Title: Pride and Prejudice

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Author: isumi'kivic'

Betas: Invikta and Mabs-fantasy

Pairings: My primary need, YuuriWolfram. Some ShinouDaikenja a.k.a ShinouMurata. Rawr.

Warnings: Standard warnings—shounen-ai, yaoi, and OOC-ness. Much sappy-ness in this chapter, just because I'm in the mood. XP This is an interlude, by the way...

Disclaimer: As much as I need YuuriWolfram on a daily basic, I don't and I can't own them. They own each other, and Takabayashi Tomo-sensei has a legal right to do whatever he wants with them…hey, do you think if I terrorize him, he'd give KKM to me? hides under the table

A/N: I'm sorry for the late update! I will explain my reasons at the end of this chapter, really. Thank you for all who had reviewed and read the last chapter. I owe you so much.

I have a question... or actually, an assumption. Since the starting of season three, I hadn't seen—or heard—Wolfram accusing Yuuri or yelling "Cheater" at him. Not even once. And yet, I also hadn't heard Yuuri denying their engagement or saying things equal to that. What does this mean? Anyone have an assumption? I have my own, already, but I'd like to know what you think about it, too...

Thank you much much, as usual, for Vivi-sama and Az-sama. There's no beta could be as wonderful as both of you. I love you to death. T-T

Enjoy the eleventh chapter, minna-san, and give me your feedback! They're drugs... and I'm addicted to every each of them. XD

--o0o--

"Rink, go to sleep now if you want to get a little taller." –Zech, White Utopia-

For D'AVES, I just miss you guys so much...

--o0o--

Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 10: Turmoil

The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was the luxurious, high, white ceiling.

He blinked several times, and faintly caught soft, wrecked sobs coming from someone at his side. Sleepily, he moved his head to get a good look.

The sight of a little girl—her face was hidden under cute, curly brown locks, droplets of water falling down from where the weeping orbs were hidden behind her palms—sitting on the chair next to his bed greeted him.

"W...Wolf…fram...mm..." her voice was choked, drowned in the heartbreaking sobs.

Weakly, he brought his hand up, caressing the curly brown bangs. The little girl gasped at the touch.

"Wolfram!"

With surprising gentleness, she leaned in to hug him carefully, and Wolfram was astonished at how thoughtful she was being. But she was still crying, even harder, while repeating again and again about how sorry she was, and how she didn't mean anything she had done.

"Greta…" softly, he whispered. "It's okay, it's not your fault."

She nodded, her body shuddered. "Greta's so sorry, Wolfram…"

He smiled. "Now, Greta, no one will blame you. Well, if anyone did, I'll make sure he'll be sorry."

That got him a small smile from the little princess.

He gave her a sign to help him sit up. Obediently, she helped him prop himself on the hill of pillows. He sighed, eyes roaming to all corners of the room, before finally settling back on the little princess' figure.

"Where..."

"We're back in Fuurin-san's castle," she answered, wiping the remnants of tears on her cheeks. After a second thought, she added, "Yuuri had been here, too. Both of us were waiting for you to wake up. Fuurin-san just called him to talk about something shortly."

Wolfram let a sincere smile crept up his face. Yuuri would never change. He would do this to anyone. But to have Greta here by his side was something he was thankful of. IT was much better to wake up and have someone you loved watching over you…

Even if it wasn't your fiancé… or brothers.

The thought started him. His last memory before he blacked out on the battlefield rushed into his mind… Isenbert, ready to kill him, and the huge spikes shot up from ground, and… the last, the familiar voice shouting his name in a worried tone…

"Aniue..." his heart beat faster. He turned to Greta and asked, "Greta, can you get Yozak to come here?" I want to know what happened after I blacked out.

The little princess blanched, and hesitated for a second. "Umm... but... Yozak had been awake all night watching over Conrad, and Greta doesn't want to wake him up..."

Wolram's attention was instantly perked up. "Conrad? What happened?" his eyes were narrowed immediately.

The brunette girl clasped her mouth, terrified. She shook her head vigorously. "Greta doesn't know, Wolfram! But both Gwendal and Conrad were hurt…" she trembled. "...and it's all Greta's fault, ne...?" another droplet of tears hit the floor.

Wolfram felt his head swim when his daughter mentioned his brothers' condition, and the fact that Greta was crying again only made it worse. Still, he pulled her into a tight embrace, stroking her back several times until her sobs subsided, and finally pulled away.

"Then, why don't you go and get Yuuri for me? I'm sure he's flirting with some of the maids." His fingers moved to wipe the transparent crystals in the brunette's eyes. "And please don't cry. Yuuri wouldn't like it."

Greta nodded softly, before pulling away. Smiling at Wolfram, she made her way to the door and exited the room.

The blond prince growled as another wave of sleepiness washed him. Damn it, dammit! He cursed inwardly. Although I tried… I tried to hold on... but the curse is stronger... it makes me weak. And because I'm weak… Aniuetachi were…

Fear of not knowing what had happened to his brothers crept into his heart. He needed only one second to decide, before he carefully got off the bed and walked unsteadily out of the room he was in. Creeping into the hallway, he caught a sight of Yozak exiting a room at the end of the hallway to his left.

Lucky! His heart cheered.

Slowly, he moved down the hallway to the room Yozak had just come out of.

--o0o--

Fuurin sighed. "Yuuri-heika, I..." she hesitated. "I really… don't want to talk about this at this kind of time, but…"

"Nah, it's okay, Fuurin-san!" the Maou laughed slightly, although exhaustion was evident on his face. Secretly, Fuurin admired Yuuri's determination. She had seen how the boy took care of a lot of things—with the help of the Sage, too—since he had regained consciousness and saw that the three brothers were all unconscious after the battle. And Fuurin knew, it was hard for the soukoku, for the fact that not only he was still counted new as a King, but also he usually had Gwendal—or Günter—to take care of prisoners and things like that.

To think that he was only 16… Fuurin shook her head.

"Caloria would like to take over one prisoner from you, Yuuri-heika," Fuurin began carefully. "We would like to hold his trial here in Caloria—in respect of Hans' family."

Understanding dawned upon the Maou. "Oh..."

"Of course, we promise we will hold the trial justly, Heika," she added quickly. "It's just that… if the trial—his trial—could be held here, it would give a great relief and a small satisfaction for Hans' family... knowing and seeing with their own eyes that Hans' murderer is punished justly. They would want to..."

Yuuri held his hand. "I understand, Fuurin-san," he smiled reassuringly. "And I think it's possible, although I'll need to ask Murata about this. I will ask your patience for that."

Fuurin looked relieved. "Thank you very much, Yuuri-heika."

It was then the humongous wooden door of Fuurin's cozy study was opened, revealing the familiar figure of Shin Makoku's princess.

"Greta?" Yuuri stood up, alarmed by the red nose and the puffy eyes of the brown-haired girl. "What is it?"

The girl rushed into her father's embrace, and said in excited tone, "Wolfram's awake, Yuuri! He's finally awake!" this time, tears of happiness flowed freely from the warm brown orbs.

Fuurin watched Yuuri's eyes lit up instantly with relief and happiness as the Maou exclaimed in disbelief and hugged his daughter more fiercely, relieved laughter rang, filling the room. The lady of Caloria smiled knowingly.

"I am sure you would like to see him, Heika." She rose to her feet and bowed politely, hiding the knowing smile. "Then, I will leave you on your own."

"Arigatou, Fuurin-san!" Yuuri grinned, as Greta impatiently dragged her father out of the study. "See you later then!"

A she watched the two figures exited the room, Fuuri couldn't help but chuckled. The aura of happiness Greta had brought into the room radiated, and it gave her back her spirit.

--o0o--

The sight of his brothers lying on two separate beds in the room; wrapped in blankets, faces nearly as pale as the moon, unmoving, and deep in a peaceful exhausted sleep, shocked him to the core.

As if he was dreaming, Wolfram moved slowly, unsteadily, eyes fixed in disbelief on the figures of his sleeping brothers. He could feel his whole body trembling, so hard that he nearly tripped over his own foot. It felt as if he was in a surreal realm.

There was just no way his brothers were knocked down like this. His brothers. His two brothers.

It was just impossible.

But it was reality.

He staggered, stepping on the small space between the two beds, and fell onto the chair someone had placed there earlier. Maybe Yozak slept on that chair. Another wave of exhaustion swept over him, and for a second, Wolfram thought he was going to black out again. But he didn't. So he took a deep breath, and shakily bent over his oldest brother to have a good look.

Gwendal's face was pale, even paler than Conrad's. Traces of exhaustion could still be seen on his sleeping face. The blond prince could also see the bandaged arm beneath the thin blanket. Wolfram bit his lip.

Aniue… what happened?

Turning around, he decided to take a look at his other brother. Tentatively, he lifted a little the blanket covering Conrad's figure. His hand froze in midair as his eyes took in the thick bandage wrapping Conrad's abdomen.

Soundlessly, he dropped back the blanket, suddenly feeling weak. He fell onto the chair—his head swam, his body trembled, his eyes stung, his breath quickened—and before he knew it tears started falling down from his eyes to his palm, leaving a wet trail on his cheeks.

Stupid, stupid Aniuetachi…

Somehow, Wolfram knew he was the cause of his brothers' current condition. He knew Gwendal had been the one to save him—and protect him—from Isenbert's deadly attack after he blacked out. Sometime after that, he would guess, Conrad must have joined in the fight and went against Isenbert with Gwendal. But what Wolfram couldn't understand though, was why it took both of his brothers to win over Isenbert. Was the leader of Black Dawn that strong?

But none of it mattered now. What mattered now was that he was there, sitting between his two unconscious brothers, alive and would live, while his brothers were struggling between the thin line of life and death. And it was all because of him.

"Damn it..." he cursed, the tears falling down freely from his emerald eyes. "Dammit… why do you have to be so stupid, Aniue? Why do you two have to be so overprotective? I'm not a child… and I…"

I'm not… worth it…

"Can't you just let me go? Aniue…" he gritted his teeth, and then broke, "Chiisa-aniue...?"

Silence answered his broken sobs, as tears over flew from his eyes, trailing down his cheeks and fell onto his palms on his knees. He balled his hand tightly until his knuckles were white, as he tried to contain the escaping sobs, but to no avail.

"I'm not… that selfish..." the words came in a whisper. "I can't continue living knowing both of you…" he trailed off, and coughed a little as he choked on his breath. He took a deep breath to calm himself. "It's better if I was the one hurt. Besides, my time wouldn't be long. The curse is working, and I'll fall in less than a month… so what's the difference if I fall now? You should've just… let me go..."

His eyes fell on his oldest brother. For once, he let a sincere, melancholic smile crept up his face, and his gaze turned tender.

"You saved me, didn't you? Aniue…?" his voice was weak. "Even though I told you countless times that I don't… need your protection…" a tear fell on the blanket. "But the truth is... I would always need you. Because I'm… not... strong enough… not good enough...

"...and that's why both of you are always being so protective over me. I'm right, aren't I? I'm useless..." his hand moved to touch Gwendal's arm beneath the blanket tentatively.

"But Aniue... Chiisa-aniue..." he whispered painfully. "The protection you've created for me… the secure and safe chambers behind the castle walls… all of it…it doesn't only protect me," he paused with a painful look on his eyes. "It also hurts me."

"Do you know, Aniue, how much I want to prove myself to you? So I can stand tall and protect what's precious to me? Yuuri, Greta, Hahaue... you... and... Chiisa-aniue, too?" he bit his lip, hard. "Have you ever thought about that?

"I admire you, Aniue. You've always been... really good in a lot of things. Your capability in politics... your calmness and your strong will. And yet... you still have a soft side..." Wolfram let a soft chuckle rippled from his throat. "If I'm allowed to hope, Aniue... I'd wish I could be good enough for you. To make you proud of me. I'd do anything if it meant you'd be proud of me."

He turned to look at his 'little-big-brother'. "No one would be able to tell how scared I was when you were sent to Ruttenberg. Of course," the youngest prince chuckled bitterly in a hoarse voice. "They say Wolfram hates his brother because he is half-human..." he paused, and there was a wistful look on his eyes. "Sometimes I wish I could really hate you, Chiisa-aniue. Because if I could, I wouldn't be hurt. I wouldn't care…

"I want to hate you. Because then, when the time came and you have to leave us, I wouldn't be hurt. Because eventually, you'll leave us. And I… I'd be hurt. And I wouldn't know how to cope with it. And that's why I hate you…" he shook his head, correcting himself. "…that's why I tried to hate you. But I can't. Because like Aniue, you are, and will always be my brother."

Helplessness shone on the glistening emerald orbs as Wolfram murmured, "I wish I knew how to show you what I feel earnestly. Both of you. I wish somehow you'd know.

"I wish you didn't make the castle wall to protect me... because I only see it as a cage..." a sob escaped. "I know, I understand, that Aniuetachi wants to protect me, but really, it chokes me. Even now. And you said once, years ago, that my nature as a fire wielder is to be free…

"Inside the cage, Aniue, it's lonely. It's scary, Chiisa-aniue..." Wolfram's mind drifted back to the times when he was a child, being left alone while everybody was busy with the war. "Even though you only wanted to protect my innocence from the bloody war, but you couldn't protect me from what I felt. All the lonely nights, every time I saw another kid playing with his siblings... you don't know how I wish... how I wish that I could be like them...

"Every time the news bringing names of dead soldiers came, I refused to see it because I was terrified that Chiisa-aniue's name would be there. Every time someone told me to get you to play with us, Aniue, I refused because I knew you'd be too busy and I'd only give you more headache. Even then… I couldn't help..."

Wolfram broke down, sobs and whimpers escaped him, as he pressed his hands on his face, trying to be strong and held the tears unsuccessfully. His body shuddered, strong wave of emotions he had trapped and buried deep inside his heart washed his whole being.

"I couldn't help wishing… that I'm not Wolfram von Bielefeld..."

Silence filled the room, only broke by the intense sobs came out of his mouth.

"But all of it doesn't matter..." he managed to whisper. "It doesn't matter... I don't matter... nothing matters as long as both of you alive and well. Shin Makoku needs both of you. Hahaue needs you. Yuuri needs you, Greta, too. I... need you… Aniue… Chiisa-aniue...

"I'd do anything. You can let me go, can't you? Please… wake up. Please… don't leave me..."

--o0o--

Behind the wooden door of the room where Gwendal and Conrad was in, Yuuri stood, leaning onto the door, eyes wet with unshed tears. His heart beat so fast that he thought it was going to burst. His head pounded painfully, and his mind was hazy that he couldn't think. Next to him, Greta was sobbing, hands over her mouth to quiet herself. Yuuri's hand gripped her shoulder tightly subconsciously, but Greta didn't even wince in the slightest.

"Wolfram..."

--o0o--

The Daikenja was leaning over the little fountain in the front yard of the castle. His eyes were intent on the little wave rippling calmly on the surface of the water. Every ripple was a pattern. Every slightest movement of the water was a signal. Every wave was Shinou's word.

I see you missed me already.

The Daikenja scrunched up his face, making a scowl. He hated it when Shinou could see through him, even when they were too far apart. His hands hovered above the surface of the water, sending his maryoku. The water rippled into waves.

I was just going to ask about how everything was going over there. Don't be ridiculous.

Several seconds later, the water rippled. In Murata's eyes, the ripple turned into an amused laugh of the original King, mocking him.

Why would you want to know? I know Ulrike had told you everything you want to know. Besides, it seems you had much fun over there with the mission I gave you. The soukoku could see Shinou's glinting eyes on the gleaming water. You need to be honest sometimes, my Daikenja.

Murata's eyes narrowed.

And you need to stop meddling with other's life. You know how to break the curse now, don't you?

Geez. Your suspicions hurts me.

Murata sighed in exasperation. He moved a little one of his fingers, sending a fiercer maryoku. Shinou needed to know that he wasn't kidding.

Or flirting for that matter.

Shinou, why don't you tell us about how to break the curse? I'm sure Gwendal and Conrad would be very grateful if you do.

Ah? Now you're angry? The water rippled, and Murata knew Shinou was chuckling. My Daikenja, the fates already orchestrates this. I cannot ruin it all by meddling with it. If I did, I'd only make it worse.

Sometimes, worse in your point of view is better in another's points of view.

The ripples changed, bringing Shinou's serious tone. Not in this one. I can promise you that. Don't you believe me, my Daikenja?

Murata sighed. The original king always asked too much of him.

Of course I trust you.

He saw the color of the water was fading into bright transparent blue, and he could feel Shinou's sincerity then.

Thank you. That is all I wanted to hear.

Fighting the blush that was creeping up his face, Murata replied.

It's my role to do so.

Should I come over there?

The offer was sincere, Murata could feel it radiating from the maryoku he felt. But no, he didn't really need Shinou at the moment. He could handle everything now.

No, you don't need to. Unless you've missed me so much.

The water rippled fiercer, and Murata knew Shinou was laughing hard.

Yes, I miss you. I want my moon to come back quickly. See you soon, then, my Daikenja.

The soukoku took a deep breath as he leaned back from the fountain. He looked up to the sky, and saw the perfectly round moon above. Stupid Shinou. He's more stupid when he's flirting.

He would never say it out loud, but he couldn't stop his heart from shouting the words.

I miss you, too. Shinou.

--o0o--

Yuuri couldn't sleep.

There were so many things whirling in his mind. Shin Makoku. Gwendal and Conrad's condition. Greta. Wolfram. Curse?

The word kept repeating in his head. Curse. What curse? Did something happen to Wolfram when he was away on Earth? If Wolfram really has a curse, someone must have casted it. But when? Surely Gwendal and Conrad would protect their brother—it's their nature to be overprotective. Then, when? No, the smart question would be, how?

And what would happen if the curse won over Wolfram? Yuuri felt an indescribable fear probed his heart, and spread throughout his whole being. Yes, what would happen, then? Would he die? Would he…?

Whatever would happen, Yuuri knew it would be something horrible. Because… because Wolfram said it… he asked Gwendal and Conrad to let him go...

Go where? Where, Wolfram?

Then, does it mean Wolfram would leave him too?

Yuuri sat up right, momentarily forgetting the fact that his daughter was sleeping soundly beside him. His breath quickened.

Wolfram... would leave him.

He shook his head, trying to clear his head.

No, he wouldn't. Wolfram wouldn't leave him. Wasn't it him who said, "If you fall, I'll fall with you?"

The thought brought a flush up his face. He never actually thought of how deep the meaning of that statement was.

But... if Wolfram fell first... then Yuuri wouldn't have anyone to fall with him if he fell…

That meant... he would be alone?

A shiver ran down his spine. The thought itself was scary.

The curse, he reminded himself. If he could find out what the curse was about, then he would be able to find a way to break it. And if he could break it… then... Wolfram wouldn't have to…

Wait a minute. Does Gwendal and Conrad know about this? Anger built inside him. Why didn't they tell him? Why did they keep it as a secret from him? Why did they have to keep everything secret from him? Wolfram... was his friend. Heck, scratch that. Wolfram was his fiancé, and Yuuri had a right to know! Yes!

Wait, what was he thinking?! They're both guys, and the engagement was just an accident! He didn't have any feeling whatsoever towards the blond prince, even if Wolfram did have something toward him. And it had nothing to do with the curse!!

Oh, that was right. He still hadn't found out what caused the curse. Maybe Murata would know? Nah, as if Murata would tell him if he asked. He'd only smirk knowingly at Yuuri and his glasses would glint…

But he had helped Yuuri several times. He answered Yuuri several times. Then if Yuuri asked now, who knew he would give some answers…or clues?

Wait… what would he ask Murata? Right. First off, about whether Murata knew or not about the curse. And then, if he said yes, then Yuuri would ask about the origin of the curse, and how to break it. Lastly, he'd ask why was his heart beating so fast every time he caught a glimpse of blonde hair, or emerald eyes, or even the yellow flower he recognized as Beautiful Wolfram…

Hey! Yuuri shook his head again, trying to clear his mind. Argh! Why was it so hard to concentrate? It felt like his mind was in some kind of turmoil. One issue after another popped out randomly, followed by another quickly, all demanding his attention.

But it did, though. His heart, he meant. It does beat faster every time he caught a glimpse of something that reminded him of the golden-haired mazoku prince. Well, it had been like that for a while, now… it just got worse since the... Yuuri could feel his face getting hot. Since the incident in the woods… when they were on their way to the Kelv Valley.

Well... Wolfram looked very, very adorable that time... Yuuri reasoned. And Yuuri was confused, too. About the whole Black Dawn ordeal. And worried. Of Greta, that is. Yes. And he was lost, remember? So he couldn't actually think straight when he was about to... kiss Wolfram and Wolfram fell back asleep…

Right?

But then, why was it getting worse now? If it was caused by the whole problems about Black Dawn and Greta, why was it getting worse now? When Black Dawn was defeated and Greta was safe and sound, sleeping next to him?

Yuuri felt like tearing his hair, even though he knew it wouldn't do any good. He sighed, and turned towards the little prince sleeping beside him.

Usually, there was always another boy right next to Greta and him. A boy with golden locks, and fair skin, sleeping in ungraceful manner yet still beautiful...

Yuuri couldn't help but reminisce and smile.

He wished that Wolfram was here. So he could ask him what was wrong. And Wolfram would answer honestly. He had never let Yuuri down; he'd never lied to Yuuri. Wolfram was his most trusted friend. The one he depended on. The one he cherished very much. His treasured... fiancé...

Wait, what? Arrgh...

He buried his face on the pillow, and let out a long sigh.

He didn't understand himself at all.

What's happening to him?

--o0o--

tbc?

--o0o--

A/N: I know, I know, it was too short! I feel so, too! But then, I can't do anything! I don't even have a computer to type a chapter on! Here's my problem: I'm back in my country, where internet is NOT something cheap. And then, school had started just a week after I arrived in my country, so I really had no time to touch the computer at all! I had to enter my dormitory, which stupidly doesn't have any computer or laptop whatsoever I can use to type on! So I had to wait until I got back home, which only happens once a month, and type it all, send it to Vivi-sama and Az-sama, before trying with all my might to get permission to go to an internet café to post this. Also, I have to do my senior year all over again because that was the agreement I made last year when I got the exchange program. So I can't slack off too much because I'm in my senior year. So yes, I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, but I really can't do anything. –Runs off and cries-

I only hope that all of you would be patient waiting for the updates from now on. I'm such a bad writer, I know that. But I'm trying with all that I can. So please forgive me! Meanwhile, I tried to write the next chapter in my book, before typing it at home when I got back. I'm really, really sorry for the inconvenience.

Thank you for reading this far and forgive me for all I could and couldn't do. T-T Enthusiastic reviews and constructive criticisms are luffed. And hearted, of course. No flame, please. It's hot enough without one, really.

Next chapter: "Letting go is truly hard, do you know, Wolfram?"

Mata ato de?

-isumi'kivic' and Ilde-