Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to Tomo Takabayashi, Geneon, and lots of other people who aren't me.
For Better or Worse
We were all suspicious of His Majesty Sigismund's sudden desire for peace before we ever agreed to negotiations, but this was absolutely appalling. The alliance is so delicate at the moment, and Yuri is so determined to avoid conflict that he's willing to meet almost every term that the Prime Minister Abendroth set forth in the writing.
Damn Weller! He probably knew this is what the man was up to. That's why he tricked me into promising not to lose my temper.
"Lord Wolfram, this is going to be a very delicate situation. I know you are protective of His Majesty but if you can't hold you're temper then perhaps it's better if you don't come."
Not go and protect my betrothed? As if.
"It's important that we show a united front for these people, do you understand this Wolfram?"
I understand; I'm not a child. Idiot halfbreed. How dare he speak to me like that? I'll show him.
"Very well then. Gwendal and I have discussed this matter. If you agree that once we arrive you won't provoke His Majesty, or any of the Blauvelt Kingdom's inhabitants with your insults and name calling, or threaten anyone with physical violence then you'll be permitted to come. Your word of honor on it, Wolfram."
I'm not so stupid as to let Yuri wander off into a foreign territory on his own. For all I know he'll accidentally get himself engaged to someone else. The fool doesn't have any practical knowledge of this world's customs. It's a simple enough promise to keep.
Just so long as nobody lays a finger on my fiancé.
So now here we are, all gathered in the Byington dining hall. Sweeping arches that cross the ceiling, all made of glittering glass and white marble. Captured inside the glass fronts of the arches is the water that pours into the low fountain that rings the whole room, a peaceful counterpoint to the noise of all the people chattering. There are glowing plants hanging in the center of each window, casting a soft light into the room to hold the darkness outside at bay.
I would never have dreamed any human society capable of such a magnificent edifice. The castle really is incredible. I think I might actually be enjoying my stay if it weren't for the horde of giggling girls that had descended on my Yuri! Argh! Did that female just grab his ass!
Conrad corners me, and warns me not to lose my temper.
'I don't know what you're talking about. What this? Of course I wasn't planning on burning anyone to charred crisp. You must be imaging things. I didn't call my flame, stupid human.'
Line after line of women, and even a couple of men rush over and fling themselves on Yuri. My most dangerous glare is not enough to keep them at bay. They must have found out that I've promised to be on my best behavior while we're here.
'No I don't bloody want to dance with you, I'm keeping an eye on those overly ambitious women. Now bugger off!' I don't have time to dance with anyone else, and I don't want to anyway. Damn it Yuri! You can say 'no'. You don't have any problems trying to turn me away, why are you being so delicate with them?
Finally! The dancing is over, and those arrogant offspring of our host won't have any excuse to paw my man. Hopefully we can escape to our room soon. We are currently sitting down at the long table again, and I'm having to listen to the man prattle on about his wonderful 'lovelies'. And of course there's Yuri, sitting over there with a stupid little grin on his face, completely oblivious to the insult the man is offering. Yuri, why are you agreeing with everything he's saying? Why aren't you defending me, pointing out that you're spoken for!
Even I would never have dreamed that Sigismund would be so disgraceful as to use Yuri's obvious desire for peace to arrange a marriage. The man knows that Yuri's already engaged. To me! And he's doing this all while I'm sitting right there? This is why I despise this land! There's a reason we don't negotiate with Blauvelts. The people here are utterly lacking in anything resembling pride or good breeding.
Although, to be fair (not that I have to or anything), Yuri probably is oblivious to what the man is trying to do. And I can't go beat any sense into him or scream at him, or (sadly) kill anyone to make a point.
"But surely there is one who you felt some feeling for? Did not one of them stir any need in your body?" the man has the nerve to utter. I stare at Lord Bastion, torn between shocked and insulted.
I think Gwendal is speaking to me, but I can't make out his words past the blood rushing in my ears. The world becomes tinged a warm golden orange, wavering at the edges like a dancing flame.
Someone. Is. Going. To. Die.
Yuri chuckles nervously and leans back in his chair. Of course he leans too far back and his chair tips over, sending him sprawling into the fountains lining the walls of the entire dining room. We watch his flailing arms sink into a whirlpool. My rage is washed away in a tide of disbelief.
'You wimp! You heartless cheating WIMP! How dare you run back to your own world at a time like this!'