Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KYOU KARA MAOU
It is not my property, no profit made.
xx
I took long sips of air when we finally reached the woods.
" Put that on," ordered Yozak. He literally threw at my face a red wig and a violet cape. Greta got a male outfit. I made a face:
" Am I not supposed to wear man clothes instead of having my daughter wearing them?"
Greta allowed herself to laugh slightly. Rolling his eyes, the spy patted my shoulder:
" I have enough experiences to know what it's good for you, Majesty. Now please, let's hurry up."
I didn't complain any more and hastily slipped my new gears on. We were all ready, and then Yozak grabbed both Greta and I to drag us deeper into the thick forest. Once again, we had to run. Just when I thought I was going to collapse, my side hurting, the red-haired man stopped us. At that moment, two silhouettes emerged from the shadows with crackling sounds. I blinked; but quickly, my surprise raised into happiness.
" Wolfram!"
" Yuuri! Greta!"
He was with Murata, both of them riding horses. Wolfram leapt from his equine and jumped into my arms when I was close enough. Our hearts were throbbing so hard into our chests; I could feel his as if it was mine.. I'd never realized how much I missed him. His arms around me felt so warm and comforting. He's the only one who could make me feel so safe.
Sliding my hands upon his back , I thanked him with some caresses.
" Aaah, it's so good to see you!"
" Wimp! What the hell went into your head? Leaving me like this when you had to stay by my side? I have to keep you SAFE, remember?" he gave a light knock on my head, making me chuckle. Before I could let words slip out of my mouth, he kissed me fiercely. The feeling of surprise little by little gave room to affection. I held him tighter in my arms to assure him of the mutual tenderness that I had.
" Hum, hum."
We broke our kiss and turned our heads towards our friends. Yozak was looking elsewhere, whistling while Murata, arms crossed, was blushing a bit, watching us. I could already hear his amusement.
That must be quite a ride everynight with Wolfram, Shibuya.
Wha...? HEY, don't say that!
" I know you've missed each other but you'll have time to do some ante-marital affair when everything with Valten is done."
" Aha ah sorry!"
Greta took advantage of our separation to jump into Wolfram's arms. He lifted her from the floor to allow a proper hug.
" I'm so glad you're fine," he said. " I've missed you so much."
" Me too."
" Did that ghastly fellow treat you well?" Wolfram suddenly asked, his gaze becoming hard again. Greta quickly glanced at me. I did at her, too.
" Don't worry," I answered; my voice sounded deeper and darker so sudden that it made me wonder about my health. But right now, a flame of anger and a thirst for justice were flaring up within me. Wolfram- and the others- must have noticed it; they all stepped back, intentionally. Yozak, though, gathered his spirits faster than my boyfriend, my daughter and my compatriot did and urged us to climb on the horses to go. We did but all at once, the ground seemed to shake. Then, a few yells burst into the air.
My blood froze.
" What is it?"
" Catch them! Catch them! Don't let them go!" It was as though monsters were coming from hell whose doors might have been opened by a malicious creature.
And then, we could see enraged men running towards us, united like dozen of predators that had found some fresh food. My mind slowly identified Valten at the front of this pack of wolves; but Wolfram was quicker than me and was already kicking his horse to gallop and fly away from the danger. Greta was with Murata, and Yozak had his own horse that had been brought by Murata and Wolf. Our small group, under the threat of being lynched and captured again, was traversing like an arrow the forest once again. When I looked over my shoulder, holding Wolfram tight, I could see our enemies had already mounted horses and were still chasing us, their hatred written all over their faces. Valten's eyes were the most full of hate. I would never be able to forget that look.
Fear seemed to have made me crazy because everything was like increased. The shouts, the hammering sounds of hooves against the ground, even the dread we were all feeling. When Wolfram exclaimed with an obvious relief "Gwendal! Conrad!" I knew then everything was going to get better. "Gunter! What are you doing here?" And that, no, I wasn't going insane. I raised my face and darted around with my eyes, to check the situation. I instantly understood why Wolfram and my friends were so happy.
Shin Makoku soldiers, directed by Gwendal, Conrad and Gunter, were rushing ahead, as though they were about to clash against the enemy "army". Every sword the troops had was raised in the air.
" Hey! Conrad!" I shouted, waving my hand. He caught sight of me, smiled, but then returned his gaze towards the opponent. " Where have you guys popped out from?" I asked. Of course, they couldn't hear me. It was Wolfram who retorted:
" It was a part of their plan! They've been marching towards Valten's castle for days, now!" he braked his horse then stopped it, just like Murata did when enough soldiers were shielding us around. As for Yozak, he galloped until Conrad's side. My godfather and my two other advisers had stopped too when they realized their sudden intervention had frozen in fear Valten and his acolytes. On their faces, I could read incomprehension. It was fascinating how speed emotions can change.
" Valten Theobald, you are under arrest for act of treason towards the king and the kingdom," announced with a loud, heavy voice a dignified, yet angry Lord von Voltaire. The sword Valten was holding in his left hand shook. He obviously was shocked. His plans were falling apart, like a fragile cards castle. His accomplices were stealing peeks at one another, not knowing what to do. Then, Valten searched for something with his eyes and when his gaze set on me, tears escaped his eyes. It left me stunned.
" I refuse to be judged elsewhere than in my castle," he replied, his voice shaky.
We were surprised; why wasn't he fighting? Just as if he had heard our inward question, Valten looked at his friends and then, at us:
" Don't hurt them."
He couldn't risk their lives.
xx
We were back in Valten's castle. It had no name. It was maybe to preserve that place, now that I thought about it. Once we returned, people who had stayed behind tried to resist our entrance and defended the castle. For a second, they'd given the impression to win; their rage was grazing my skin, my body shivering. After almost around one hour of fighting, they surrendered. I wanted to see Valten's reaction but Gwendal,with his high strong silhouette, keeping him by his side, was hiding him. So many people were there; it felt like we really were preparing for a war. They opened the heavy doors, and the people who had attacked us finally revealed how little they were. Less than 50 fellows, perhaps. Their haggard gazes were scanning our army and soon, despair, dread and incomprehension merged with their earlier wrath. " How is it possible?", " They lost?" were among the few exclamations we heard.
Shin Makoku soldiers obliged them to make a kind of queue in the castle's court, as they were all under arrest. They showed as fierce, proud people; but they nonetheless obeyed in silence, not protesting. I cringed when I saw that their wrists together were tied but Conrad told me it was safer this way. Thanks to Yozak who had copied the plan of the castle, my advisers found where to keep them until we properly investigate. Valten had cried, I could see it. His eyes were puffy and red, his face pale, his lips almost uncoloured. Despite his sad expression, he was now much calmer and composed. He remained impassive, even when, hands fastened tightly with a rope, Gunter led him to a room where my teacher knew there was no magic.
For a moment, we allowed ourselves to rest in bedrooms. A table was set in the dining-room for a big lunch. Soldiers found rooms to get for the time being. We didn't know how long we'd stay here, but I was eager to give an end to all this crap. For the first time, before I went to sleep a little, I could "visit" his castle. The decoration made me think of a XV th castle, "pre-Renaissance". It was yet a rich but sober style. Both Wolfram and I brought a sleepy Greta to our bedroom, and put her down on the bed. Shortly after, she was asleep.
" Yuuri, how have you been?" Wolfram inquired as we sat down on a couch. I felt my eyelids heavy and then, rested my head on his shoulder. He wrapped me with one arm.
" I'm tired, stressed...but also very much relieved. Seeing all of you here, safe and strong, comforts me. I'm no longer alone."
" You aren't. Everything is going to be fine, I swear. I won't let anyone hurt you any more. And Greta either. We'll protect both of you," he kissed my hair. " My wimp."
" Thank you, Wolfram, for being here. When you're here, I always feel we're going to find a solution."
To my slight astonishment, Wolfram kept quiet, his breath the only thing reaching my ear. I raised my eyes to him and found him pensive. " What's going on, Wolfram? Something wrong?" I reached out a hand to make him look at me. He was calm, quiet. His beautiful green eyes still shone, but with a restrained worry.
" I nearly lost you, Yuuri, by my own fault. I almost had you killed. I'm sorry. I promise to do better next time."
I stared at him, frowning.
" What are you talking about? Of course, you didn't lose me or risk my life. I'm fine, Wolf; so stop blaming yourself." I think I'm starting to know how he's. If my life is at stake, he's going to self-loathing for faulting, for failing. I didn't like this way of thinking and I want him to know that. " Wolf, you won't always be there to protect me. I have to manage to protect myself on my own. Even if...having all of you is good as well."
He smiled, eventually. He's really solar when he does so. However much I could tell him these beautiful words, I know deep inside I can't really be alone now. He's there, and had found a way to stay. I could no longer erase him from my life. I took his hand and we started to touch each other's fingertips.
" You know what's so funny?" I asked, letting a weak chuckle out at the same time. He shook his head.
" No, what is it?"
" Thinking about our past and how we used to despise each other."
His laugh was similar to a heavenly bell sound.
" I guess everything...changes."
" I do, too."
I cupped his face with my hand and pulled him forward. Our lips touched and stayed sealed for a moment. It was a pure tranquillizer. The kiss deepened when I asked for entrance; I longed for a "real" kiss. Wolfram is a good kisser; it amazed me every time we cuddled each other. We broke our contact and gazed at each other, smiling.
" It's good," I said. He nodded. When a couple of seconds passed, we heard:
" Your majesty," from behind the door. "Yes?" I turned around when the door opened. Conrad gave a smile to his brother and me when he saw us together. He glanced at Greta then looked at me:
" Diner is almost ready. But before, I have to tell you that Valten wants to see you and talk to you."
Me and Wolf shared a look.
xx
He was sitting on the floor, his hands still roped. His gaze seemed blank, as though he was zoning. His "unusual" attitude added to the cheerless, sorrowful atmosphere of the room. But, in spite of his stillness, he was well awake for when I stepped into the room, he lifted his face.
His face hardened when he saw who was with me:
" What is he doing HERE?" he barked, "I asked for talking to you alone!"
He was glaring at Wolfram. Wolf crossed his arms, his eyes cold.
" He will no longer be alone with you. Finding out you have used magic to neutralize Yuuri is enough for us to watch over you."
Really? I gave Wolfram a very surprised look; had my enemies used magic to prevent my power from manifesting? That would explain why I couldn't transform into the Maou. Valten had a wicked smile.
" Aha aha..." he feebly shook his head, his blond locks entangled like a mess. " I couldn't play with my life knowing I would capture the most powerful man of the world. Do you think I'm that crazy?"
" Yes you are," Wolfram replied in a stern fashion, sitting down on a near chair. " And you better behave now. Learning what you tried to do to Yuuri just convinced me how stupid you are. Increase my anger with insults or other sexual harassment and you'll have no balls any more. Understood?"
I stared at Wolfram in shock. But he was cold, firm and his words meant irreversibility. I drifted my gaze towards Valten. He looked stunned but his calmness came back.
" Fine. Yuuri."
I strode towards him but kept a safe distance.
" I didn't want things to turn out that way...but why did you betray me, Yuuri? I put all my trust in you."
I don't know if he was mocking me; but his face expressed no other emotion than curiosity. Incomprehension and reproach, too. His eyebrows were forming a frown that oddly, aged him. The mystery that had surrounded that young man from the first time I set my eyes on him got thicker like mist on chilly days. Nothing would really reveal what he was unless he wanted it. " I don't understand," I answered. "you wanted me to help you to build something new, but it was at a high cost. You wanted me to deny my friends, you didn't even tell me what would happen to them if you succeeded in annihilating my throne. You have a deep hatred towards mazoku people and it doesn't seem like it's going to change. How can I trust someone with such feelings and conviction then?"
He remained silent, peering into my eyes.
" In any case," I went on, staring at him " I'm sorry, but you'll probably be sent in jail after your trial, under constant watch. After everything you've done, I can't let you go. You're too dangerous. But to comfort you, I'll allow you to have a nice bedroom. You won't be ill treated. Your food will be good, and you'll get visits." I paused, inspecting his reaction. His expression was barely softened; his stare could still freeze you. However much I waited for a vocal answer, he gave none. " I'm sorry things went so badly and that we were unable to work together. Some of your ideas were not bad, and I'll think about them. But unfortunately, using violence and terror to get what you want wasn't the right decision to take. I can't stand that. I hope you'll understand someday."
For an instant, I thought he was going to laugh, but he gave a slight snicker and a eye-rolling. Then, he straightened a bit against the wall, looking as if the ropes retaining his gestures didn't bother him. Valten's face took on a very cold gloomy expression and he pointed his chin a second towards Wolf:
" You... really love him?"
I frowned then looked over my shoulder. Still sitting, Wolfram was staring at the other blond in the same stern fashion. Then, I looked back at Valten:
" ...I do."
I flinched at my own confession and refused to glance at Wolfram. No matter how he must look at that moment, I knew I had taken him aback; for I heard him squirming on his chair. Valten's facial expression darkened, like he was withdrawing himself into the shadows, his skin cadaverously pale.
" Is there something else you want to say?" I asked.
" Nothing," his deep, haunting voice sort of resonating in that stone-walls bedroom. One could not be bleaker than that. " I want to be alone, please."
The request kind of startled me but I nodded.
" If you need something, ask for it."
I turned towards Wolfram who was standing up. I gave a smile then headed towards the door, Wolf trailing up behind me.
" There'll be fire everywhere. Everywhere. I hope you'll find a nice shelter, Yuuri. "
Valten's voice gave me goosebumps. I stole a peek at him, but he was almost entirely hidden in the darkness of the room, his white feet only sticking out. As though I was facing some kind of ghostly vision, I quickly tore my eyes away and strolled out, my heart all of a sudden racing. Wolfram followed and as he took my hand, noticed that shivers were running my body.
" He scared you, right? He's like a bad spirit, Yuuri, I could feel it." He chanced a glance at Valten's bedroom's door behind us as he said that, and added: " I don't think he's alive."
TBC
The next chapter will probably have more Yuuri-Wolfram moments.