Author's Note: When reading, imagine the bold text being typed out -the dots sounding like computer beeps and the text being typed out, just like in the spy/time/disaster movies/tv shows.
…GREAT DEMON KINGDOM
…BLOOD PLEDGE CASTLE
…DINNER TIME
"What did she mean by that?" wondered Gwendal.
"Lambs in Wolf's clothing? I really don't know," said Conrart.
Gwendal looked at him as a hopeless case. "Let's go in they're probably waiting for us."
The two 'in denial' brothers entered the dinning room. What they heard upon entering the room scared them. "So what does this invention do Anissina?" said Greta's voice. The two men looked to where Greta was standing and pointing to the invention with the snout.
"Don't touch it!!!!" Wolfram yelled as he ran to Greta pushing his brothers out of the way. Wolfram picked up Greta under one arm and returned her to her chair.
"What are those things doing in here?" Gwendal growled as he pointed nervously to the two contraptions. Yozak had had three very weary soldiers move Anissina's inventions into the dinning room. The smaller of the two had been placed on top of a small wooden table. The inventions had been placed along the wall behind Anissina which was seated to the right of Gwendal's usual place directly across from the Maou. That meant that the inventions were to the right of Gwendal.
"We'll be using this room to continue with out meeting after dinner," explained Celi.
"Why here?" grunted Gwendal.
"It is as good as any room, plus we don't have to move the bar afterwards."
"I see," said Gwendal as he reluctantly took his seat near Anissina's monsters.
Conrad looked about the table to see that his usual place next to Wolfram had been taken over by the Great Sage. Next to the right of the Murata sat Yozak and then Gunter to the left of Gwendal. The only place left for him sit was to the right of Anissina. Therefore, much to his displeasure the inventions were to his back left side. To his right was his mother followed by Greta and the Yuuri's vacant chair. Conrart was sure that Murata, Yozak, and Gunter had sat themselves as far away from the inventions as possible, and they had been smart enough not to take Wolfram's place to the right of the Yuuri's vacant chair. He resigned himself to sit next to Anissina.
As soon as Conrart, hesitantly, sat down the maids started dinner service. They served the ladies and Greta first, and then Gwendal followed by the rest of the gentlemen. Wolfram looked at the empty chair to his left wishing Yuuri there. He pouted. He would have loved to play footsies with Yuuri. Unfortunately, Wolfram thought, he was stuck with a perverted Sage to his right.
Wolfram quietly whispered to Murata, "You do know that you are seated in Conrart's place?"
To which Murata responded, "You do see where the inventions are?"
"I understand your concerns," replied Wolfram with a slight chuckle as he eyed Murata with a grin.
…ZURICH
…WIDDER HOTEL
…LOBBY
Yuuri, Angel, and Jose entered the lobby five minutes after seven. Shori had been pacing up and down the lobby waiting for his brother. Bob, Sharon, and Lord Hillary were seated in one the lobby's sofas chatting.
"Yuuri, it's about time you arrived! You're late! You should never keep people waiting, and you…" Shouri was interrupted by Angel. "Shouri don't blame Yuuri for us being five minutes late. It is my fault that we were running a bit behind schedule," Angel said curtly. Why did older brothers have to scold younger ones all the time, thought Angel.
"Jose, you should have kept them on schedule," Shouri scolded Jose.
Bob overhearing Shouri´s ranting said, "Now Shouri they are only five minutes late. If I recall, you made His Majesty wait for you for an entire morning."
"That could not be helped," replied Shouri. "The plane was late in departing and arriving here."
"Well I bet their excuse for being ONLY five minutes late is just a good."
"Bob it's alright. I'm sorry for being late everyone." Yuuri apologised.
"I'm actually surprised that you are only five minutes late with all that you three are carrying," said Bob as he looked at Yuuri and the others carrying bags and boxes from different stores. Shouri in his furry had not bothered to notice everything they three men were carrying. Jose was holding seven garment boxes in his arms, which covered his line of sight, along with four store bags, and Yuuri and Angel were carrying eight different size bags each, which were over stuffed with different items. Shouri looked at his brother questioningly. "What did you buy? Half of Zurich?"
"Eto…." Yuuri was about to scratch the back of his head but realised that he was holding bags.
"Why don't we leave them at the concierge desk," said Angel.
"Good idea!" replied Jose from behind the boxes.
"We'll be waiting for you in the restaurant," said Bob.
Shouri's curiosity was peeked as to what Jose and Angel had bought. He decided to help out by taking some of the boxes from Jose. He could not phantom Yuuri buying anything. Anyway, were would Yuuri obtain the money to go on a shopping spree?
Directing his question towards Jose and Angel Shouri asked, "So what did you two buy?"
"A just bought a shirt, that was on sale, at the Versace store," answered Jose.
Shouri turned to Angel, "How much stuff did you buy?"
"I just bought a couple of shirts, two pairs of trousers, a pair of shoes, and a suit," replied Angel.
"But…but…" Shouri looked at all the bags and boxes, "that doesn't explain everything that your carrying!"
"Most of it is mine," Yurri said offhandedly.
"Where…where…did you get all the money to pay for all this? Don't tell me mom gave you a credit card?"
"She didn't. I bought all this with my own money!" huffed Yuuri.
"Or own money? You don't even have a job!" Shouri pointed out.
"Excuse me? Uh…what about me being King of The Great Demon Kingdom? Is that not a job?"
"Well it is sort of. But that doesn't explain…"
"It does explain. For you information I've been receiving a salary for being King."
Shouri was surprised to say the least. "You are paid a salary?"
"Yep!"
"Why was I not told about this sooner. I should have been informed about this so I could administer your money."
Yuuri exhaled in exasperation. "I don't need you to administer anything. I have advisors. And before you say anything else, I just recently found out that I was receiving a salary. Gunter had been placing in a savings account until he thought that I should be made aware of it, which was after I turned 18. He thought it was fair that I should be made responsible of my salary at that time."
"He should have waited until you were 30! And anyway, how did you exchange it to the currency here?" Shouri was now intrigued.
Yuuri looked at his brother and grinning he said, "Wouldn't you like to know, and I'm not telling you!"
The method was quite simple. Yuuri had Gunter exchange a very small portion of his salary into pure gold bars. Yozak had been kind enough to help Yuuri to Gwendal's vast and private stash of fine Great Demon Kingdom fine liquors, which Bob liked. Bob paid Yuuri handsomely for the special liquors, exchanged the gold into money, and placed said money into a Swiss bank account owned by Bob. Of course Yuuri was not going to tell Shouri this without Bob's consent.
.
"I will find out, and it better not be illegal!"
Yuuri quickly turned to his brother. His face was full of rage. How could his stupid older brother think such of a thing?! "For your information there is nothing illegal going on," Yuuri spat in a low and threatening tone.
Shouri was silenced. "I'm sorry for saying such a thing" he said apologetically to Yuuri.
They reached the concierge desk in silence and left all their boxes and bags except for the rucksack that Yuuri was carrying.
… BLOOD PLEDGE CASTLE
… ROYAL DINNING ROOM
The first course, a delicious red potato and blue leak soup, had been served. The occupants in the dinning room had remained quiet while eating their soup. No one sitting at the table had dared to speak in front Greta and the serving staff. They could not comment about the diary until Greta had been nicely tucked away in bed, and the staff had cleared the room.
Greta let out a bored puff. No one answered her bored puff. She looked around the table to see if anyone was paying attention. The only ones responding to her were her father giving her a glaring look and the Great Sage smiling at her wickedly. She smiled back at him as he raised his spoon from the soup to his lips and SLUUUURRRRP! He smiled again at Greta.
Wolfram snapped his head to the right glaring at Murata. Yozak chuckled internally. 'Boy that had be a loud slurp" he thought. Gunter did not know what to think of the Great Sage doing such a rude thing. Gwendal was not amused. Anissina thought boys will be boys. Conrart looked at the Sage as if saying, 'You should not have done that!' Celi thought that it had been a pretty loud slurp and Greta thought 'Finally some fun!' and begun to giggle. The maids in the background quietly laughed at the Sage's antics.
Murata proceed to take another spoonful of soup. He noticed Wolfram glaring at him. SLUUUUURRRP!. Greta and Yozak started to laugh through their noses. Wolfram looked at his older stern brother. Gwendal was not a happy man. If it had been Yuuri making the rude noise, Wolfram would have kicked him. Instead he leaned towards the sage and said in a whisper, "Gwendal is not amused!"
Murata cocked a sly grin and said, "Oh really, but Greta is amused" -SLUUUUUURRRRP- "and that is who counts." He looked at Wolfram with a big toothy grin. "Dare you to do it!"
Wolfram shook is head.
"Oh, come on! I know that you really want to do it." Murata nudged his head towards Greta. "Do it for you daughter."
"I'm not going to teach my daughter rude manners!"
"Shibuya would, and you need to loosen up."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm just saying that you need to be both Shibuya and you for Greta when he's not here. You are always so prim and proper, and Shibuya well…he's…Shibuya."
Wolfram tried to understand what the Sage was telling him. Maybe he did need to be more carefree around Greta when Yuuri wasn't there. He looked at Murata and smiled. Then he looked at grumpy Gwendal and thought 'what the hell.' SLUUUURRRRP!
Greta started to laugh loudly as her eyes popped out of her head. Did her prissy father just slurp on purpose? She was brought out of her thought process when a booming "WOLFRAM" was heard coming from the direction of Gwendal.
Gwendal stared at his little baby brother. "That was quite rude!"
Wolfram pouted at his older brother, and then he opened his expression into a lovely, cute adorable, wide eyed baby face and said, "Gwenie I dare you to do it!"
Greta, Conrart, Gunter, Murata, Anissina, Celi, and Yozak briskly turned their heads to Gwendal. Cute adorable bratty little brother was tempting older serious no nonsense brother.
Gwendal swallowed hard. That face was tempting.
Greta, Conrart, Gunter, Murata, Anissina, Celi, and Yozak briskly turned their heads to Wolfram.
Wolfram light bulbed his eyes and blinked at Gwendal.
Heads turned to Gwendal.
That expression was becoming way too increasingly adorable for Gwendal.
Heads turned to Wolfram.
Wolfram placed his elbows on the table and cupped his face in his hands al the while smiling like a child to his brother.
Heads turned to Gwendal. That was it. They all knew it. Gwendal did not have a chance. He was done for. Gwendal subconsciously raised the spoon from the soup to his lips and – SLUUUUUURRRRRP!
Everyone started to laugh. "Connie?" said Wolfram as he batted his eyes to his little big brother.
Conrart shook his head. He could not believe he was about to do such a childish thing. SLUUUURRRRP!
"Yozie?" said Wolfram sweetly.
Yozak raised an eyebrow and responded, "Only if Lord von Crist does it!" and he pointed at Gunter with his thumb.
A flustered Gunter quickly responded "Oh really, I.. I… … oh for the life of me…I … really just… could not do such a thing… really…
"Gunter just DO IT!" bellowed Gwendal.
"But …but…I can't… I…I…wouldn't know how too."
Anissina then said, "If I can do it, so can you! Or are you really that flaky?" SLUUUUUURRRRRP!
"Oooo…I…alright…" I barley audible and diminutive slurp was heard coming from a blushing and embarrassed Gunter.
…WIDDER HOTEL
… RESTAURANT
Yuuri had been formally introduced to Lord Hillary as Yuuri Shibuya, Shouri Shibuya's younger brother and not as the King of the Great Demon Kingdom. Lord Hillary was an exemplary example of a true and proper British noble gentleman. He was tall and thin with an air of elegance about him. He appeared to be a man in his seventies although his movements were young and graceful. His face was only lightly lined. He had light blue eyes which showed wisdom, and a monocle covered the right one. His grey hair shined, and was cut perfectly short to suite his elegant face. He wore a simple but yet very British three piece suite with an ascot tie. Yuuri did notice one thing about Lord Hillary, that although he was quite a handsome man for his age, he was a full blooded human. Lord Hillary did not have any demon blood in him. Yuuri wondered what kind of business Bob had with Lord Hillary.
The group had been seated at a large round table in the Widder Restaurant. The Metre D' had taken their orders for dinner, and they were currently eating their first course. Yuuri had chosen the Soupe du Jour, which was a Cream of Potato and Leek. Yuuri looked around the table. Conversations had been kept to a minimum during the first course causing Yuuri to think that it would be funny if he slurped just to break the ice. Then again, his brother would only scold him, and the last thing he wanted was to have Shouri be more of nag than he already was. So Yuuri tossed the slurping idea out and resigned to eat his soup quietly.
He began to wonder what his family in the Great Demon Kingdom were doing. He pouted at the thought that they were probably having a lot more fun during dinner than he was. He was brought out of his thoughts when Lord Hillary surprised him with an unexpected question. "Your Majesty, I have been very curious all my life about the Great Demon Kingdom. Is it different from our world?"
"…" was Yuuri's response. He had believed that Lord Hillary knew nothing about the Demon Kingdom nor that he was the King of said country.
Shouri was kind enough to reply for him. In a superior manner know it all manner he said, "It is very different. They are basically in the middle ages and somewhat backwards."
"Backwards?" Yuuri replied quickly when he heard that word. "You say backwards? In what way?"
"I am talking about their technology and ideals. They should be glad that they have you to bring them into the 21st Century."
"And why would I want to do that? So I can cause air pollution, global warming, and introduce even more destructive power to their world? Cause the extension of already threatened wild life? Burn up natural resources? Is that what I should do? Give Anissina even more ideas? And what do you mean by ideals?"
Everyone was looking at Yuuri when he answered Shouri's remark. They then turned to Shouri to see what he meant by 'ideals'.
"What I mean is their senseless war mongering?"
Heads turned to Yuuri. "Senseless war mongering? What do you mean by that?"
Heads turned to Shouri. "The war between humans and demons."
Heads turned to Yuuri. "Oh I see, so I guess that there are no religious, ethnic cleansing, race, territorial wars currently going on here on Earth. Last time I checked there are millions of people starving to death because of an idealistic war of ethnic cleansing in Africa. And that is between humans! At least, any issues between humans and demons extended from fear and not understanding each others way of life."
At Yuuri's last remark Lord Hillary interrupted. "Fear and misunderstanding? In what way?"
"Demons, in my world, are one with the elements. We have a power inside of us called mayroku., Magic. Some are more powerful than others. Humans on the other hand do not have such power. They fear us because of it. On the other hand demons misunderstand humans. They cannot understand the urgency of life that humans have because demons live centuries compared to decades for humans. Demons are scared of becoming close with humans because of it. I hope to change that. And humans are afraid of demons because of there long life."
"I understand. It's more fear of the unknown." Lord Hillary understood what Yuuri was saying. The young king impressed him.
"Yes, but in some cases it is also racial prejudice." Yuuri thought of Lord Stoffel von Spitzweg and to some extant Lord Waltorana von Bielefeld.
Shouri spoke up. "In the other world, Yuuri and I are called double blacks."
"Double blacks?" questioned Lord Hillary.
"Black eyes and black hair, very uncommon." replied Shouri.
Yuuri added, "Humans considered us unlucky; monsters to be exact, while demons consider us to bring luck and prosperity."
"I wonder what they would think if a Nigerian showed up over there?" wondered Angel out loud.
"Well…I or Murata would be out of a job, or he would be killed instantly if he showed up in Big Cimeron" said Yuuri and added, "I wouldn't want to wish neither on the poor Nigerian."
"You do not wish to be king?" inquired Lord Hillary.
"No I don't mean it that way" Yuuri replied quickly. "What I mean is I wouldn't wish a wailing tutor/advisor, a bodyguard who can't tell jokes and thinks he's funny, a disgruntled general and advisor who gives the scariest looks anyone has ever seen, and a fiery fiancée who is a brat and every other word coming out of his mouth is wimp and cheater.
"Fiancée?" asked a stunned Lord Hilary, "but you're so young!"
"It was an accident" said Yuuri.
Shouri added, "A cultural misunderstanding." Meanwhile, both Angel and Jose looked at each other. It did not seem like an accident or a cultural misunderstanding anymore.
"Can you break it off if you wanted too?" asked Sharon. She sensed that there was a lot more going on.
"Don't want too" replied Yuuri in a serious tone.
"Yuuri?" said Shouri surprised by his younger brother's tone.
"I'll talk to you about it latter Shouri." A waiter removed Yuuri's finished soup as he spoke.
Bob decided to steer the conversation into another direction. "Angel congratulations on in order for the amazing football display that Spain did last night against Austria. It looks like Spain will be ranked number 1 again in the FIFA standings. Sorry Jose." Jose grunted knowing that Brazil would fall to 2.
"Yeah, I'm quite proud of the guys" said Angel.
The conversation continued and a dispute started between Angel and Jose on whether Spain or Brazil would win the next World Cup. Lord Hillary mentioned not to count England out of the running. Shouri added Japan to the mix. Yuuri thought to himself that Murata would have liked that conversation since he was such a football fanatic.
… BLOOD PLEDGE CASTLE
… ROYAL DINNING ROOM
As the second course, consisting of a wild braised duck with red orange sauce, was being served Gwendal said, "I don't want anymore food antics at the table." Murata nudged Wolfram and said "kwok!" Yozak over heard and had to stifle his laugh. Gwendal glared at the three.
"Excuse me Ken" said Greta, "what was that?"
"I said kwok. Like a duck goes kwok kwok" Murata informed her. "On Earth they go quack quack."
Gwendal rubbed his left temple as his left eye began to twitch.
"They don't go kwok?" asked Wolfram slyly.
"No they go QUACK QUACK!"
"Yuuri told me that cats on Earth go meow instead of beeeehhh," said Greta.
To which Murata happily informed her, "Sheep on Earth go BEEEEEEHHHHH!"
Growling could be heard coming from Gwendal's direction. First he had to deal with slurping and animal noises. Gunter taking notice of Gwendal's growling decided to get even with Gwendal for the slurping bit. Therefore he asked, "What do cows sound like on Earth your Highness?"
"Well, instead of…" Greta and Wolfram joined Murata in voicing, "maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah."
Murata continued solo "They go…" Conrart joined him in voicing, "MOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
For the rest of dinner, much to Gwendal's non-enjoyment, animal noises were heard around the table until dessert arrived.
…WIDDER HOTEL
… RESTAURANT
Yuuri was eating his second course, braised duck with an orange and cognac sauce, thinking about what his other family was doing back home. He wished he was there. He would have probably made quacking sounds to make Greta laugh much to Gwendal's annoyance. Wolfram would have called him wimp and told him to stop. But, deep down Yuuri knew that Wolfram would be laughing at his antics. Damn he missed the blond demon…and Greta also in an after thought.
Yuuri ate quietly and listening to the others converse animatedly. The conversation continued on with football and World Cup. He had been surprised when Sharon proudly stated the her home country, the USA, had beaten 'the pants off', as she put it, Spain. He did not know that Sharon was also into football, or maybe it was just a case of national pride. Yuuri eventually wondered what team Bob supported. "Bob, what country do you support?" he asked.
Bob smiled and said, "I support all nations."
Sharon then added, "Bob supports all nations, but I wonder why he was jumping up and down win Switzerland qualified?"
"Who do you support your Majesty?" asked Bob.
"I guess I'll have to say Japan" replied Yuuri and added, "I'm not into football. I prefer baseball."
"Actually he is a baseball fanatic" said Shouri.
"I guess I am. I'm trying to make it into the national sport in The Great Demon Kingdom."
The conversation turned to baseball which Yuuri, Jose, and Sharon discussed at length. Angel and Lord Hillary kept quiet not knowing anything about the sport. Yuuri explained how Conrart had ordered the construction of a baseball field, how Conrart and he played catch and matches with some of the locals, how he was teaching Greta the game, and how he tried to have Wolfram become interested in the game but to no avail. He really would like to have Wolfram play the game. Everyone took notice how Yuuri's conversations always seemed to include Wolfram.
… BLOOD PLEDGE CASTLE
… ROYAL DINNING ROOM
The maids had cleared the table and desert and tea had been served. The desert consisted of a simple yet moist strawberry filled white cake topped with fresh strawberries and vanilla whipped cream. Murata played slowly with his whipped cream much too Wolfram's annoyance. "Mmmmmmmm" said Murata through is nose as he slowly licked a small amount of cream while eyeing Wolfram through the corner of his eye.
"Stop it!" said Wolfram visibly irritated in a low whisper.
"I can't help it. It's….to delicious." said Murata in a low whisper that only Wolfram could hear.
"Delicious or not… just stop!" Wolfram said out of the corner of his mouth.
Murata took another spoonful of whipped cream along with some cake and was about to lick it when Wolfram said, "Greta, it is about time for you to go to bed." Murata quickly ate his piece of cake knowing what Wolfram had insinuated.
"But its early Wolfram" Greta complained.
"I think Wolfram is right Greta" Gwendal said whilst eyeing the bar setup.
"I'll read you the next chapter of Little Vermilion Ridding Hood" Wolfram added.
"Can you read me my new story?" asked Greta as she ate a chunk of her dessert.
Wolfram had a forbidding feeling, "New story?"
"Poison Lady Anissina and the Steely Blue Eyed Green Monster!" proclaimed Greta.
"That is my latest children's story" said Anissina and she added as she looked at Gwendal, "I based the antagonist on you Gwendal." To which Gwendal grunted while several chuckles were heard around the table.
"Hurry up and finish your dessert Greta. I have to read this!" said an enthusiastic Wolfram.
"You better read her Little Vermilion Ridding Hood" said Gwendal.
Both Greta and Wolfram ignored him and quickly finished their desserts. Wolfram quickly rose from the table, took Greta by the hand, and quickly left the dinning room. The rest, with smiles on their faces, also finished their desserts.
The maids quietly removed the empty dessert plates and on cue Murata rose from the table, walked to the bar trolley, and said, "Who would like an after dinner drink?"
…WIDDER HOTEL
… RESTAURANT
Yuuri was quietly, more like lost in his on thoughts, eating his strawberry shortcake with Grand Marnier whipped cream. Several conversations were taking around the table. When ever someone asked him a question he just nodded his head in response. He really did not want to talk to anyone. He was to engrossed in his thoughts about a certain blond to heed anyone's questions. Why after all this time did Wolfram want to break their engagement? Was Wolfram not really in love with him as he had proclaimed several times in the past couple of years? Actually, the last time Wolfram had told him that he loved him was many months ago. Did he, Yuuri, make Wolfram wait to long?
Shouri taking notice of his younger brother's rare quietness called out to him. "Yuuri?" Yuuri did not appear to hear him. "Yuuri" he said a little louder.
"Mmmmm" replied Yuuri.
"Yuu-chan!"
Yuuri pooped out of his thoughts, "Sorry… yes Shouri?
Shouri rose from his chair and walked over to Yuuri. He place his hand on Yuuri's shoulder, leaned in, and whispered, "What is troubling you?"
Yuuri looked up into Shouri's eyes and saw nothing but brotherly concern. Yuuri thought for a second and knew that if he did not talk to someone soon about his troubles than he was going to blow up. Who better to talk to than Shouri. Shouri could be a royal pain and most of the time want to interfere in his life, but when came to his personal life Shouri had never said anything. "Can I talk to you… privately?" asked Yuuri quietly.
"Sure, follow me." Shouri straightened up and excused themselves from the rest. Yuuri picked up his rucksack and followed Shouri out of the restaurant. Once out of the restaurant they found a settee tucked away in the corner of the hallway. Shouri led Yuuri to it and they both sat down.
"So Yuu-chan, would you mind telling me what is troubleing you?" Shouri raised his hand in a stop motion at Yuuri halting him from interrupting him. "And before you say 'nothing', I know that there is something wrong. You have not been your usual carefree person today."
"Has it been that noticeable?"
"Yes. Besides you have snapped at me all day long. Not that I have not deserved it. But, you usually just ignore me."
"I do don't I.?" Yuuri grinned at his brother.
"Mind telling me what is wrong?"
Yuuri pulled the rucksack up to his lap, unzipped the back pocket, and pulled out a plastic bag. Inside the bag, Shouri noticed, was a piece of parchment. Yuuri handed the plastic bag to his brother. Shouri took it, and opened it taking out the parchment. He unfolded it and attempted to read what was written. He could not completely make out what it said since it was written in demon language. All he really understood was Yuuri's name and Wolfram's name. He had not really had a chance to study demon language since he was preparing to become Bob's successor. "I'm sorry; I don't understand what is written."
"It's an official petition. It basicly says that Lord Wolfram von Bielefeld wants to terminate his engagement to King Yuuri Shibuya."
"Yuu-chan!" said Shouri with brotherly concern and surprise. "Why?"
"I don't know. Maybe he's tired of me. Maybe it's because of what happened at the ball?"
"What ball? What happened?"
Yuuri explained what happened and what was said. Shouri's expression darkened when he heard what the so called ladies had said. He made remarks during the story. When Yuuri finally concluded with what had happened that night Shouri said, "I can see why Wolfram would be fuming. It is like him to be somewhat rash into jumping to conclusions. But maybe this is for the best Yuu-chan. Not unless you really have feelings for him. Which I believe you do, don't you?
Yuuri nodded sadly.
Shouri smiled at. "Well it's about time you finally realised it."
Yuuri looked at Shouri surprised.
"Don't look at me like that. I've always known that you felt a certain something for Wolfram. You would have broken off the engagement a long time ago if you hadn't. Do you love him?"
"Yeah, I love the brat" said Yuuri while he blushed. Shouri was the first person he had confessed his undying love for Wolfram.
"Have you told him?"
"I've tried to on several occasions. But every time that I try to approach him, he stiffens up and barks at me. 'What do you want wimp?' he says."
"And let me guess… you wimp out!"
Yuuri lowered his head in shame. "Yeah."
Shouri looked at the parchment that he was still holding. "What is the exact wording on this?
"It says that Wolfram von Bielefeld wishes to terminate his accidental engagement, due to a cultural misunderstanding, with Yuuri Shibuya and blah, blah, blah. Really official."
Shouri raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Why don't you sign it?"
"Uh? I don't want to break it off. I want to marry him eventually."
"Sign it. The engagement was accidental after all. Why don't you make it non-accidental?"
"Uh?"
"Break it off, and then slap him intentionally. Then He'll understand how you feel."
Yuuri looked at his brother and for the first time that day he smiled his charming goofy smile. "I could sign it and then propose to him in front of everyone. That way no one will ever say that our engagement was an accident." Yuuri's brain went into overdrive. "I could do it the day after tomorrow. Have a small ball and say it's because the Maou wants to party! And then I could give him his present."
"You could do that… Wait what present?"
Yuuri opened his rucksack and pulled out the bag from the jewellery store and handed it Shouri. Shouri gave Yuuri the parchment along with the plastic bag as he took the jewellery store bag. He opened it and pulled out the velvet box. He opened it, and his glasses slid off his nose as his eyes popped out of their sockets. "Yuuri what…where…how…"
Yuuri decided to put his brother out of his misery, and Bob would understand. "I ordered it a couple of months ago when I was here last time. How did I pay for it? As I told you before I have a salary. I had Gunter exchange a small portion of into gold bars. I brought them with me yesterday and Bob was kind enough to open a bank account under my name. And yes, I had spoken to Bob about this last time I was here." He did omit Gwendal's private stash.
"Oh… why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you always stick you nose into my business. I wanted to do this on my own. And also, you would've gone off and tell dad about it. He then would start crunching more numbers, start investing for me, and then I would not stop hearing about investment this and investment that."
"I see your point when it comes to dad and mom." Shouri nodded at Yuuri's statement. "How much to you bring?"
"Well I told Gunter to exchange my salary into two kilo's worth. He said it was not enough for his beloved majesty and so he exchanged ten kilos worth. He wanted to do more."
"TEN KILOS? How much do you have?"
"I think Gunter said that there is enough for five hundred kilos" said Yuuri nonchalantly. He really did not understand the exchange rates. On the other hand, Shouri did understand the exchange rate and almost fainted. He started calculating how much five hundred kilos were in Swiss Franks, then in Euros, then in Yens and finally in US Dollars.
Yuuri finally brought Shouri out of his thoughts. "So what do think of it? Do you think he'll like it?"
"It's beautiful. It's a cravat chain, right?"
"Yeah."
"I also notice that there is quite amount of black. Anyone will clearly see your intention."
"Yep, no one will be able to question our relationship anymore." Yuuri turned sombre as another thought crossed his mind. "What if he doesn't accept?"
"Yuuri, he will accept you and it also" Shouri said has he handed the jewellery box back to Yuuri. "And if he doesn't he'll have to answer to me and mom."
Yuuri smiled at him and said, "It's MAMA!" Both brothers laughed and Shouri pulled Yuuri into a hug. "Don't worry Yuu-chan. Everything is going to be alright."
Still in his brother's embrace Yuuri asked, "Why don't you come with me? I liked to have a family member at the ball."
Shouri gently pushed Yuuri back and looked at him in surprised. "Do you know that it is the first time you have actually asked me to come with you?"
Yuuri thought about it. "I guess it is."
"For the first time you ask me… I have to say no. I can't go. I have several things pending here."
"Oh…"
"Why don't you bring Wolfram here and then we can all celebrate. I bet he would like that."
"Alright, I'll do that!"
"When do you plain on leaving?"
"I'm planning on leaving latter tonight." Yuuri thought he better tell Shouri the truth. "Also your friend Angel is quite persuasive. I told him he could come with me as a doctor wanting to learn more about demon treatments."
"Not as an ambassador?"
"Not as an ambassador. Although I think it is a good idea, I will have to run it by Gwendal and Gunter first."
"I'm glad that you like the idea."
"Yeah, it also gave me an idea on who to send here as ambassador" Yuuri said as he raised his eyebrows at his brother.
"Who?"
"You'll see."
"Not Anissina?" Shouri asked frightened.
"Oh for Shinou's sake noooooooooooo! I'm not that crazy."
"Scared me there for a second" said a very relieved older brother.
Yuuri attention was drawn towards the restaurant's entrance when he saw Jose waving at them. "Shouri, Jose is calling us over."
"I guess that we're about to leave."
The brothers rose from settee and went over towards Jose as the rest of the group was joining him also. It was time to head back to Bob's place.
A/N- What can I say? I had the dreaded writer's block. Aslo I have written 3 different scenarios between Wolfram and Yuuri. I don't know with which one to go with.
Oh, yeah... Up next....Mr. Splitends.