebrow at the reply but then he smiled. Raising his hand to pat his shoulder, Wolfram shot him a look. He chuckled at the expression and sighed. "Well, if you need help, just tell me or Yuuri, or his close friends. I'm sure they will help you out. That is… if you want to trust someone." Alford nodded at him and walked away. Wolfram looked at his back when he walked down the stairs and then disappear from his sight. He sighed.

"As if I can trust anyone in this school…" He mumbled, walking towards another classroom, slid inside the room as quietly as he could after glancing right and left just in case someone was nearby him. He then closed the door shut after he was sure that nobody was nearby.

Wolfram sighed as soon as he closed the empty classroom door. He slid down and sat on the floor, gasping while trying to catch his breath. He lean back to the door as he closed his eyes, trying to think further.

'Anuie, how can they know about Shinou? My fourth brother from Mother's lineage? The fact that I'm the Prince… The seventh von Bielefeld Prince… It would be better if Gunther was the one teaching me at the mansion along with the other aristocrats. Why did I even want to go to this school? What should I do now… pretend like if nothing happened? But…' Wolfram clenched his eyes shut, he didn't know what to think anymore.

"What are you doing here, Your Highness?"

Someone called him out from his own thoughts and Wolfram's head shoot up. His eyes softened when he saw his brother's spy staring down at him with a worried look. He was glad that Yozak was still in the school. At least there was someone accompanying him and he felt stupid for worrying about his own safety. He knew that his brothers wouldn't leave him alone just like that.

"Yozak." Wolfram sighed and stood up slowly.

"You want me to do something about those kids?" he asked chuckling.

Wolfram glared at him, knowing that Yozak could do anything with 'the kids', but then he snorted at the question. He didn't want to cause any ruckus, not when he had a duty with him right now. The reason for him to go to that school… was not just because of that boy… something inside his mind told him that he had to remain silent. Wolfram raised his hand to his chest, feeling a bit warm and calm. The pendant was glowing, he sighed softly when he noticed it. Shinou… He couldn't help but to smile. 'Okay, I understand, he wants me to keep silent and not do anything to Shibuya and the others.'

"I can handle their manners, but the thing is… they know about Shinou." Wolfram looked at Yozak's surprised expression. So, he too was surprised.

"Yeah, I'm surprised about that as well, so… that's why I was frantic… but I'm glad that you are still here, Yozak…" Wolfram smiled as he recalled that he told Yozak to go home and leave him alone.

"How come they know about him? Maybe I should asked Conrad about it, he might know something." Yozak raised his hand to his chin, frowning.

"Yes, I would like you to do that, just gather some information about it." Wolfram ran his hand through his hair nervously.

Yozak chuckled at his action; really, this was very unusual, the Prince who was used to be pampered by his brothers being nervous? He had never seen Wolfram in this kind of state. He couldn't blame him though; after all he used to have a protection around him always when something bad happened.

"Calm down your highness. I will ask Conrad and Gwendal about it, you can call Effe, she is nearby here." Yozak said as he walked toward the window. He could leave Wolfram with Effe. After all, she was skilled enough to make him ran for his life with creating a path to escape from any dangerous situation.

Wolfram nodded at him as he gave a soft sigh. "Alright." He took a deep breath, watching Yozak climb out the window and to the tree; he shook his head, wondering if people might found him or something. But then again, he had never been caught and his brother seemed to trust him a lot, too. Wolfram knew he also could count on him about Shinou's subject.

Now, to face his classmates again. He should try to act as normal as he could. He didn't want them to be suspicious of him. He left his food because of the shock and he needed to eat something more. Wolfram looked at the clock that was hung on the wall above the blackboard. He still had time to buy something, probably Effe could help out. 'Yozak said she was nearby, I wonder where she is though…'

The wolf opened the door only to yelp when the person he was thinking about stood in front of him with a smile.

"Wolfram-sama, you should eat something." She said and gave him a lunch box.

Wolfram stared at the lunch box she served him with a half-opened mouth. "How did you know…" But then he stopped, she was following him like a spy; even more than Yozak. He took the box and pulled the lid only to smile at his favorite food. "Thank you, Effe." He said and walked to the nearby desk to continue eating.

Effe bowed and walked in to close the classroom door, stood guard in front of it; waiting for Wolfram to finish eating, and she smiled when he saw him eat full of appetite.

"Effe, your pink maid-dress is very… showy. Can't you change into something else?" Wolfram said as he handed her the empty lunchbox.

Effe took the lunchbox from him nervously. She ran her hand in front of her mouth, fidgeting and then bowed down to him as deep as she could.

"Thank you for your comment, Wolfram-sama, but I can't do that. This is the dress Cellie-sama gave to me when I started to take care of you, so… I'm afraid she might scold me for that…" her voice cracked as she said stammering, obviously nervous that Wolfram might snap at her.

Wolfram just watched her knowingly. "Ah Hahue…" Wolfram mumbled. He narrowed his eyes, talking to his mother about her dressing up hobby was useless. Especially when it was a dress she chose herself.

"I'm sorry." She said, still not raising her head.

Wolfram raised his hands at her with a smile, trying his best to calm her down. "Okay, if you say so. It's alright." He said and nodded. Effe slowly stood straight with a small smile.

"Thank you, Wolfram-sama" She said, getting ready to leave. "Well then, I'll get going." she said and walked out the classroom.

Wolfram shook his head. He should not let her wondering around that much in the school or it wouldn't be good.

"I wonder if Wolfram has gone back to the next class." Yuuri mumbled to his friends.

Murata eyed him with a knowing grin. His glasses glistened and he adjusted it on the bridge of his nose. They were walking out from the cafeteria; Antoine had gone back to the class, saying that he promised Alford to help him with the photocopies and their new assignments. Saralegui was waving at him before following his two friends.

"What's wrong? Worried about him?" Murata asked his teasingly.

Yuuri winced at him and looked away. "No, not that! I'm just wondering why he left all of the sudden." He said blushing.

Saralegui chuckled at his red face. He circled his arm on his neck and touched his cheek with his forefinger.

"And why are you blushing, Yuuri?" Saralegui asked, smirking as Yuuri struggled to get free from his grasp.

"Nothing! Alright! Stop it you guys!" Yuuri groaned at his two friends, he was starting to get irritated by their teasing. His eyes were wandering to the entrance of the library, trying his best to ignore his friends, only to blink when he saw Wolfram standing in front of the oak door, looking confused. A few students walked passed beside him but didn't bother to help him since he wasn't their problem. Yuuri eyed him in wonder.

"Ah, he is there." Yuuri said and broke free from Saralegui's arm.

Saralegui watched him approaching the blond who was looking around as if searching for something or someone. He smiled, adjusting his glasses. "He is interesting, that Wolfram… Shall we follow Yuuri of just wait for the next class here?" Saralegiu asked.

Murata looked at the bench not far from them. "Let's wait here until the next class and wait for Shibuya."

Saralegui smiled when he saw the bench was directly opposites from the large glasses window. They could spy on the two.

Yuuri walked approaching Wolfram who stood in front of the library entrance.

"Wolfram!" He called him and Wolfram looked up to meet his eyes, trying his best not to look surprised.

Even if Yuuri didn't seem to be suspicious at him, maybe he could think of something to make him forget about him suddenly leaving the cafeteria. Wolfram plastered a confused look at him. Yuuri blinked when he saw Wolfram's confused look and looked down at his hand holding the handle of the library's door. He smiled at him as soon as he knew the problem.

"Wolfram, you have to use your ID card to open the door." Yuuri explain while his hand pulled his wallet from his pocket, taking out his own ID card.

Wolfram watched Yuuri press his ID card on the infrared reader and pushed the door opened. He then walked inside holding the door for Wolfram to enter. Wolfram entered the library without a single word and Yuuri watched him walked straight towards a double desk near the window. He smiled, following him nonetheless.

"A 'thanks' would be nice though…" He muttered to him, taking his sit in on the opposite side from Wolfram's. Wolfram broke his thought from a small plan, looked at him, then smirked.

"So… your name…" staring straight to his eyes, he finally spoke up.

Yuuri's eyes widened. "What?! You don't even know my name? Just how many times have we been in the same class today?!" He hissed.

Wolfram frowned when Yuuri started to shout and nodded at the librarian who was glaring to their direction.

Yuuri bowed to her and cupped his mouth, glaring at Wolfram as if it was his fault to begin with.

"I know you are Shibuya."

"Yuuri!"

"Yuri?"

"Yuuri! Pronounce longer! Yuri is a girl's name!" Yuuri shouted frustrated.

Wolfram snorted at his act, he narrowed his eyes at him. "Really? Yuuri then… that Shibuya Yuuri Harajuku Fuuri, isn't that?" He asked, looking at him from the corner of his eyes. He smiled when Yuuri growled.

'Well, isn't he cute when he is frustrated like that?' Wolfram thought, not even realizing what he was thinking until a second later and he quickly looked away. 'What was wrong with me?!'

"How did you know that phrase?! Ohh my… must be the 'bad gang'… laugh as much as you want, I don't care. It's my mother who gave me that name. Complain to her if you want to!" he sighed as if defeated.

Wolfram laughed when he heard that. Yuuri blinked, stared at him for a moment. He laughed? Wolfram von Bielefeld could laugh? He didn't know that the arrogant brat beside him could laugh like that. Yuuri then smiled when he realized he could get to know another side of the blond.

"As if my name was not weird, and I haven't met those you call the bad gang yet." Wolfram muttered.

"Don't try to meet and mess up with them!"

Wolfram huffed at him. "I can handle them myself."

"Oh really? A pampered princely figure like you?"

"Hmph!" Wolfram stuck up his nose and Yuuri laughed at his antics. Wolfram opened his eyes when he heard Yuuri laughing, again. He stared at him then little by little his lips curved into a smile then he too joined the laughter.

"Anyway, what do you want in return? For helping me just now." Wolfram asked, he finally came to his point. He would let him choose whatever he wanted as a reward and then he would tell Yuuri to forget about his odd behavior and probably… he should tell him to forget about Shinou? That's seemed… impossible. He needed a few details about it. Wolfram raised his head high as he stared at him.

Yuuri blinked. "What?" He asked him disbelief, afraid to confirm that what he just heard was true.

"Well, since you've help me out today I'm sure you would like something in return. So, just say whatever it is and be done with." Wolfram said, now crossing his leg over the other.

Yuuri watched him with a raised eyebrow; he couldn't believe what Wolfram just said. Yuuri then smiled and slowly laughed at him.

Wolfram watched Yuuri's lips curve into a smile and rolled his eyes. So, he was no different than other people, it seemed. Leaning against his fist, he waited until the black hair boy stopped laughing.

"What are you? A prince?" Yuuri asked nonchalantly. That question nearly made Wolfram fall over from his sit, his eyes wide.

"What?!" the so called Prince snapped and Yuuri backed away, raising his hands.

"I don't need anything, thanks." Yuuri finished his sentences then smiled at him.

Wolfram glared as he clenched his fist.

"Are you an idiot? People know I'm rich and all of that, even the girls were muttering something unnecessary," Wolfram glared, "I thought you were no different from the others, so don't hold yourself back. State what amount you want or probably something high value." He grimaced at Yuuri who was still smiling.

'What's with him? And I thought that I can do something about making him forget that incident and be done with…!'

Hearing all of that Yuuri leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes. "Is that the reason you made a barrier towards other people?" He opened his eyes when

Wolfram gasped. Those black eyes were staring deep within him when Wolfram's emerald eyes glistened in disbelief. Yuuri leaned closer to him then put his hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay if you don't trust other people, but you can trust me, Murata, Saralegui and Alford or even Antoine. That is if you want to find someone you can trust in this school. We do not need any of those things; all we want is trust and friendship. Can you give that to me, to us? Is that possible, Wolfram?"

Wolfram couldn't take his eyes of those eyes, which seemed blacker than usual. Those words, so warm and calm, he heard one of those words before, he believed he had heard it somewhere... Now, though, he didn't expect this boy in front of him to slap him right on the spot. Wolfram frowned then looked away. Yuuri stared at him sadly.

"It hurts, doesn't it? People think about such thing, even if you want to be friend with them…" He said softly, releasing his shoulder and slowly stood up.

Wolfram looked up at him and looked at the hand, which offered to help him stand up.

"Come on, let's go to the next class. Let's go there together, shall we?" Yuuri asked, waiting for Wolfram to accept his hand.

The blond looked at him then back to the hand, he then slowly raised his hand, clasped and held it firmly. Yuuri looked at his stunned, he did not expect Wolfram to take the offer. He couldn't help but grin when he accepted. Wolfram stood up and smiled at him.

"Okay… if you say so." He said firmly, to make sure that Yuuri was telling the truth. Both walked out from the library hand in hand, laughing.

'He is not bad at all… I think' Both thought, not noticing they were thinking the same as the others. Wolfram looked at him from the corner of his eyes.

'Maybe… I can start believing in Yuuri? After all, I I came here because of him… maybe I can find something that I'm searching for in this school. Along with my duty to search for the King and his memory…and also mine.'

"Wolfram is what?" Gwendal asked Yozak who just reported to him as soon as he arrived.

Yozak nodded at the eldest brother. Gwendal looked down and sighed; massaging his frown when he realized that he had started his usual behavior. Conrad had told him to stay calm every time he received news, even from Shinmakoku. Conrad didn't want his brother to get too tired about handling all of the situations and getting more wrinkles.

"That's what he said, though… we are pretty sure now that the King is nearby." Yozak said. Gwendal stood up from his sit.

"You are right, just make sure that he is safe there, I don't want him to get into trouble… besides, I believe that we have to investigate the kids who know about Shinou. It was Shinou who told us so that Wolfram should go to the school and investigate."

"I will do that." Yozak said with a firm tone. Gwendal looked at Conrad who stood in silent beside his desk, watching Yozak go outside the office.

TBC ~ ^0^