Wolfram watched the black haired man work in what had been Wolfram's personal study. It had been days since he'd seen him properly, more than just in passing. The Daikenja had kept Wolfram busy with an attempted catch up of all the things he had missed. So, so many things. He'd been taking meals privately with his father, which felt like further catching up but on a more personal level.
Wolfram quietly despised all of it.
Clearly his father had missed him and he felt no ill will in spending time with him, but the fact that it felt like Wolfram had simply taken a nap and been rocketed into the future was grating. He hated every single change he came across, and everything was different. The only thing that seemed to have remained untouched was his private rooms, but even there everything was covered in a layer of dust. Wolfram wished to wake from this nightmare.
"Are you training to become the next Daikenja?" Wolfram finally asked, interrupting the man's scribbling.
Yuuri blinked and looked up, a small smile spreading across his face. It seemed to appear whenever Wolfram was before him and the blonde couldn't understand it. "Wolfram!" he greeted, setting his quill in it's inkpot and giving him his full attention. Well, he had to have at least a single redeeming quality, Wolfram supposed. "Er, no. I've been in training to take over for your father."
Anger flared in Wolfram, hot and bright as he stalked into the room. This had been the first day the Daikenja had been too busy to tutor him and Wolfram had been left to his own devices. As he had traversed the castle, unfamiliar staff informed him that every single one of the duties that had been his either no longer existed or had been given away to this black haired child! "You dare to take my birthright from me as well?!" Wolfram shouted. "Bold enough of you to claim my study, but my place as my father's heir?!"
"This was your study?" Yuuri asked, face full of surprise. When Wolfram only growled, his black eyes softened despite the ferocity of Wolfram's glower. "Lord Shinou had lost hope of you ever waking, Wolfram." Yuuri said, voice gentle. It made Wolfram want to lash out even more. "He waited 800 years and tried every possible option. I assure you, I am not his first choice."
Wolfram slammed his palms against the desk. "Well I have awoken, so there's no longer any need for you! Leave!"
Yuuri grinned and Wolfram was extremely close to scorching the interloper's face off. "Daikenja says you've only covered the first 200 years or so of your missing history. And you'll need to memorize both of those," he said, waving a hand toward two large tomes sitting on a side table.
"I think I've finally got most of the tomes memorized!"
the cheerful voice said. "I'm not great with books,
not like everyone says you were."
Wolfram shook his head, the strange memory gone before he could even grasp it.
Yuuri continued, undaunted "Two books of modern rules of law and ordinances before you can do any of this." he gestured to the stack of paperwork he had been working his way through before Wolfram had entered. "Otherwise, I'd gladly hand it over to you. This is literally the worst part."
Wolfram fumed since he couldn't flaw this logic. But, oh, how he hated it.
Black eyes somehow managed to become even warmer. Why did his strongest glares do nothing to this pathetic excuse for a Prince?! "I know this can't be easy, Wolfram." Yuuri said, voice soft and gentle again. "I can't pretend to know what you're going through, but I promise to help you through it in any way I can."
"What help could you possibly be to me?" Wolfram sneered, hands balling into fists on the desk.
Yuuri titled his head like a curious puppy. "Well, at the moment I can let you start going through the law tomes. They need to stay here, though, I still have to reference them on occasion. And I'd be happy to spar with you later, if you like."
"You're really good at fire magic, right?
Once you wake up, we should practice together!"
Green eyes narrowed further, trying to ignore the strange prickle in the back of his mind. 'Spar' wasn't exactly what Wolfram would prefer to do to the outsider, but roasting him to ash where he sat would likely trouble his father as well as harm the furniture. "'Let me.'" Wolfram hissed mockingly before stomping over to the side table and grabbing one of the tomes and throwing himself into the comfortable looking armchair in the corner. This was his study, after all. If the interloper didn't like it, he could leave.
Yuuri just gave him a smile, picking up the quill again. Wolfram hid his face in the gods be damned book.
Wolfram had always been a good student. Reading was his preferred way to study and he honestly wished the Daikenja would just hand him a pile of books to read rather than giving lectures.
Surprisingly, Yuuri's presence wasn't disruptive to him, even with the scratching of his quill, shuffling of papers, and occasional incomprehensible mumble. Perhaps sleeping for 800 years in silence had made the ambient noise of another person more tolerable.
"How come you won't wake up?" The voice was quiet
this time, sad. "Your dad really misses you.
And I want to meet you properly.
You aren't really going to sleep forever, are you?"
A vast majority of the tome was similar to what Wolfram remembered learning, with some wording changes here and there. Anytime he came across something new or significantly changed, the blonde read it carefully several times to commit it to memory.
"Yuuri…" Wolfram said, squinting at a new marital law. '...on the left cheek with a minimum of one reliable witness present constitutes a legally binding betrothal…'
"Did you know slapping someone
can be a marriage proposal? How weird is that?!"
"Hm?" The sound of his quill stopped and Wolfram didn't bother looking up, confident he had the man's attention.
"When I awoke, which-"
"Your Highness!" A voice chirped from the door as the maid gave a belated knock. When Wolfram's narrowed green eyes turned to her as well as Yuuri's black ones, she shrunk back a bit. "S-sorry to interrupt!"
"It's alright, Sangria!" Yuuri said, smile open and friendly. "Has the meeting started?"
"Yes, Your Highness." The girl nodded. "His Majesty has requested your presence."
"Of course." Yuuri quickly tidied up what he'd been working on and stood. He paused on his way to the door and looked to Wolfram. "Are you not coming?"
Wolfram curled into himself a bit, feeling sulky. "Father only summoned you." Yet more things the double black had stolen for him.
Yuuri had the audacity to roll those big black eyes of his. "He's distracted." He said with confidence, stepping up to the chair and offering Wolfram his hand. "Come on, Wolf."
"Hey, Hey, can I call you Wolf? I've visited you
so many times, I feel like we're friends!"
Wolfram slapped the offered hand away, jumping to his feet and tossing the tome into the chair. "What gives you the right to be so informal with me?!" The strange prickling was starting to give him a headache, only further agitating him.
Yuuri raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you always this raring for a fight or do you have built up morning grumpiness?" He asked, nodding at the door and taking a step towards it. "Come on, they're waiting. We can spar later."
Wolfram growled, the man's casualness further infuriating him. Yet he still followed him out of the room and down the hall.
"The meeting's about the ambassadors from Cavalcade that are due to arrive tomorrow." Yuuri briefed without needing to be asked. "We've been on good terms with them for many years now. The meeting is largely to renew trade deals and to keep up the positive relationship, so there shouldn't be any issues."
"But security will still be increased," Wolfram said with a nod. "And the castle prepared for guests."
Yuuri nodded with a grin. "Exactly! I knew you wouldn't have any trouble stepping back into this." Wolfram didn't know how to take such a statement so he only glared. "There will likely be discussion on how to address your awakening. His Majesty hasn't made an official statement about it yet." Here Yuuri frowned. "I don't understand why. The castle gossip is going to leak out, especially with foreign ambassadors coming. He should have announced it right away."
Wolfram looked away. "Perhaps he regrets that I have."
Yuuri stopped and grabbed Wolfram's arm. "Don't talk like that!" Yuuri scolded, sounding angry for the first time since Wolfram had met him. "He tried everything to wake you! You didn't see how he looked at you while you slept." Yuuri shook his head and something twisted in Wolfram's gut.
"How often did you see such an expression?" Wolfram demanded, turning to face him properly.
Yuuri shrugged "Only a couple of times, when he caught me visiting."
"Visiting?" Wolfram growled, advancing on him, rage growing when Yuuri didn't back away. "What else have you done to me, you pervert!"
Yuuri's jaw dropped in insult. "Nothing! How could you even think-"
"You kissed me without my consent!" Wolfram shouted, fire licking the outside of his fists.
Black eyes narrowed. "Only because His Majesty requested I try!" He snapped. "He's the only one who could open the case, anyway! You think he'd leave you that vulnerable? That thing had so much protection magic woven into it not even your mother could open it on her own."
That made Wolfram take a step back. "What do you know of my Mother?"
"I think your Mother really likes me!
I know she's a Fae Queen, and we're
supposed to be careful around any Fae,
especially powerful ones, but she seems so nice!
And my mom says…"
Yuuri sighed heavily. "This would be much easier if my words had actually reached you." He mumblled, looking sad for a moment before shaking his head. "We don't have time for this conversation right now." He said, stepping around Wolfram to continue down the hallway. It was only then Wolfram realized his replacement still had a grip on his arm and wrenched himself free. Yuuri sighed again. "Hurry up, we're late."
"Yuuri!" Wolfram growled, stomping after him.
"We can talk about it later, I promise."
"What is it with you and promises?" Wolfram sneered. "You fling them around so easily?"
"That doesn't mean I don't keep them." Yuuri replied with ease as they arrived outside his Father's study. The Daikenja was already looking up at them with a small smile but his Father was bent over papers on the table. Yuuri placed a fist over his heart and gave a small bow. "Your Majesty. Sorry we're late."
"Shibuya," Father said, waving the interloper over distractedly, eyes not leaving what he was studying. At least some things never changed, though he should be calling his name.
Yuuri started forward, reaching back and grabbing Wolfram's arm again when he didn't start to enter with him. Wolfram tried to yank away again but this time Yuuri held firm, grip surprisingly strong, and Wolfram wasn't willing to start a squabble in his Father's meeting room. Yuuri let go once they reached the table, yet Father still didn't notice his presence.
"The retinue from Cavalcade will be staying in the East Wing. I want the interior guard presence increased there," the King instructed, pointing to places on a map of the castle. "And a fuller rotation of exterior guards. Also-" his father finally glanced up at Yuuri and froze, seeing him there as well. "Wolfram!" He said blue eyes wide. "What are you doing here? You're still recovering."
"Recovering from what?" Wolfram asked with a frown. "I wasn't ill!"
Shinou frowned "You still are not ready to resume your duties!"
"And what duties do I even have left, Father?!" Wolfram snapped.
Shinou stiffened, blue eyes sliding to Yuuri who just raised an eyebrow at him.
"If you try to keep him from things like this, he's just going to fall further behind. I can brief him on the important stuff ahead of time. It's fine." He said with a shrug.
Father's eyes narrowed and he expected him to scold Yuuri, but instead he turned back to the table. "Fine. You may accompany Shibuya for now."
Wolfram's fists trembled at his sides. 'Accompany' like he was some child in need of hand holding?!
"Your Majesty," the Daikenja spoke up quietly. "We should also discuss how to handle the Prince's presence tomorrow."
Shinou's face darkened as he glared at the map of the castle. "It's too soon to reveal him."
"Why?" Yuuri said, frown taking over his whole face. "This is something we should be celebrating!"
"It's too soon I say!" Shinou said, bring his glare to bear on Yuuri. The double black didn't even flinch, just continued to frown at the King.
"What am I to do tomorrow, then?" Wolfram asked angrily. "And for the rest of the time Cavalcade is here? Be locked away in my room?"
His Father gave him a sideways look, likely sensing Wolfram's rising anger. "That would be best."
Green eyes narrowed to angry slits. "Perhaps I should go back to my slumber and save everyone the trouble of my waking!"
"Wolfram, no!" His father left his side of the table, hands coming up to cup Wolfram's face, blue eyes looking pained. "We still don't know who or what bestowed the curse on you. It isn't safe…"
"You're no closer to finding the answers to that now then you were 800 years ago, Your Majesty." Yuuri said, a hard note in his voice. "You can't expect him to hide away based on that. Besides, rumors are sure to already be spreading."
"Shibuya is right," Daikenja adds. His father's eyes do not leave Wolfram's face. "The knowledge that he's awake again isn't going to stay within these walls. It would be better to announce the news ourselves and take precautions for any potential backlash rather than attempting to hide it."
Shinou closed his eyes and it was only then that Wolfram realized his father was afraid. His strong, powerful, seemingly infallible father was afraid. "Father," he breathed, reaching up to gently grab the man's wrists. "Haven't I been forced to miss enough?"
Shinou's face seemed to crumble and he leaned forward to press his forehead against Wolfram's. He wasn't used to seeing his Father like this and didn't know how to react. The whole display felt like a show of weakness that was so unlike his Father.
"After Cavalcade." Shinou finally said, voice barely audible. "When we have time to plan something appropriate." he leaned back and opened his eyes again, visage returning to the one of determined strength Wolfram was used to. "And you are to stick close to Shibuya."
Wolfram scowled, dislike of the interloper rising hot and fast in his veins again. "Why him?!"
Blue eyes narrowed as his Father stepped back, releasing his hold on his face. "Do not fight me on this, Wolfram. It is non-negotiable."
Wolfram's fists clenched and he held back a growl. He didn't see why it was such a disagreeable question! Surely there were actual guards who could be assigned to him. Why must he stay close to the one who has replaced him?!
But Father had moved back to his spot at the table, murmuring more instructions to Yuuri while pointing at the map in front of them. Wolfram didn't bother listening in. Clearly it wasn't meant for his ears.
"Wolfram," Yuuri's voice was so sickeningly gentle and it made Wolfram want to set something on fire. He refused to look at him, glaring down and off to the side. Fingertips touched his arm and he jerked away. "Are you alright?"
What sort of question was that?! Of course he wasn't alright! Nothing had been alright since he'd woken up!
"Wolfram-" His father started but Wolfram cut him off.
"I'm fine!"
"I can escort you back to your room if you'd rather." Yuuri said, still infuriatingly gentle.
"I don't need to be guided to my own room!" he snapped, finally turning his glare onto Yuuri.
The man just gave him a smile and raised an eyebrow at him. "So… does that mean you don't want to organize the guard with me?"
"You are the most obnoxiously infuriating person I have ever met!" Wolfram snapped before storming from the room and resolutely turning away from the direction that would take him to his room. Unless this had also changed, the direction should take him to the barracks.
Yuuri caught up with him a moment later, still with a smile on his face.
"Are you some kind of village idiot?" Wolfram growled. "What is with your constant smiling?!"
"I didn't think it was possible for someone to look so beautiful, even while angry." Yuuri said instead, making Wolfram stop in his tracks and gape in indignation.
"You perverted little-"
"How is it perverted to compliment you?" Yuuri asked with a small laugh.
"I have no use for the likes of you to appreciate anything about me!"
"Hm," Yuuri said, actually looking thoughtful. "I don't think that kind of thing is up to you."
Wolfram shoved him hard and Yuuri went, letting himself be pushed up against the wall. "What do you know about my Mother?" He hissed.
Yuuri just raised his eyebrows. "You really want to have that conversation here?"
"You 'promised' didn't you?" Wolfram sneered.
Yuuri sighed. "She's told me a decent bit about herself, actually. She tends to visit me whenever she comes to see you. She's the one who first showed me where you were hidden when I was young."
"Why would she do that?!"
Yuuri shrugged. "She said she didn't want you to be lonely. She also named me. Well, Conrart picked it but she bestowed it on me. So, she's kinda my Fae godmother." He said, rubbing at the back of his head.
Wolfram gaped at him. "Mother named you?" Names had power for the Fae. Mother hadn't even chosen his own name, Father had. What did it even mean that she had named Yuuri?!
"Well, yeah. My mom, your mom and Conrart all confirmed the story, and even Daikenja says I'm Fae Touched." Yuuri said with a shrug, like it was no big deal.
Fae Touched like Wolfram's Father.
"But, you're at least half Fae, right?" Yuuri pushed on, black eyes glittering with childish excitement. "Gwendal says it doesn't really matter, but his dad wasn't Fae Touched, so that's gotta make a difference. Half Fae, half Fae Touched Mazoku!"
"I-" Wolfram took a step back, overwhelmed by the boy's sudden enthusiasm. "What are you blathering about?!"
"You're way cooler than me." Yuuri admitted it easily, even sounded excited about it!
"What is wrong with you?" Wolfram asked, baffled. He still hadn't given up on the village idiot theory.
Yuuri shrugged as he started down the hall. "Have you had a chance to meet your brothers yet?"
"My what?"
Yuuri stopped, turning back to him with wide eyes. "He can't have been that distracted! Tell me His Majesty told you!"
"Oh," Wolfram's conversations with his father had all ended up emotionally charged and overwhelming. He had difficulty remembering half the things that were actually said. It didn't help that his Father seemed to spend half the time just marveling that he was awake. Now that Yuuri had brought it up, he vaguely remembered that being one of the things his Father had told him, but his brain had already felt too saturated with new information to really take it in. "I… Don't think I realized they were here. I thought they were with Mother."
Yuuri shook his head. "They're both mortal, so she left them here. I don't think either of their dads are alive, so she entrusted them to yours." he said with a shrug. "That was technically all before I was born, so… But Conrad is in charge of the castle guard and Gwendal is basically your Father's General. Come on, if we're lucky we'll even catch them together!"
Wolfram wasn't sure how that would make them lucky, but he trailed after Yuuri anyway, his sudden nerves being enough to override his constant anger at the man in front of him. He was humming. Some happy little tune Wolfram didn't recognize. Where did this cheerfulness come from? Didn't he realize he was no longer needed now that Wolfram was awake? Why wasn't he scrambling to hold onto the bit of power he'd been granted? Or did his easy smiles come from a confidence that he would somehow still be chosen over Wolfram, the rightful heir to the throne?
"When you wake up, do you think we could do this together?"
"Damnit," Wolfram muttered, rubbing at his temple. Yuuri looked back at him with a worried frown.
"Headache?" he asked. "My mom used to say scowling too much would do that to you."
"I don't scowl." he said with a scowl, making Yuuri snort with laughter.
It definitely did not make anything flutter in his chest.
That would be stupid. He couldn't stand this interloper. This interloper who argued in his favor against his Father. The fact that he returned his anger and rage with nothing but gentle smiles was absolutely infuriating!
Yuuri held the door open for him and Wolfram winced as he stepped out into the blinding sunlight. He hadn't actually been outside since the brief walk across the interior courtyard after climbing out of the glass casket, and that had been at night. The feeling of sun on his skin made him gasp softly, something inside him settling. Even if it didn't feel like so much time had passed to his mind, his body certainly seemed to realize it had been over 800 years since he had stood in the sun.
"Wow," It was said so softly and with so much wonder, Wolfram almost wasn't surprised when he turned back to Yuuri to see the man staring at him in abject awe. His black eyes didn't look half bad like that. But Yuuri recovered quickly, blinking and shaking his head before giving Wolfram a bashful smile. "Sorry. Come on, Conrad usually hangs out over here…"
Right. What did one even say to younger brothers you had never met? If he remembered correctly from his conversation with Father, Gwendal was older, and Yuuri had said Conrart had picked out his name, so both were older than Yuuri. Neither were children, so was there even much point in thinking of them as his brothers? It's not like they would need his protection and guidance as grown men…
"Perfect!" Yuuri practically cheered ahead of him. "I was hoping to catch you two together!" His guide hurried forward to greet the two men who had been talking outside the barracks.
Wolfram froze at the sight of them. These were his brothers?! Neither looked anything like his Mother! The darker haired one wore a heavy set frown while the other had a placid kind of smile.
No one would ever believe he was the older of the three. They were both at least a head taller than both him and Yuuri and had much broader shoulders.
"Wolf, come on!" Yuuri called, waving him over.
"Don't call me that!" Wolfram snapped but walked to him with his chin held high to cover his nerves.
Yuuri only rolled his eyes at his scolding and gestured to the brown haired man. "Wolfram, this is Conrart Weller, and this is Gwendal Voltaire."
Weller's smile warmed. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Wolfram."
Gwendal's narrowed blue eyes swept over him before looking back at Yuuri. It made anger coil in Wolfram's gut at how dismissive the look had been. "I had heard rumors that the Prince had been awoken by you."
Yuuri frowned. "Don't talk about him like he's not here, Gwendal."
Gwendal gave a dignified snort. "Does it even matter? We will just be switching one whiney Prince for another."
Yuuri crossed his arms and leaned toward Gwendal. "I call bullshit." Wolfram's jaw dropped at Yuuri's language. "You love cute things and he is fucking adorable."
Wolfram fumed, face turning scarlet even as Gwendal's spasmed strangely. "You insolent little cur! You lecherous pervert-"
"I'm not a pervert!"
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
"You're not talking, you're insulting. There's a difference."
"No there isn't!"
"Is there a reason," Gwendal's voice suddenly boomed, cutting through their argument. A vein seemed to be pulsing in his forehead. "That the two of you are out here pestering me?"
"Introducing you to your brother isn't good enough?" Yuuri asked, arms still crossed. When Gwendal just stared him down, he sighed and dropped his arms. "His Majesty has troop orders."
"Fine. This way." Gwendal said, turning on heel and walking away.
Yuuri sighed heavily and finally looked back at Wolfram. "Can you go over the castle placement?"
"Of course I can, I'm not a simpleton!"
Yuuri just gave him a grin. "I'll be back in a bit!" he assured before hurrying after Gwendal.
Then it was just Wolfram and Conrart in an awkward silence.
"It takes Gwen a bit to warm up to people. I hope you'll forgive him."
Wolfram crossed his arms and looked away. "It's not like it really matters." It didn't. His family had always just been him and his Father, with Mother flittering in and out as she pleased. If this man that was supposed to be his brother hated him, it's not like it would change anything. He'd just be yet another change in his Father's men.
"How are you holding up?"
Wolfram scowled. "I'm fine."
"Really?" Conrart asked. He didn't even sound disbelieving. "I don't think I would be."
"Yes, well…" He didn't know what to say to that, but the anxiety he had been trying so hard to push away curled in his gut.
"I realize I'm essentially a stranger to you," Conrart said, voice managing to sound gentle without being patronizing. "But I'm willing to listen if you need an ear. I'm also not half bad with a sword if you'd prefer to spar. I have no magic, though. You'd be better off facing His Highness Yuuri for that."
"He keeps offering to spar." Wolfram said, scrunching up his nose. "Is he even any good?"
"I'm still better than him with a sword, but he's come a long way." Conrart said with a warm smile. "As far as magic, he's likely the strongest in the land."
"Stronger than Father?" Wolfram asked, disbelieving.
"It's hard to tell. His Majesty doesn't use magic much anymore, so most don't have a reference for his full capabilities. I have heard the Daikenja thinks highly of Yuuri's magical skills, though. It was the primary reason he was chosen to be acting Heir."
Wolfram gave a hum of acknowledgement, still frowning at the ground. The only thing special about the interloper seemed to be his ability to talk back to his Father without punishment. Was it possible he was stronger than Father, and that was why…?
"Will you still be taking dinner with your Father?" Conrart asked after a moment. "We all tend to eat together in the main dining room. I'm sure Yuuri would be happy if you were to join us."
"That interloper has more than enough people ensuring he's happy without adding me to it." Wolfram said, turning his head to glare after where Yuuri had disappeared.
"Hm," Conrart gave a soft chuckle. "That's a shame, I'm fairly certain you would be the best at it."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Wolfram demanded, turning his glare to the taller man instead.
Now Conrart's smile was quietly knowing. "Surely they had such stories 800 years ago?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Wolfram shouted. Stupid stories had nothing to do with anything! The fact that his heart started to race anytime his sleep-addled brain decided to conjure up the memory of warm lips on his own was because it was so despicable for someone to do such a thing! Besides, Yuuri was his replacement and he couldn't stand him! "Father want's more soldiers in the East Wing." Wolfram said, deciding to stubbornly relay the King's orders and pretend such comments had never been said.
A/N: My apologies for the delay. My motivations for this story have sadly dwindled. This chapter has been sitting in my drafts for a while, so I thought I'd at least get it tossed up. Unsure when or if the next chapter will be posted, though. I thank everyone for your kind comments. Out of all my currently on going multichapter fics, this one had the flimsiest end point, so I'm not sure if we'll ever get there. I promise I'll try, though, if I can get my brain to cooperate!
