The very last instalment! The very last chance for Yuuri to prove his love! hope you guys enjoy this! Now, I can concentrate more on Stubborn Souls and my other neglected fics! Hope you like this last chapter!

Why should I care about you? Why should I even be here? It's hard to tell your mind to stop loving someone if your heart still does. I wish I hadn't remember you at all. I wish I could just run away again and never come back. Back to the hurt and the heartache. All I wanted was for you to accept me. Accept my love. But it's hard. Tell me, how can you be friends with someone if everytime you look at them it makes you want them even more? (Wolfram von Bielefield)

Surreal Fate : Illusions of Love

Trials of Love - Destiny's Final Lesson

Impulsive. Reckless. The very two words that best described him. Stubborn. From the window of his own room with his arms crossed, he watched the maids hurrying around. Preparing for the next ball. Why should he care? Much to his misery, his treacherous heart did. He dared not close his eyes, for fear of the images of the king and the many noble ladies. But it was too late. Already many of the images skimmed passed his mind, causing him to frown even more intensely.

A knock on the door soon interrupted his thoughts, blissfully ending the many images. Looking away from the window, he found his brother entering his room before closing the door. "What do you want?" He looked away.

He knew he was being rude and childish but he couldn't help it. But Conrad gave no indication at all. "Wolfram, I came on His Majesty's request. He would like you to reconsider -"

"There's a few words that I'll like to say to him," he muttered under his breath. "I've already told Mother that I'm not going to that, that 'party'."

"Then, this is an order. His Majesty's." Silently he glared at his brother before turning away. Silence stretched before he turned around again. With a haughty snort, he flipped back a few of his black-gold locks.

"I'll go. As His Majesty orders"

Another ball and once again, the feeling of envy and jealousy threatened to burst. His eyes followed the king's movements, the hand that rested gently on the woman's hip and the gentle smile that softened the young Maou's face. He noted the gentle blush the woman had and looked away. Alone and ignored, Wolfram rested his back against the pillar, a wineglass forgotten in his hand. With a sigh, he lowered his head, several black-yellow locks slipped forward. He watched as several feet twirled past him and wondered if he should really be here.

This ball had nothing to do with him, or rather, he had nothing to do with the king's activities any longer. Just the thought of it deepened his treacherous feelings, a mixture of his love and his jealousy. A pair of boots came to view and he frowned at the sight. Lifting his head, he watched as Conrad smiled at him. "What?" he roughly asked. But that only made his brother's smile deepened.

"This isn't like you, Wolfram," his brother commented as he moved to stand beside the knight. A soft grunt emitted from the smaller knight but only that. Silently, the two stood beside each other, both watched the king and his dance partner.

"If this isn't like me, then tell me. What should I be like?" The sudden soft question did not startle the brown-haired knight, only causing him to smile even more.

"Be yourself, go after him," the knight advised his brother. Wolfram did not reply him immediately, his eyes turned to watch the other couples dancing.

"This is ridiculous." It came out in a whisper.

"No, it isn't," his brother disagreed. "But that is only my opinion." With that said, Conrad straightened himself, gave Wolfram a pat on the shoulder before walking away. And once again, he was left alone. Resting his head against the cold marble, he watched the chandelier and how the light twinkled; the sound of the music softly played in the background.

Suddenly, the music died and the sound of feet dancing stopped in an instant. Thinking that another dance would soon commence, he continued to look at the ceiling as he twirled the wineglass in his hand. Then, a sound of a pair of heels tapping was distinct and echoed throughout the whole ballroom. He heard the silence as conversation died down, unaware of the stares of the guests.

He was surprised to feel the wineglass gently pulled away from his grasp and he lowered his head to find the Maou staring at him intently. He watched as the king placed the glass on the empty tray of a passing waiter. It was then that he realized the guests were staring at the two of them, the women hiding their faces behind their fans. And he found Conrad smiling as he tipped his glass at him.

"Wolfram." He heard his name came from the young king and he turned. A soft smile played on the king's lips as a hand was held out to him. "Would you care to dance?"

His eyes widened at the sudden question, unable to believe it. A part of him was overjoyed at being asked but another was afraid, for he knew of the gossips that would come after.

"But -"

"It doesn't matter if people might talk. This is our time," the king assured the knight with another breathtaking smile. Several of his black-gold locks slipped forward, hiding his expression as he gently placed his hand firmly on the king's. He felt the king gently pulled him to the center of the ballroom, watched the happiness played on the king's face as the others made way for them. Standing alone with the king, he watched as his partner placed his hand on his shoulder, the king's hand rested on his hip. Their hands were palmed together before the king curled his around Wolfram's, gently tightened the hold.

The music began to play with a nod of the king's dark head and the two began to move. Seconds later, several couples came forward and began to dance as well. In the beginning, he was conscious of the stares that they were getting but he soon felt relaxed and at peace. As the king twirled them around, he looked over the dark Maou's shoulder. His brothers, Gunter, the Sage and even his mother looked at them with approval in their eyes. He watched as Conrad smiled and nodded.

"Wolfram." He once again heard his name came from the king and he turned to look at his partner. "This is what you've wanted on that night, wasn't it?"

"What are you talking about?" he stammered, a hint of blush on his cheeks. The king smiled and twirled them again. "This is all getting to your head. I wanted no such thing."

"It's no use trying to hide it from me. On that night, while I was dancing with one of the ladies, I saw you were practically seething with jealousy. I tried to stop, but you've already turned and joined the group of men behind you. So I decided that I'll ask you for the next dance." Hearing this, Wolfram's blush grew even more and it was difficult to meet the king's gaze. "But as it turned out, the ladies ambushed me and asked to see the garden. Having no choice, I was obliged to take them there. And as soon as we got to the garden, they started asking all these questions about us. And when you heard me say -"

"It doesn't matter now," he interrupted, not wanting to hear anymore. His eyes were downcast but he did not pull away. He felt the king tightened his grasp on him but said nothing. In due time, everything will be over and he would remained only just a knight to the king.

"No. I want you to listen," the king insisted as they came to a stop. "'What's done is done. It's bad enough that I've made that mistake. It'd be disastrous if I were to actually marry him.' That was what I said. But-" The king pushed his chin up, causing him to stare up at the Maou. "It'd be disastrous if I were to actually marry him. But I wouldn't mind. I wouldn't care what others might say because, deep down, I knew I was meant to be with him."

"I'm sorry that I said all those things. And I'm sorry for dissolving the engagement. I didn't know you've regained your memories. But I did meant it when I said it. I never want to see you cry again, see you put yourself at risk again. And all because of me. This time, for sure, I'll be stronger. Stronger so that you wouldn't have to go through all that again."

He could only stare at the king, his eyes widened with shock. Deep inside, he felt his heart racing before slowing. He could feel himself burst into millions as the feeling of happiness spread throughout his body. With a sudden, he grabbed hold of the king's lapels and pulled the startled king towards him. Startled gasps filled the room as the people watched the two of them locked together. The women fanned themselves profusely with their fans while the men murmured with one another, some pointing. Conrad smiled even more before turning to find his mother smiling. Cheri turned and smiled at her second child before nodding. Reluctantly he released the king as he pulled himself away.

It looked like the dark-haired king was about to speak but a gentle smile appeared. His gaze did not stray as the king turned to face the rest of the ballroom.

"As of today onwards, my heart is tied to my loyal subject who, despite losing his memories, risked his life to protect me. His brave courage is proof of his love to me and I gladly return the gesture. To those who look down on us, I no longer care what you would say. All that matter now is that he will forever be by my side, ruling alongside with me. And if he allows -" he allegedly announced as he turned to face the blushing knight. "I would like us to be wed as soon as possible. Before another catches my eyes. Besides, he gave his answer when he slapped me in return." A mischievous glint was in his dark eyes as he smiled at the now surprised Wolfram.

"Wimp," the knight countered but he smiled as he pulled the king towards him once again. All around them, the guests smiled and clapped; the women sighed at the sight while the men nodded at one another.

"Say my name." He heard the soft whisper against his lips. Tightening his grip, he smiled. Almost wickedly. The king murmured his request again.

"Yuuri." He finally whispered before pulling the king again. The roar of the applause was ringing in his ears, but all he could hear was the beating of their hearts. The very sound of Yuuri's love.

High above, among the clouds of heaven, several faint figures smiled at the image that was displayed before them; some sighed with contentment while others shook hands with one another, nodding with agreement. The hooded figure separated itself from the others, standing near to the image of the two boys before pulling down the hood.

"Two hearts, once apart, was meant to be and now have become one. Destiny has a funny way of showing the way to those misguided. You might be the great Maou, powerful and fearful, but no one can escape the hands of fate. You are first and foremost a man, unable to reveal what was inside your heart. But you've conquered the fear and finally able to accept what warms your heart.

She smiled down from the clouds, her unseeing eyes gazed upon the two. Wisps of her long blue hair billowed across her face, a hand lifted to hold back the straying locks as the others moved to stand around her. Their faint wings glittered under the moonlight. Finally Destiny, in the form of Lady Julia von Wincott, gave another smile before her angels wrapped their wings around her and faded away.

"Nothing is comparable to love. Love is strong yet delicate. It can be broken. To truly love is to understand this. To be in love is to respect this. Love can make you happy but often times it hurts, but love is only special when you give it to who its worth. Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. That is my final lesson to you."

Yes, finally I've learnt that nothing matters in love. Only you are the one I really care about. I've been foolish, careless in my words and the way I had been treating you. Never again will I ever make that grave mistake. I don't care about what my destiny is. I'll not accept, no, I refuse to accept a destiny that does not have you in it. I'll defy everything and everyone. I'll defy even myself, just to have you back with me. What the angels do not know is that our destiny has been foretold, written and sealed with a kiss. (Yuuri Shibuya)