HEELS OVER HEAD
Chapter Three
A ConYuu Fan-fiction
By: Ami
Beta-reader: thisissong
Alternate Universe, since I have no idea what happens after episode 34. No spoilers.
Standard disclaimers apply.
XXX
Yuuri didn't remember how he had reached the podium, or why there were so many people gathering in front of him, or what he ought to do with Anissina's handmade microphone in his hand. All he knew was that the people were waiting for his voice, for his opening speech.
Yuuri felt dizzy all of a sudden as the crowd started to shout out his name. It made him wonder how superstars kept up with this kind of situation every time.
"Heika."
Yuuri could hear Gunter's voice from behind of him.
"I know you're nervous, but please say something."
Yuuri gulped and nodded, as he lifted up his head to face the curious crowd.
"Err…"
What a dreadful beginning for a king's speech…
"I…"
Yuuri looked around to find something to talk about. As he lifted his head, he could see a huge floating banner, on which was written: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KING YUURI!
"…Thank you for attending my birthday party."
The crowd cheered happily at the Maou's voice.
"I really appreciate your presence. And…"
Yuuri turned his eyes to the empty food stands that were scattered around the front yard of Blood Pledge castle. It seemed that all of the vendors had left their places to join the other people to cheer for him in front of the podium.
"I hope you'll enjoy the party… and the food… I'd like to have a cone of vanilla ice cream after this…"
The crowd laughed loudly at the remark.
"I hope you're having a good time. Thank you."
Yuuri exhaled in relief as he could finally excuse himself to climb down the podium. A soldier escorted him to the dining room, where Wolfram had been waiting for him. Yuuri glanced at the big table for a moment. No dishes were set out on the table, indicating that he hadn't been taken there for a banquet.
"Nice vanilla speech, wimp. Quite entertaining."
Yuuri turned his eyes to the blond who was snickering at him. He was about to retort as he noticed that Wolfram looked a bit different. Almost unconsciously, he approached the bewildered guy and brought his hand up to touch Wolfram's hair.
"…Your hair…"
"H---hey! W---What do you think you're doing!" Wolfram promptly pushed him away, blushing heavily, "I—I'm gonna tell my brother about this---"
"Your hair…" Yuuri still seemed dazed, "…is long…"
Wolfram blinked, caught his reflection in a nearby window, then turned back to throw Yuuri a weird look.
"Just because it's your birthday and everyone is being lunatic about it, it doesn't mean that you have to act stupid too," Wolfram frowned, "and of course my hair is long. That's what I let it grow for, besides…"
Wolfram paused for a while, as he turned his face away in embarrassment, "…you're the one who told me that I'd look good with long hair…"
Yuuri rolled his eyes. He didn't remember if he had ever said something like that to Wolfram, but felt too tired to dispute.
"It looks really good on you," Yuuri smiled.
Wolfram snorted, "It's not like I let it grow for you."
Yuuri just shrugged as he turned around and approached his usual seat. When he looked down, he immediately realized that he was wearing a set of clothes he had never seen before, and for some reasons, he also felt that the table looked a few inches shorter than usual. Just when he was about to reach his chair, the door was slammed open and the rest of his friends finally appeared.
"Heika!" Gunter was the first one to approach him and hug him, "Happy birthday, Heika! Although it was a bit different from the script I have prepared for you, I, Gunter, am so proud of your opening speech! Every word that came from your lips was wonderful!"
Yuuri just smiled. Although he didn't think he had read such a script, somehow he was sure that it was totally different from his opening speech.
"Thank you for your hard work, Gunter. You can relax and have fun today."
Gunter nodded with a wide smile. Yuuri was glad since Gunter looked three times more cheerful than usual, although he also seemed a bit… shorter than usual (?)
"Oh, Heika! Happy birthday!" Cheri was the second to jump into his arms, pushing the overjoyed Gunter away, "I have specially come home to celebrate your birthday! Ara, you have become a handsome gentleman! Maybe I should have you for myself instead of giving you to my son!"
"Mother!" Wolfram protested.
"Thank you for sparing your time for me, Cheri-sama. I hope you're having a good time back home." Yuuri smiled. His eyes fell on Cheri's exposed shoulder then he glanced back at his own. "…You look a lot slimmer, Cheri-sama."
"Ooh, really? My, you have learned to talk like Conrad. Umm… I can't decide if I should be glad about it or not, since you were so cute with your own style before…"
"Mother…" Gwendal warned from behind her, "Please hurry. We don't have much time."
"I see. So you want to hug him too, Gwendal?" Cheri winked.
"Mother…" Gwendal sighed.
"Then I'll get to my seat now. Excuse me, Heika." Cheri placed a peck on Yuuri's cheek before turning around and walking away.
Gwendal stepped forward, seeming unsure what to say, "…Happy birthday."
"Thanks, Gwendal. Just for today, frowns are prohibited, okay?" Yuuri grinned.
Gwendal smiled just a little, "As you wish, Your Majesty."
As Gwendal walked away, Anissina stepped forward with her usual confident smile and shimmering eyes. As Anissina stood right in front of him, for once more, Yuuri felt that everybody looked a bit shorter and smaller than usual.
"Heika! Happy birthday!"
"Thanks for your hard work decorating the castle for today's party, Anissina-san." Yuuri just somehow knew it had been the woman's doing.
"No problem, the pleasure is mine." Anissina's smile widened, "Besides, I didn't do anything to your room. Someone else did it."
Yuuri blinked, "…You mean Conrad?"
Anissina nodded, "Although I told him that I could help, he insisted on redecorating it himself during the night. He said that he wanted to surprise you in the morning."
Yuuri suddenly remembered his previous dream, about his redecorated room, the flower garden, Conrad giving him roses and embracing him…
Was actually real? Or was it just a dream? It felt real, but it couldn't be. The real Conrad couldn't have treated him like that. It was a dream. But if it was really a dream, why did Anissina tell him about it as if it were real? Yuuri couldn't remember.
He had a strange feeling that a few moments before, he had just had dinner with all his friends. And at the time, Wolfram's hair had been still short, the table's height had still felt the same.
Which was the dream, which was the reality? Why couldn't he remember anything?
"Heika? Are you all right?"
Yuuri closed his eyes for a while, then opened them again and saw Anissina standing in front of him.
"I---I'm okay," Yuuri smiled weakly, "I guess I'm just being too excited about the party…"
"I see," Anissina smiled, "Don't worry, we'll start the party soon. I guess we can sit down while waiting for Sir Weller."
Yuuri nodded.
XXX
Yuuri slowly opened his eyes and sat up. It took him some time to recognize his surroundings, and the man who was standing next to his bed.
"Good morning, Heika." Conrad greeted after waiting for a few seconds in silence. Maybe he just wanted to wait until his king was entirely transferred back from dreamland to reality.
"…Good morning… nazukeoya…" Yuuri yawned.
Conrad chuckled. The reply indicated that Yuuri had been wholly conscious.
"You had another nightmare?" Conrad asked.
Yuuri shook his head as he turned his eyes to the smiling man, "Conrad, do you think dreams can be continued on different days?"
Conrad seemed taken aback for a while, "I suppose… it's possible."
Yuuri sighed, "I guess so."
"Is that what happened?" Conrad asked, looking concerned, "Your nightmare continued?"
Yuuri shook his head again, "No. It was never a nightmare in the first place. It just continued."
"I see," Conrad appeared in thought, "…Since you're a Maou, the dream might be a sign of something."
"Sign? Like foretelling?" Yuuri blinked.
"I'm not sure, but I'll ask mother and Ulrike-sama about it later. Please notify me if the dream keeps resuming itself."
Yuuri nodded, smiling in relief, "How about you? Have you caught the bandits?"
"What?"
Yuuri immediately clasped his hands on his mouth, realizing his mistake.
"How did you know that?" Conrad seemed like he knew the answer already, "…Yozak told you, didn't he?"
Yuuri nodded nervously, while hoping that he wasn't causing trouble for the redhead.
"He shouldn't have told you about it, but since you have found it out, I'll tell you about the problem," Conrad seemed displeased, making Yuuri feel sorry for Yozak, "It has been a few weeks since a group of bandits invaded a small town near this castle. They're currently hiding somewhere in the town, and once in a while, they leave their hideout and attack the civilians."
Yuuri frowned, "…I see. It's very disturbing indeed."
"But you don't have to worry about it, Yuuri. I have decided to take care of them myself. I can make sure that they'll be arrested in no time. It's not very serious. Besides, they're small in number."
For some reasons, Yuuri felt that Conrad was smiling just to convince him to not interfere with the problem, which meant that the bandits were indeed dangerous.
"Very well then, please get dressed now. I'll be waiting for you outside."
"Wait, Conrad."
"Yes?"
"You're going to the town again today?"
Conrad threw him another apologetic smile, "…Yes. Don't worry. I'll ask Yozak to keep you company."
Yuuri's smile bloomed, "Thanks."
XXX
TBC
