Whatever Conrad had expected from this confrontation, those calm words from his younger brother's mouth were not a part of it.
'Why can't I understand anything? That's it?' Conrad mused, looking perplexed.
The way his brother was acting in front of Yuri, Conrad was completely convinced that it was the end for him. He was expecting something more along the lines of loud screaming, lots of insults and bloody physical violence. The unnaturally calm question spilling out of Wolfram's mouth had completely taken him off-guard.
He was feeling distinctly uncomfortable...like it was the calm before the storm. So, he waited and waited, but the storm never came. Instead, his younger brother kept looking at him intensely. He finally realized that he was waiting for his reply.
Quickly gathering his wits, Conrad replied with a flawless poker face and an ever-present confident tone, trying to look reprimanding, "Wolfram look...I know that you are very much hurt. And I also agree that maybe Yuri's way of doing things was not right. And although I don't know what you believe I don't understand, but I do understand, at least, this much very well that it still doesn't give you any authority to treat or speak to the king in the manner that you have, no matter what he may have done."
"...even more so now that you're no longer his fiancé." Conrad winced mentally when he realized what he'd said. 'Have I gone too far?' he thought.
Wolfram merely raised an eyebrow at his half-brother's long thought out reply, veiled as a reprimand. He was clearly uncomfortable; Wolfram could see and mentally smirked at his new-realized talent. He'd never ever been able to make Conrad fidget-quite like this. Not that his fidgeting was much receptive. The dammed brunette was doing quite a nice job of hiding his true feelings...as always. But he'd be the biggest fool of the century to under-estimate Wolfram. After all, he'd evolved from his previous persona quite a lot in the past few years (ever since Yuri came into his life. *Adoring mental smile*...Oh! how he hated that everything in his life eventually comes to a stop at that traitor fiancé...no, ex-fiancé of his...*sigh*), not to mention that all his rigorous training that he'd underwent in order to be able to protect his wimpy king had finally paid off, leading to his sharpened senses. He couldn't help but feel quite smug at his achievement. But pouring cold water at his smugness, he reminded himself - 'first things first'.
"Feeling quite brave, are you? Although things aren't looking too good for you from my perspective, should I be honest." Wolfram dished out sharply.
Conrad blanched at that. It almost sounded like the young man across from him knew exactly of his inner workings and secret desires. He knew he was acting like a small child being reprimanded by his father for doing something wrong but he couldn't help it. The conditions rendered him hapless and it seemed that the roles have indeed reversed between him and Wolfram. He had wondered many a time in the past if such a day would come but he'd never imagined himself being stuck in this sort of a situation and he'd be lying to say that he wasn't at least a little bit scared of the outcome. He'd just recently had Wolfram accepting him again and he didn't want to have it all undone just because he couldn't control his unjustified feelings for way-out-of-his-league and claimed people.
He wasn't a fool. He could see clearly that his younger brother see right through him at the moment. He wondered how he missed the knowledge of his younger brother growing so much. He used to be just an ignorant brat a feel days ago…or was it years?
Nevertheless, it didn't change the fact that he, Conrad, felt exposed and somewhat terrified. He knew that his brother knew. And so the best course of action would be to just come out with it and confront it for his, own, sake, if not for Yuri's. But then he was as adamant a man as they come. He would fight till the end to salvage his relationship with Wolfram, hoping against hope that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't actually thinking what Conrad thought him to be implying just then. Besides it's not as if he has anything to fight for against his brother just yet. It was true that he housed strong feelings for Yuri but it was one sided…Yuri didn't loved him back and he was sure that he could control his urges. Maybe holding his tongue would provide an easy solution to his predicament.
And so that's what he did, he kept silent and expressionless taking reprieve in his, as he correctly felt, undignified silence. However, his only reprieve was snatched away, rather harshly, just as Wolfram, tired of their game of silent stares, opened his mouth next. And Conrad was forced to confront what he had been evading for so long.
"You love him."
It wasn't a question. It was spoken as a fact instead.
Conrad's mind went blank, his pupils dilated and his stubborn mask crumpled just a little to give way to stupefaction. At a complete loss of words, Conrad could do nothing else than stare stupidly.
Wolfram was trying to look uninterested but they both knew it was far from that. Seeing Wolfram waiting for him, Conrad quickly calmed his nerves and said, "Wh-What? Wh-Who?..."
"Don't try to be too innocent to be believable." came the abrupt reply. "I know that you know what I'm talking about. You know you're even a bigger wimp than that original piece." he jerked towards Yuri's direction. "…you're even sweating and stuttering."
Conrad swallowed a lump in his throat and then spoke more calmly, "Wolfram, you're making no sense. I-I …"
"I'm making absolute sense. Now quit the drama." Then leaning forward slightly, Wolfram emphasized more than he told, as if trying to make his brother understand something inconspicuously, "You LOVE Yuri."
No one spoke anything for a long while.
xxxxx
Realization, then, kicked in. Wolfram knew, his brother knew, right from the start and never mentioned it. Of course, he'd acted jealous and all whenever Conrad was around Yuri, which was a lot, but never accused him of anything, never threatened him, never warned him to stay away from his fiancé, nothing of the sorts. This thought caused him to wonder if his younger brother was equally as unwilling as him to strain their newfound relationship.
Nevertheless, he knew he couldn't escape this time. Now that confronted so directly, he'd have to be honest with both of them for the honor of their relationship as brothers.
As if reading his thoughts, Wolfram continued, "You may stand up and leave immediately but it's not gonna solve anything. And I'd rather have some answers. I deserve them and you know it."
Wolfram was right, he knew. So, he finally decided that there was no point of hiding anymore. He was exposed and, as a soldier, he knew when to admit defeat.
Letting out a wistful sigh, he confirmed, "Yes, you're right. I do love him very much."
Conrad's body slumped as if a very heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders. He met his brother's eyes evenly, confidently – no more shame or guilt marring them. However, he was shocked into silence once again when he caught the expression on Wolfram's face.
Wolfram was smiling. He was smiling tenderly. His eyes full of a strong brotherly love instead of the strong hatred and despise that Conrad had expected.
"How hard was accepting it?" And with that all of Wolfram's carefully built show of anger went down the drain.
Conrad didn't know what to think of it. Was Wolfram approving of his feeling for his ex-fiancé? It definitely sounded like it. Hope bloomed in his chest that he dared not trample. If nothing else, he would have to hide his true feelings from one person less.
The expression on his face must have been priceless because the very next moment Wolfram was laughing heartily. His laugh resonated throughout the place like a melodious tune making everyone in the vicinity to turn around and stare at the beautiful blond with a newfound wonder.
Conrad couldn't suppress his heart-felt smile at the scene unfolding before him. It has been a very long time for Wolfram to be so at ease with him, even after Yuri's arrival in this world, that he'd almost forgot how his adorable younger brother's laugh sounded like.
Conrad didn't know how such a change was possible for Wolfram in a time like this but he thanked Shinou, nonetheless, for it. He wondered if it was because the burden of the unintended engagement was lifted off his shoulders. That reminded him…
"Wolfram…." Conrad started cautiously, not wanting to break the wonderful moment.
"Yes?"
"I-I don't know how to say it but I…" Conrad looked uncomfortable and so tried to delay the inevitable.
"Stop being such a wimp and out with it. Honestly, you shouldn't hang out so much with that wimpy king. It's rubbing off on you. And I'd rather not have my well capable and perfectly intelligent brother turn into a worthless, clueless, stuttering, good-for-nothing stupid wimp."
Conrad smiled at that. But then more seriously he said, "Wolfram. I wanted to say that…"
"Save your breath if you want to say sorry. Besides, your sorry isn't going to change anything."
"Wolfram, I really need to say this. Please, will you listen?"
Wolfram let out a sigh and faced him listening intently.
"Wolfram, I wanted to ask you to forgive Yuri. I don't know what caused him to call off the engagement like that but trust me I never let my emotions come in the way of my duties. I never said anything to him. Besides, I'm sure he doesn't return my feelings. I can't imagine what ticked him off to do this but trust me I'm sure he didn't knew what he was doing or its implications. Otherwise, he would've never done it. In this regard, I think Geika forced him into that ceremony."
"Are you trying to get into my good terms? Are you trying to save yourself?" Then, more darkly Wolfram continued, "Besides, Murata is, now, my husband. And I, absolutely, won't tolerate anybody trying to throw dirt at him. Not even you. Do you understand?" He finished forcefully with a huff.
Conrad was stunned. An unsure 'yes' was all he could mutter.
"And don't tell me who was at fault and who wasn't. I do have eyes with to see perfectly. And a sound mind that could add two and two." Wolfram looked at Conrad fiercely as he said this.
"But you don't understand." Wolfram raised an eyebrow at the irony of the statement.
"It is my fault entirely."
'There he goes again with all the self-loathing.' Wolfram thought.
"I don't know if Yuri truly loves someone else other than you or he confused his feelings for me. But I must confess now that it was my fault for confusing Yuri by kissing him and…"
Conrad stopped abruptly releasing his mistake. He let himself to be controlled by emotions. As a result his tongue loosened too much for his liking. So much for trying to salvage his relationship with Wolfram. Color drained from his face as he quickly raised his eyes to gauge his brother's reaction.
Wolfram was staring at him incredulously. A tiny flicker of hostility passed through his eyes.
Conrad was quick to start apologizing with unimaginable guilt but Wolfram was quicker as he raised a finger to effectively silence him.
"Why am I not surprised?" Wolfram spat. But then more serenely, he continued, "Look, don't try to explain anything. I am not interested in what you two did before. It's none of my business anymore."
Conrad was feeling rather unsettled by his brother's unnaturally calm behavior by now. He couldn't point out the reason for it at all.
"Besides." Wolfram continued. "Should I be honest with myself, I think I am more relieved than angry at having this farce ended. Although I would've been more pleased, had I not been trapped into an unbreakable marriage simultaneously. Well…at least Ken's not that unresponsive as that wimp and pays lavish attention to me." His eyes saddened.
"Wolfram." Conrad whispered wistfully. "You really did loved him, didn't you?"
"Of course I did…I do." Wolfram said, back to his agitated self. "What are you trying to imply by that?"
"Nothing at all. Please don't take me wrong."
Conrad's eyes drifted back to the restroom. Yuri was gone for a long while now and hadn't returned yet. Wolfram noticed this.
"So eager to get out of my company, are you?"
"No, I was just wondering what taking him so long."
"Forget him for once so that I could do what I came here to do."
Conrad snapped back to attention facing his brother, perplexed, his eyes questioning.
"You actually didn't think that I'd come here just to watch you gallivanting off with my ex-fiancé through various restaurants of the town, did you? I've got much more important work to do than that. I came here for some answers and I'm not leaving without them at any costs." Wolfram said with a very serious, no nonsense expression. His eyes were hard with determination.
"My first question was whether you loved Yuri or not and you admit that you do right?"
Conrad merely nodded.
"And by that you mean not in the platonic way but rather romantically?"
Conrad gulped. "Wolfram…"
"Just answer 'yes' or 'no'."
"Yes. I love him romantically. Very much. Ever since I first saw him in this world, I think. I was very attracted to him since our eyes first meet and I think after knowing him over the time he spent here, knowing his true nature and witnessing all his achievements, I stopped
seeing him as a junior but rather an handsome adult worthy of falling for and, indeed, fell for hard him. However, I realized it only when I had to leave him and all of you during my time in Big Cimaron."
'Well, that was very honest.' Wolfram thought.
A hint of sadness eclipsed Conrad's eyes. As well as Wolfram's at hearing this coming from his brother's mouth. He understood perfectly well what a difficult time that had been for all of them especially Conrad.
"I thought that would be the end of me, either at the hands of Belal or through the punishment for betraying and lifting my sword against the Maoh, and I won't be able to meddle between you two. But when Yuri saved me and everyone else forgave me, I tried my best to keep my feelings in check." Then looking straight into Wolfram's eyes, Conrad said, "I never intended to come between you two." Wolfram was taken aback with the heart-felt declaration.
"You idiot." Wolfram snapped in a dazed manner. "Of course, we would forgive you. We're family. How could you even think of such a stupid thing?"
"I'm sorry but I truly believed that I shouldn't be forgiven no matter what." Conrad said, smiling in that usual manner of his.
"You are such a pain to everyone, you know that? You always think yourself as worthless and something disposable. Did you ever even think about those who love you no matter what you are? Did you even so much as give a thought to mother's feelings before going off to sacrificing yourself?" Wolfram was almost teary eyed by now. "I agree that we all treated you wrong especially me but I am trying now so, so…" Wolfram couldn't continue his thought and looked away.
A hand came resting on Wolfram's making him to look at its owner as Conrad spoke, "I don't blame you for anything so please don't blame yourself either. Wolfram, it's all in the past and I know you never truly hated me. I said all that because I truly felt that way. But as I said it's all in the past and I am just happy that we are able to talk like this again. Thank You."
"Yes, I am glad too." A smile adorned Wolfram's face. "And I'm sorry for all the pain I might have caused you."
"It's all right. You didn't cause me any pain."
"You know I don't like this attitude of yours." Wolfram reverted back to his annoyed self, causing Conrad to wonder at the sudden change of the mood. "If I said I caused you pain, then I caused it. Don't argue. Do you understand?"
Conrad merely smiled.
Sigh.
"I really wish that you'd start wishing more for yourself."
Warmth enveloped Conrad and his eyes softened a few shades. "I will from now on. Thank you, Wolfram."
"Then you should know this, Conrad. We all want to see you happy as well. Sometimes you just need to snatch your own happiness in order to secure it instead of always keeping on waiting for it to notice you. At least that what I believe. I might not be right always but in your case I am sure this is the only way."
"Wolfram, what are you…?" Conrad felt confused.
"So, when are you going to let down your guard for once and let him know?"
Conrad understood all too well what he meant but he couldn't point out why.
"Why are you doing this, Wolfram?" Conrad said gravely.
"Why do you think?"
Silence.
"I really think you should tell him."
Coming out of his stupor, he replied, "I can't."
"Why not? He's not engaged to your brother or anyone else now anymore, then why?"
"You don't understand. That was not the only reason. Besides, I'm sure you love him so very much and wouldn't have dared to said this to me before, so why now? I thought you wanted things to remain that way. I thought you'd try to… And your anger proved it too."
"You actually think of me so bad." Wolfram was disgusted. "Then, I've nothing to say to you." He started standing up to leave but was halted midway.
"I-I am so sorry Wolfram. I didn't mean it that way. Please don't go. It's just that I would've done that had I been in your shoes…that's why…"
Wolfram glared him a long moment but then settled back down.
Taking a long breath, he said, "Yes, you're right. I wanted things to remain that way. I hated it when you two used to share things that were only yours, not meant for someone else. When you used to share such strong intimate moments in which no one else could pry even if he wanted to, least of all me. Yes, you right. I hated it the most when Yuri used to give his undivided attention to you instead of me, his own fiancé… always pushing me aside. I hated it. I was his fiancé, damn it, and yet I always had to compete with you in everything. I had to work extra hard just so he as much as take a glance at me. But instead, he searched for you the moment he opened his eyes every morning. I, even, sought to sleep in his bed every night just so it gives me a sense of security that only I was granted that privilege. But he either threw me out or took to the late night walks with you on your guard duty or playing that stupid game of ball with you. He always ignored me. I hated it. I could never understand it."
Silence.
"And when I tried to deny him all that, he fought with me every time. So, I stopped saying anything just to avoid him yelling at me. It was useless to say anything and it hurt. Yuri never accepted me as his fiancé. He always gave you everything that I've always wanted. Therefore, I hadn't wanted for him to be near you because being with you always gave him courage. I was scared that he'd break with me and take away the only thing that I had from him, which I thought was mine alone."
"Wolfram…"
"I guess it wasn't sufficient to stop that from happening."
Silence.
"Wolfram, I am sorry. I don't know what to say."
"Don't do that. I don't need pity from you."
Longer silence. Both drifted off to their own thoughts until Wolfram spoke out again.
"Yes. I had wanted the things to remain unchanged in my favor. But that was before. Situation is different now. The switch is irreversible now and Ken is my husband. Nothing can change that now. And I'm not willing to put both of lives in danger by performing the
Blood and Fire ceremony. And as hurtful as this switch might have been for me, it has forced me to come to terms with something that I've known all along. That Yuri will never love me. In the way in which I want him to, that is. If he really can't give me his affections then there's no point in trying to reclaim him, isn't it? I'd rather he be happy at least. As for me, I've already resigned to my fate. I always knew that I'd turn out to be something like this with Yuri. I guess I'm even relived."
Silence.
"You know there was a time when I, actually, started wondering if there was something wrong with me due to Yuri's lack of attention towards me, before I figured out the true reason for it." A subdued laugh sounded out of both the table's occupant's mouths before Conrad realized something in his brother's words.
"The true reason?" he asked.
Wolfram smirked. "That you'll have to find out on your own. It took me several years to figure that out. I am not going to dish out everything. Waste some of your precious time yourself."
Casting a quick glance towards the way Yuri had gone to, Conrad spoke in a quiet tone, "Maybe all this should have never happened. This isn't fair to you Wolfram."
Irritated beyond imagination, Wolfram practically screamed, "Are you really such a thick head? Here I am trying to make you see that reason through my most private thoughts and all that you've managed to grasp is that it isn't fair to me?"
Conrad looked stunned with the sudden outburst.
Grabbing a hand-full of Conrad's collars, Wolfram spat vehemently, "Listen. I am tired of trying to be a sacrificial gentleman. Your absolute idiocy is wasting all of our well-thought out efforts, including this dinner, if you went on ahead and destroyed it further…trust me, you'll be more sorry than you'd ever been in your entire life." Then at a second thought, he added further, "And I'll kill you if you ever hurt Yuri in any manner, brother or not."
This one outburst got Conrad's brain working. He understood it now all too well. Wolfram was asking him to reveal his feelings to Yuri. It was as good as giving his blessings to their relationship, should it prosper.
A bit astounded as well as perplexed, Conrad raised his head to look at Wolfram who was smirking contentedly. Words burst out of his mouth before Conrad could think them over even once.
"But Yuri doesn't love me."
Raising a disbelieving eyebrow in response, Wolfram asked, "How could you know that? Did he admit it to you?"
Conrad shook his head. "No. But I don't need words to know what's in his mind. I just know."
"Oh?"
Rolling his eyes, Wolfram interrogated further in a sweet, almost so sweet so as to be bordering at annoyance, tone, "So, what is it that makes you think that brother dear?"
Conrad looked a bit uncomfortable. He hadn't wanted to discuss this with his brother but his tongue had slipped. He knew Wolfram deserved nothing less than truth and not answering would have angered him. Well, there was no point in hiding anymore anyways, so he replied honestly.
"I-Well, Yuri has been avoiding me." He couldn't continue.
Wolfram waited but then broke the silence finally. "Why?"
Conrad cheeks flamed imperceptibly red but didn't escape Wolfram's keen gaze.
"I-I..." Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Conrad muttered, "You remember that day when Yuri lost his maryokou after defeating Janus?"
"Yes."
"He was unconscious and I went to check on him carrying a tray of food, in case he woke up and was hungry. There was no one in the room other than him. I stood nearby and soon he woke up."
"He looked dejected." Conrad added as if remembering that day. Wolfram kept quiet, letting him continue at his ease. "He was talking about something and…"
"And?" Wolfram pushed.
Conrad seemed to snap out of his daydreaming and immediately looked away, a clear blush evident on his cheeks.
Now able to take the suspense anymore, Wolfram finished the sentence for him. "And you kissed him?"
Conrad looked uncomfortable.
"No? Then, something else? Huh, don't tell me…you did something more? You took advantage of him?" Wolfram finished apprehensively, his eyes blazing with anger.
"What? N-No. Never. Wolfram-I…" Conrad looked appalled.
Wolfram burst out laughing at his older half-brother's expression. Too pleased with himself at his attempt of joke, he soothed the horrified man, "Don't worry. I'm just kidding. I know you all too well to assume that. If that had really been the case, then I wouldn't have to waste my time having this conversation with you like this."
This relaxed Conrad a bit.
"So, what happened?" Wolfram asked, mirth still evident in his voice.
Gathering his lost courage, he silently whispered, "You got it right the first time."
"Oh! So, what did he do?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing."
"What do you mean nothing? He must have had some reaction. Did he ran away?"
"No. Well, he was shocked at first but then…" Wolfram waited. "…then, he gave in. And then the tray started slipping and he suddenly broke off to catch it. That's when I snapped back to senses and apologized before leaving immediately. I was so ashamed of myself."
"Why doesn't that surprise me? In other words, he gave you permission to kiss him and was enjoying it too when, all of the sudden, you decided to run away and abandon him. Just so like you."
"Does that mean you don't love him?" Wolfram questioned.
"No. I mean yes. I do love him but he doesn't and I took advantage of his condition. So, I…"
"What condition? He's only had maryokou exhaustion, not some serious mental disorder that he couldn't understand what was going on and refuse to participate in it if it was against his wishes."
"No, you got it all wrong. He never gave me the permission to do so. I took advantage of his weakness." Conrad finished guilty.
"How's that so? Did you force him to kiss you when he was trying to run away?"
"No. But that's not the point. I…"
"So, you think he's been kissing you for the hell of it?"
"What? No, he was just looking for a way to seek comfort, especially after Geika tricked him into that ceremony."
"Oh! That's one hell of a new way to seek comfort. How come I never heard of it in my entire life? Had I known about it before, I would've asked you to comfort me over my broken engagement. And don't talk about my husband in that manner. He didn't trick that wimp into anything. He's not a little child anymore that just anyone can make him do things that he doesn't want to do."
"What?" Conrad couldn't believe his ears.
Sighing, Wolfram explained further.
"For being my brother, you are not too smart, are you? Do you really think Yuri is stupid enough to want to go through such a dangerous ceremony if he wasn't really serious about it? He's the Maoh, not some pea-brained infant." Then, on second thoughts, "Although, I cannot be sure of the pea-brained fact. But that's beside the point."
This got Conrad thinking.
"But Wolfram, Yuri, actually, told me that Geika never told him of any of the dangers before the ceremony. He only told him of the things that could have gone wrong, like your marriage to Geika, after it was all done and over with."
Wolfram didn't like the sound of that at all but still he said, "I'll talk to Ken about that. But I still don't believe for an instant that he didn't want to do what he did. Dangers of the ceremony meant one thing. He may not have known about the dangers of that ceremony but he, most definitely, knew what doing that ceremony would mean, or do you deny that?"
Conrad couldn't answer. Yuri himself had admitted that. Hope swelled in his heart that maybe Yuri, indeed, loved him that way. But then, Yuri's continued avoidance of him came flashing through his mind and he saddened some.
"Even so Wolfram. Even if he truly wanted to break-off your engagement, it still didn't mean that he did that for me. It's not a secret that he'd wanted to get out of the engagement for quite some time. Maybe, he just got fed up of it all and decided to end it once and for all."
"Then, tell me this, why now? Why not before? Something must have triggered him, don't you think?"
"Yes, but…"
"Enough buts. Don't bore me anymore with your senseless logic. Look I don't know what his reasons were in calling off the engagement like this, neither do you. But know this, you won't ever find out if you don't take a step from your side and try to find out."
Conrad stared at him while Wolfram glared him challengingly to counter him this time. Finally, Conrad broke the silence and asked, "Why?"
They both knew what he was asking and Wolfram decided that this time he better be honest, so he replied seriously.
"Yuri is single once again. He's the king of this entire land and master of limitless power and wealth. And this is a court Conrad and you know what it'll be like once the news of him being single spread far enough. There is not much time in that from happening. I'd rather he is with someone who loves him for him and not for everything else he signifies. How many people, do you think, are out there who won't try to take advantage of him? Who cares about him like we do? I'm sure Uncle and the others would rather wish that he be with a Nobel. But how many nobles do you think are going to want to marry him for him and how many just for his title and end up hurting him in the end, have him trapped most likely forever?"
Conrad didn't have an answer as he knew the answer to the first question was most likely none and the second probably all of them.
"That's why I want him with you. I know he won't find a love as pure and unselfish as yours. That is second to me, of course." He tried to lighten up the mood but he could clearly see that Conrad was pondering deeply at the newly revealed information.
"So tell me, are you really going to stand by and watch someone come in a try to force Yuri to marry them and live with the knowledge that he's miserable in a loveless marriage and run away with your tail between your legs, or are you going to stand up and fight for him! You'll have to decide because I can't anymore. I fought for him for as long as I could but he took that right away from me. Now I have to step back but I want to ensure that the love of my life stays safe and happy even then."
Sitting up straight and full of determination, Wolfram finally asked what he came for in the first place.
"So, do you take over this job from me with pleasure and give me your promise that you'd always do just as I wished for Yuri's happiness, irrespective the eventual choice of his life partner as well as of the conditions the future might hold?"
Conrad blinked, stunned, not expecting this from his normally hot headed little brother. Whatever he had expected from this conversation with his little brother at the beginning, Wolfram asking him to court Yuri was, most definitely, not it.
"But what if Yuri didn't…"
"I want you to try your best. Sitting here like a mannequin isn't going to solve anything and it'll be dangerous for him."
Conrad understood what his younger brother wanted from him. He'd already made most of those promises to himself so there was no difficultly in reaffirming them. However, telling Yuri of his feelings would be difficult. But then, when said by Wolfram in the manner he had, he wasn't sure if he wanted to compromise Yuri's happiness in that manner. Not to mention the unbearable spark of agony the mere thought of Yuri being with someone else, being used for his powers, kindled in his heart was unbearable. No, he wouldn't let that to pass. He'll try, he resolved. He'll fight for Yuri's happiness and if in the process, he got something in return then who's he to refuse.
Slowly but determinedly, he nodded his acceptance. "Yes. I accept and I promise you that I'll always keep Yuri happy or die trying."
A satisfied smile passed Wolfram's lips. Suddenly, Conrad asked back, "Wolfram! Do you think Yuri loves me too?"
Smirking impishly, Wolfram replied, "How would I know?"
He saw Conrad's mood fall, so added quickly. "But I do know this… you haven't given him much advantage with that list of rules and that poker face of yours and running away at the most inappropriate times. I'm sure even if he has something for you in his heart, he must be thinking that you don't like him that way. I would be very depressed if that was the case and I was in his shoes."
Realization hit Conrad hard. Suddenly, the entire game of avoidance from Yuri became all too clear to him. Images of that night flashed through his mind when he'd brought Yuri back from the temple after the engagement breaking ceremony. Yuri had him kiss but him thinking that he wanted comfort had indulged in his request but not participated out of his own guilt. He remembered the emotions that had flashed through Yuri's eyes – longing, confusion, hurt and eventually discomfort. The avoiding spell had started after that.
Realization hit him hard. He couldn't breathe. He had miscalculated the whole thing. It was he who hadn't understood. Yuri wanted him. He smiled with the new insight and looked toward the way Yuri had gone. After all, he had his feelings to confess and to hear from Yuri's mouth what he'd wanted to hear for so long.
Wolfram was looking at his older brother's dazed gaze, deep in thought. He was astounded, not by the question Conrad had suddenly asked him, but by the raw longing that reflected in it. He had lied in his reply. Of course he knew that Yuri loved him. Not only loved him but wanted him. Sleeping in the same bed as Yuri had its own advantages. Like listening to his kings rumblings in his sleep. That's what had assured Wolfram of Yuri's feelings towards Conrad at first. He'd woken up many a times in the middle of the night to see Yuri fidgeting and calling Conrad's name in his sleep under various scenarios going on in his mind, not all of them innocent, of course.
Yes, he had even heard Yuri moaning Conrad's name and speaking various other intimate things as well. That had fumed Wolfram at first but what could he do regarding that. He knew Yuri didn't love him in that way and tying him to himself was pushing him away day by day. But that didn't saved him the hurt he'd felt when he found out that Yuri loved his brother over him in that manner. But what could he do? So, slowly, Wolfram had accepted his fate and started sleeping less and less with him, if only to protect himself from the night's torments.
Of course, he wasn't going to tell Conrad any of that. Let him work for himself.
Suddenly, he noticed Conrad looking again towards the restroom with a determined look. Wolfram smelled success. He immediately interjected before Conrad did something foolish such as barging in onto Yozak and Yuri and disrupt their conversation. That reminded him what was taking them so long. After all, it's he who had the difficult of the two cases.
"You might have to wait a little longer for him. It might do you some good to leave him be for a while." He said suggestively.
Conrad, picking up something in Wolfram's voice and noticing Yozak's conspicuous absence, nodded and settled back peacefully, going over his thoughts once again.
Wolfram hadn't given his explicit blessings to this relationship, nor had he forgiven Yuri completely yet. But he guessed that it was necessary and all for the best in the end. He looked at his older brother once again and was quite happy to see the lost confidence return in his honey-colored eyes. He was feeling extremely good at having been of service for Conrad in all these years, at least once and return some of the kindness his older brother had always bestowed upon him ever since their childhood. He had secretly missed those days of familiarity and closeness between him and Conrad. It looks like those days might be slowly but surely returning now after all these long years. He smiled in remembrance.
Pleased with himself, Wolfram took a long swig of the untouched wine, kept at their table and rotting away since only-Shinou-knows-when, contentedly, before leaving the thinker on his own to think quietly.
It had gone well, no, it had gone beyond well. Smiling contentedly, he made his way back to the table he and Yozak were sitting at before, to watch the entire happy ending unfold as well as give the two love-birds some privacy.
Quickly getting tired of waiting, he wondered what was taking Yozak and Yuri so long.
xxxxx
Meanwhile in the secluded restroom, ...
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Is_sm A/N: Hi guys! We're back. I hope you'll like the new chapter. Please review that is the only things that keeps us going. Since, I hadn't had a chance to wished you all before - Happy New Year 2011 to you all. May this year brings lots of joy in your life. Till next time. See ya!
Mew Rima's Dragon: Hey guys I made a new poll for you if anyone's interested in trying it. Check out my profile to see the question.