Two weeks. Two weeks had gone by since Wolfram had arrived in the little hamlet and set himself up as Ahren the innkeeper's apprentice. It was hard adjusting to life as a commoner after his privileged existence, but he forced himself to adapt. His pride refused to allow him to give up or admit defeat, and thank you, he was going to continue ignoring the little voice that kept telling him that's exactly what he had done when it came to Yuuri.

At the end of the first seven days, news had reached the village that the young noble Wolfram von Bielefeld, the Maou's former fiancé, had disappeared, and that the king was frantically searching for him. A soldier had come to the inn, asking Berrin if he'd seen a pretty young man with blonde hair and green eyes lately. The innkeeper, after a quick glance towards his apprentice, who was standing back in a shadow and looking pained, had said no, he hadn't, but he would be sure to keep an eye out for him. The soldier had thanked him and moved on. Later he had cornered "Ahren" and gently but firmly coaxed the truth from him. By the end of it, Wolfram was shaking and tearful, and Berrin had comforted him as a father would have. Despite his inner humiliation at being so weak in front of the man, Wolfram was touched and warmed by Berrin's concern. The innkeeper had also promised he wouldn't tell anyone else about Wolfram's true identity. Though normally inherently suspicious of most, Wolfram had found himself trusting him.

Berrin's son Tabbert, however, was another story. It had become clear within a couple of days that he was attracted to Wolfram, and he didn't seem to notice that the blonde had absolutely no return interest. However, as of yet he hadn't done anything more than a few hinting smiles and attempted caresses that Wolfram easily put off.

Wolfram sighed, letting his head drop wearily onto the pillow. This was hard. The work he did here at the inn was so much different than any he had done back at Blood Pledge Castle. But, strangely, he was enjoying it, and his exhaustion was a pleasant one. The blonde snuggled down under his blankets, thick lashes lowered over sleepy green eyes. The only way this could be better, he decided, would be if Yuuri was snuggled up against his back. In his half-asleep state, the thought of the dark-eyed boy wasn't even painful. He dozed.

Later -- it could have been minutes, it could have been hours -- his ingrained soldier's awareness told him something was wrong. He snapped almost immediately to wakefulness, eyes fluttering open. The first thing he saw was Tabbert crouched beside his pallet, something held carefully in his cupped palm and a sly sort of gleam in his brown eyes.

"Is this why you left home?" he asked quietly, holding up the object he held. Wolfram drew in a sharp breath and sat up as he recognized the delicate silver pendant. He had brought it with him on impulse, wanting to cling to that final link to Yuuri. Would Tabbert read the inscription on the back and finally put two and two together? Would he be betrayed and be forced to return to the castle, or perhaps turned over to his uncle? But that was giving the boy too much credit.

"You've got guts," Tabbert was continuing. "Sneaking into the castle and stealing a necklace meant for the king? How'd you manage that?"

Wolfram was silent, stiff with foreboding, his eyes locked on the pendant.

Tabbert slowly turned the piece over in his fingers. "I bet I'd get a big reward for turning in such a bold thief. Enough that maybe Father and I would never have to work again… I think I'll do it…" Wolfram didn't like the devious tone in his companion's voice, and he liked it even less when Tabbert looked up into his eyes again, eyes narrowed speculatively. "Unless, of course, you give me a reason not to…"

The blonde gaped. Was he actually being blackmailed? Then he gritted his teeth, glaring. "You know I don't have any money to offer you," he retorted, hoping he'd be able to get the pendant back without too much trouble.

Again the innkeeper's son studied the jewelry. "Whoever said I wanted money?" he purred, and Wolfram paled.

"Y-you're joking…"

Tabbert leaned closer as Wolfram's eyes widened. "I'm very serious, Ahren. Sleep with me, or I'll turn you over to the border guard."

The blonde noble was torn. If he was turned over to the guards, his true identity would be revealed and he would be forced to go back… to go back to a cold castle and an empty bed and be forced to watch the one he cherished love someone who was not him. But if he obeyed Tabbert, he would be betraying his love for Yuuri. Again his eyes fell to the garnet-set silver. But what did that love matter anymore? It wasn't like Yuuri would ever love him in return… Wolfram closed his eyes and whispered two words.

"Do it…"