Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KYOU KARA MAOU
It is not my property, no profit made.
Thanks for the reviews :)
From Yuuri's POV
xx
I wish the departure from Shin Makoku for Van Da Via by ship had been as calm and peaceful as the return to our kingdom. I dreaded a visit of our favourite mermaid but it seemed he had been too scared to show up again, even if Beautiful Wolfram, despite his sea sickness, remained a lot on the bridge of the boat. He said he wanted to take advantage of the sunny time. It's true that days can be amazingly breathtaking here. I stayed beside him from time to time, and I was delighted to see Wolfram opening up a little more but his conversation was almost always on how I should be as a king of the Demon Tribe. He didn't reveal much about his own life and his family.
The rumours of the new demon king fighting against a mermaid and showing off his powers had spread in the four (are there only four?) parts of this world and that was why I had been wearing a now blond wig for protection, with blue lenses since we got on board. I couldn't be Yuuri Shibuya less than that!
As I walked back to our common bedroom, I asked Conrad ,who was writing a letter on the table, where on earth Yozack was. This guy is playing hide-and-seek with us, I swear!
" He went back to Shin Makoku before us, your majesty."
"...oh...was it a mission?" this question had been gnawing my curiousness since I saw him asking Conrad if he could go because he had an errand to run. Conrad's facial expression slightly altered before his usual smile came back, which somehow confirmed me he was hiding something to me.
" More or less your majesty, I'm asking you not to worry about it, please..."
" Aahah, it's okay, Conrad..." I didn't feel that vexed that he wouldn't confide in me; after all it was maybe of no importance. Conrad returned to his letter and I sat back on my bed and reached for the papers that were upon my bed side table. They were small exercises given to me by both Conrad and Wolfram to learn Shin Makoku's language and writing. It wasn't so difficult and I yearned for more, because it would lessen my lessons with Gunter who had burdened me with tons and tons of work. The more I advanced in my learning, I told myself, the less work he would give me.
I got rapidly interested in the small exercises. Wolfram's sentences kind of disturbed me though.
The mountain horse saw a sausage of sea shrimp at the bottom and rushed over it but slid on slick stones and fell somewhere upon his sunny haired master who later sliced the sausage to feed his beaver .
...?
( In case you're wondering why there are so many times the sound /s/ it is because it can be written with different ways, wimp)
Ah. I nodded. It explained everything, but his lack of poesy in his writing sort of perturbs me.
" Why is Wolfram writing so many weird things for my exercises? I thought he would be able to find beautiful sentences to help me."
Conrad, finishing writing his letter, looked at me and his left eyebrow rose:
" Can you read me one of them, please?"
I read as perfectly as I could. I swore I saw a flash of amusement in Conrad's eyes. The small smile he even made suggested me he had to fight down a laugh. Shaking his head at that, the second son of Celi scratched his chin in a pensive manner before answering:
" Well...Wolfram has always had a terrible imagination when it comes to writing...I mean...his stories are always full of strange events that would seldom take place even in Shin Makoku..."
"...you mean he writes weird stuff?"
" Yes...in a way...one day, I asked him where all this came from...he answered me his dreams were a source of inspiration..."
" What are you telling about, Weller?"
Shrieking at the sudden- and very scaring- voice that reached our ears, I finally caught sight of Wolf at the threshold, one hand against the door he had just opened. His face- usually so adorable and cute- wore a deadly glare directed...at his brother. Everybody would have been scared away by such daggers in his eyes, but Conrad just stood up from his chair and folding his letter in three, he grinned at his pissed little brother:
" Ah, Wolfram, I didn't know you were there."
" I'm coming back from my morning walk and all I heard is you talking about me?"
" Ahahah, I thought you'd stay longer up there. Why did you come earlier?"
Wolfram sighed and crossed his arms.
" Well...I just wanted to tell you we're arriving. The port of Shin Makoku is visible from this distance."
" Really?" my joy was tremendous! I jumped to my feet and rushed outside. Indeed, when I got close to the edge, I recognized the port of our kingdom, in the light of the fresh morning. People around were as happy as I was.
I then found myself wondering why I was feeling that way for a world I learned about just a few weeks ago and that I just started to trust.
xx
We rode leisurely towards Blood Pledge Castle that, oddly, I missed, and even paused for a good pick-nick near a river. Wolfram had cooked small fishes and when I tasted them, I found them terribly good. When I praised him about it, however, he refused to look at me and even when I sought his look, he slightly turned his face away. I don't know which wrong I had done to him...but as long as he doesn't insult me, I'm fine with that. " Thank you again, Wolf."
The castle was close and a servant even spotted us from his place near the gate. He ran towards us and, greeting me with a long smile that warmed my heart, asked if I was fine and what I needed him to do for my comfort. I must admit his requirement made me blush! I'm not used to that.
" Ahah, er...it's fine, it's fine. Go back to what you were doing...I don't want to annoy you or-"
The teenager's already huge eyes widened and he balled his hands into round fists.
" But majesty, you don't annoy me at all! Please, tell me what to do and I'll do it with all my heart!!"
Why do I feel more than weird? I don't want people to kiss the ground for me.
" The king told you you could go back to what you were doing," Wolfram cut out " obey him now."
The very young man lost his smile and looked at lord Wolfram with both fear and sadness. I think he made him upset. I didn't like the small frown upon his face so I got off of my horse and, getting close to him, rested a hand on his shoulder:
" Okay, I want you...to...to, well, tell me what has happened in the castle during my absence... and if lord Gwendal and lord Gunter argued again;" I had really already seen them getting into a heated row about one of Anissina's inventions. I know they both turned into wimps when Anissina showed up with her crazy machines. And somehow, I almost found this funny.
His eyes sparkled as if it was a honour to answer me.
" Well, nothing bad happened. Just Lady Anissina wanted to use Lord von Voltaire as a guinea but he refused and as she followed him he started to run in the whole castle until he had to lock himself up in one of the dungeons that are said to be haunted by former kings' wives and he spent all the night there until Lady Anissina calmed down and chose Gunter who accepted to serve her because she said it was an invention for you..."
Wow. " Breath," it's all I managed to say. The young man seemed to have run a marathon and he nodded.
"...Beside this, some guests have come at the castle for your coronation."
" Guests?" Conrad tilted his head, his curiousness written all over his face.
" Yes," the boy shook his head in affirmation "the ten nobles and some of your oldest friends: Marilou de Rivedepont, Sonia von Kirchenburg, Fitzwilliam von Flanders, Charles von Lewisson..."
" Charlesvon Lewiss...??" Wolfram suddenly said.
I looked up at him and caught notice of the red upon his cheeks, his nervousness arose and he started to fidget with his horse's reins. That arose as for me my curiousness and I almost forgot what the boy had said. I turned towards the blond, eager to know more.
" Wolf? Is something wrong?" I really wanted to know what had made his loose his temper.
He tried to get back his countenance but I could still see his blush. He didn't look at me.
"...no, your majesty. Let's go back to the castle to get yourself ready to meet your guests and allies."
" Ah...Well, you're right."
xx
As expected, as soon as he saw me, our dear Gunter crushed me into a suffocating hug and nearly squeezed me to death. It was counting without Celi, who after she shoved my poor teacher aside, pressed me against her gorgeous bosom and rubbed her head against mine. I barely had the time to see we were in my personal office.
" Ooooh, your majesty, was your trip with my sons great? Did they treat you well?"
" D-don't worry! They were very nice! I'm grateful to them." I wish she didn't hold me this strong because I started lacking air. Is this how she expresses her affection?
" Really? Oh, I know Conrad is a perfect gentleman, his father was like this, that's why I fell head over heels in love with him!! But as for my Wolfie, I was a bit worried because I know how hot-tempered he is, mostly with people he despises at the beginning but you, your majesty, who could hate you?? You're so cute!" she started to pinch my cheeks and the vivid image of my aunt doing it the same to me when I was a baby came back in my mind. A loud "um, um," interrupted the ex-queen who looked behind her and saw...Gwendal, with a frown marring his handsome face and an attempt to be patient towards his mother's overt display of affection. I felt my shoulders slouch as this tall man approached us, his ominous look heavy upon me. A shiver ran down my spine, making me bending further as if I had to kneel in front of Conrad's elder brother.
" Your majesty," he articulated with his manly voice. I dared to look up at him. His gaze drifted from my face to my hip. " I can see you...found it."
What is he...
Oh, yes. Morgif. I unsheathed it and showed it to him. Morgif was smiling proudly. I even found in him an air of nobility...
" Yes, thanks to both Conrad and Wolfram...We found Morgif..."
Several applauses elevated in the air and, my surprise raising into stupefaction, I looked behind Gwendal to see, seated around a very wide round table, about seven adults. Their original hair colours really made me intrigued but their presence even more. I stood before them waiting to know who they were. As for them, well, they began studying me with what seemed great interest.
" Your majesty...here are the Nobles. They are your allies," Gwendal stepped aside to let me see them better.
Blood rushed over my head and my breath seemed to block as I had tried to take a long sip of air...
" Ladies and gentlemen, here is your new king...Shibuya Yuuri...after a fight against my own brother, we saw the Maou manifesting in him."
They rose and all, at the same time, just like in a perfect choreography, bowed before me. Really, that couldn't make me more embarrassed. To be treated with such deference all you need is be a king. I hope they don't do the same when it's a tyrant...
A finger slightly poked my shoulder.
" Gwend...?"
" Greet them, your majesty."
" Wh-Ah! Yes, of course!"
I bowed in the Japanese way, trying to be as polite as I could.
" Good morning, I-I'm happy to see all of you here...it seems you have travelled from your lands to welcome me. Thank you very much."
" Only Lord Adalbert is missing, he doesn't acknowledge you as our true king. He turned into an enemy while he is one of the most nobles of our kingdom..."
Adalbert? The immense, blond man who I thought tried to kill me but instead helped me to understand people's language? An enemy...How could it be possible? Upon seeing my astonishment, Gwendal said:
" We'll explain you later, your majesty. First, let's meet your new allies."
" Fascinating," one of the nobles said, his elbow propped unto the richly ornamented table. His gaze seemed to pierce into me as he plunged it into mine. " His hair is black like the darkest night and his eyes are as black as ebony...we really have a rare specimen." Specimen? I dare ask you to repeat this.
"Not only does he look like the Great Sage who was the best ally of Shinou but he also managed to find this sword..." a woman among them said. A third one who had been watching me with insistence turned to them and added:
" Moreover, I think all of you heard about the fact he fought against a mermaid and everybody knows how dangerous those creatures are...he must have a great power," and they continued talking, often stealing peeks at me, without caring about whether I liked what they were saying to one another.
I remained still under their study of my person, unable to move or even stretch my finger and I was even more terrified and intimidated as neither Conrad, who was there, nor Gwendal intervened. The ex-queen seemed to find this very normal while Gunter listened to them, hoping they would only have good things to say about me. Reality was a heavy brick that fell upon my head.
xx
I waited for Conrad who got a letter from a maid then he came back to my side, smiling nicely. I saw him slide the letter in his pocket. We shuffled through one of the open hall ways ,of the castle, whose ceiling was supported by numerous white columns, to get to the dining-room for the lunch. As for the inner garden, it was sprinkled with flowers in bloom.
" Why do they speak like this about me? Am I so "rare"?"
" Well, your majesty. Indeed the black colour you have is very exceptional and almost no one has seen such a living example as you. A few years ago, in poor villages, this fascination for double blacks, the ones with both black hair and eyes, reached its paroxysm and a hunt was organized for one year to search for a real double black. The one who would find one would be awarded by a tremendous amount of money. Unfortunately, the situation became worse. A girl who was said to have very dark eyes and hair was sold by her father and as she tried to escape the family which bought her, she was killed. Since then, we have taken measures and forbidden this kind of hunt. People's perception about double black has changed over the years: they don't think of them as simple human or simple mazoku."
I nodded feeling depressed. Being an outsider had always frightened me in a way.
"...That's why I always have to wear a wig and lenses, isn't it?"
" Yes, and we know it must be a burden for you. But it's for your sake. When your learn about how to control and use your power, you'll no longer need to wear all of that."
" You're saying I'm still too ignorant and fragile to be carried into this world with my true appearance."
" No, your majesty...well, this world is too dangerous for you because you're still new and you only have seen the tip of the iceberg so far. Let's wait a little longer. Then, as you become more familiar with it, you'll be able to visit it on your own."
I tried to smile but my lips remained downward. He was right. The tip of the iceberg. It meant with no ambiguity that I had a tough job in my hand and that I will have to head this country all alone. I'm astounded at the fact that despite being a teenager, my age is by no means taken into account.
" I have seen letters made of the same paper in both Gwendal's and Gunter's pockets." I said after a while, halting in my steps. The sun was strong, so I stayed hidden in the shadow. " And I don't know if all the papers here are of the same material but it was the same you used in Van Da Via. It meant you were writing letters to them and you also got letters..." I've been pondering about this for hours in fact but was afraid to openly talk about this to Conrad and Wolfram. I started to observe things on my own, because scared to be in a world that enchanted me but that I didn't know, I had thought the best was I began watching with my own eyes. " Is something trailing behind my back?... Are you hiding something to me?"
I wasn't feeling courageous enough to look into his eyes.
" Your majesty...how..." his voice told me he was stunned.
" Please, tell me..."
" Please, don't worry like this. It's not something you should think about right no..."
" PLEASE, Conrad!" I wheeled around to look at him, my eyes pleading. " I want to know. I need to know. If you want me to become a good king, stop hiding things to me."
He was staring at me in shock and curiousness. I continued: " you said to Wolfram the other day if he always treated me contemptuously, it could affect me and I would do nothing good in the end. But if you always try to hide things to me...you won't make me able to learn and progress more either."
He stared at me for a few seconds, then sighed, his lips curving into a benevolent smile that said he was giving up. Resting a hand upon my shoulder, he finally said:
" Indeed, serious things are currently occurring inside our own kingdom...It's a matter we care about because it was directly concerning you...our next Demon King. Many people, like human beings, and even a few mazoku, have refused the reign of another mazoku king. It has run for a very long time, even before my mother was queen, and her life itself was already at stake when she was crowned. Despite the fact she was a good, compassionate queen, a lot of people didn't accept her and her power and they swore to defeat the next demon sovereign when she or he will be revealed to the world. They say you aren't the legitimate ruler of the kingdom. They say this country shouldn't be a kingdom anymore but a kind of republic too or at least ruled by human beings only. What they forgot is that this kingdom was built by Shinou and our ancestors to allow mazoku to live peacefully forever."
The shock made me mute. I was staring at my godfather with so much compassion and worry that he patted my shoulder and said:
" That is why Yozak has been absent from your side. He's searching for information about what is going on in the underworld to prevent and protect us. He's a spy and he has been sending me information about what he hears about people threatening you and our tribe. All the letters I have got lately are from him and I was sending, on the other hand, the same information with a special code to Gwendal and Gunter. They are enhancing the security to prevent any attack against our kingdom."
My lips trembled as I looked down. The weight of his revelation was crushing my shoulders and my mind. It was beyond my own imagination. I didn't know the situation was so bad but...How could I have known?
" I didn't want to worry you, that's why I kept that all for myself," Conrad admitted. " Even if Wolfram pushed me to say you the truth. He always worries about you becoming a good king. But I think you're not ready yet to hear everything about this world. We want to make a good place for you to live in. Do you understand, now?" he asked gently. When I neither responded, nor looked at him, he said gentler:" Do you, Yuuri?"
" ...Thank you..." I managed to say.
Suddenly, a guard approached and informed Conrad that goods from the neighbour kingdom had arrived at the castle but there was a surplus and they didn't know where to put it. While Conrad was talking with him, I caught sight of two silhouettes at the opposite extremity of the hall way and narrowing my eyes at them, I stepped closer, though the shadow of a big column kept me concealed. My surprise grew when I identified one of them as Wolfram and the other one a tall man I had never met before. He was speaking with Wolfram, very closely, his face almost against his. His tender and affectionate demeanour betrayed his own feelings. He's also very good-looking with dark blond hair and a fair perfect skin, but I couldn't see his eyes colour. His rich clothes- white leather cape, dark blue uniform, high black leather boots and a long sword at his hip- were an indication of his rank. His nobility was just too obvious to remain unnoticed.
Wolfram was looking at him but was motionless and his face even bore a slight embarrassed expression. I wonder why he is like this. The man caressed his lock then his cheek. Wolfram frowned but didn't shy away. The man laughed softly and kissed (!!!!) Wolfram on the cheek, his lips even lingering on Wolf's skin!
Oh my...I couldn't believe what I was watching but what I knew is that I felt a painful pinch at my heart. I couldn't take my eyes off of them and I felt horrible because I didn't expect Wolfram to have this kinds of liking ( "Human girls don't interest me"), neither had I expected to hope to see him get away from that man!! So Wolf...preferred men over women...? Damn, and why is that man so close to him?!
Eeck!! What am I thinking that? I mean...that guy doesn't seem dangerous or bad...it's just...I don't like how his hands are always trying to get something from Wolf...and it even looked like Wolfram didn't like it very much, but why in that case, was he taking his hand in his own hands? I can't seem to see clear through this new fog.
Suddenly, very abruptly Wolfram looked at my direction. He first spotted Conrad who had sent the guard back to his work. Then his eyes drifted towards me and he slightly startled. I saw his lips say "Yuuri"; the man at his side frowned then followed his gaze.
He noticed me too at last. Surprise shaped his facial features into raised eyebrow and an open mouth. Wolfram said something to him, then both of them headed towards me. I didn't feel very good when I saw them walking straight towards me. But I wanted to know. Conrad, back at my side, just made a simple "'oh" on seeing them.
" Yuuri," Wolfram said stopping in his track as he was standing before me. The man once again looked at Wolfram in a weird way when Wolf said my name before looking at me again." You're finished with the Nobles?"
" Yes, I am."
" How did you find them?"
" They...Well...everything was fine. I think they're nice enough. We'll get along I'm sure of that."
" So here is the new Demon King," the unknown blond man stated suavely, smiling a little at me. I tried to return the smile. What kind of person was he? And was...Wolfram attracted to him? I mean does he really prefer men? ( damn, why is this question making me feel strange?)
" Oh, Yuuri. This is Charles von Lewisson. One of my friends since my childhood." Oh, the famous Charles that Wolfram had freaked out upon hearing the name. He was a very young adult in fact and his delicate handsomeness would make anyone feel jealous. Me included, alas.
" Nice to meet you, " I said shaking his hand. Wolf went on:
" And yes, Charles, this is the new Demon king, Yuuri."
" You must be really familiar with him to call him by his name," Charles commented and I didn't think it was a praise. He avoided looking at my frown as he turned to Conrad and shook his hand, too. The smiles they exchanged proved me they were in good terms enough.
" You're going to the dining-room, aren't you?" Wolfram asked me, hand on hip as usual.
" Yes...I..." why is Charles looking lovingly at Wolfram's body? I mean he is caressing his curves with his eyes only! Shouldn't I feel weird to see a man looking at another man like this? But oddly, it wasn't what annoyed me...it was the fact Wolfram didn't seem against those loving looks and caresses. Even Conrad was casual about it.
" You?" Wolfram tilted his head as I trailed off.
" Y-yes, with Conrad, I was heading for the dining-room."
" Fine, we'll go with you. Everyone is invited at our table. And then, I'll help you a little for the coronation tomorrow," he smiled at me: " you will need it, it's a lot of work."
" Thanks. I hope we'll get some fun.. I heard your mother has organized a play for tomorrow."
An irresistible blush spread over Wolfram's face and he looked away, sighing.
" Well, I'll be in that play because she insisted . One of the actors is sick and I will replace him because I fit the role."
" Really? Y-you're going to play?" I felt so eager to see that and a huge idiotic smile must be tugging at my lips now.
" Yes, but it's something you shouldn't feel optimistic about. I'm not a great actor..."
" But don't say th-"
" Wolfram is so humble when it comes to acting," Charles interrupted me sliding a hand against Wolfram's back. " I'm really looking forward to watch you play. And hope you will offer me the flowers in the end," he looked at Conrad with amusement while Wolfram's cheeks painted in a red hue: " I hope it doesn't bother you that I say that to your brother?"
" Huh...flowers?" I said with surprise. Conrad answered for me:
" At the end of the play, the actors offer flowers to the persons they love..."
WHAT?
Wolfram shook his head, glaring at his brother:
" It's not exactly that, Conrad! It's when you're hoping for an engagement. And so far, I haven't emitted the wish to get married now."
" I hope to change your opinion about it..." Charles continued. " I will ask your hand to your mother and you know, you are welcome in my land and my castle. You already know that."
" I'm not ready enough," Wolfram replied, crossing his arms as the man's comment obviously bothered him. " Don't bring up the subject again, I told you I 'd answer you in two years, not now."
I will like this man, I will like him, I will...if I didn't find it hard the idea of he taking Wolfram away from my castle. Wolfram said he would help me to become a good king...he couldn't if he was away from me.
TBC
A lot of confusion in Yuuri's head...