Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I haven't been able to but KKM! Since my last update so I still don't own KKM!
Author Notes: I am not in a very good mood. My one story (KKM! Chat Room) got deleted without any warning. I would have been grateful to at least get a small warning before they decide to delete my story. I decided not to continue it since I am unable to find where I have saved all the chapters. Anyway enough of depressing news! This chapter is a small but hopefully satisfactory at least until, the next update. Read and Review!
Chapter 6: Explorations (Normal P.O.V)
Everyone was glad that the ball was finally over. The maids were happy as they didn't have to tidy up the ballroom anymore. Gwendal- being anti-social as he is- would've rejoiced if he was any less stoic. Even Yuri was happy. His feet had started to ache from all the dancing. Not to mention the over whelming guilt that had weighed on his heart.
He hadn't talked to wolfram for the past three days. The blonde was avoiding Yuri as much as he could. Seeing Wolfram unhappy made Yuri feel bad. And he still hadn't found anyone. All the females he had danced with were beautiful but they all lacked something.
Passion.
They agreed with whatever Yuri talked about without any hesitations. It reminded Yuri of the mindless dummies he used to see on TV who couldn't think by themselves.
The truth was that he himself didn't know what he was searching for. The only thing he knew was that it should be female. Love was really blind.
The shrine went about with their usual activities. Murata, the Great Sage, stood in the Oracle Room as Shinou sat lazily on one of the boxes. He had retained his original size for the time being.
"Good thing Shibuya didn't choose anyone. The glass slipper will only fit Lord von Bielefeld." Murata commented.
Shinou didn't understand the Cinderella reference. "Glass slipper?" He asked confused. "But my descendent wear boots not slippers. And how can anyone wear a glass slipper?"
Murata just laughed. "It is a story on Earth. You won't understand." Shinou looked miffed.
"Of course I can understand. I am the Great One after all." He proclaimed, in a seemingly majestic voice.
But Murata remained unimpressed. "Great One? Even though you are 4000 years old you act like a 50 year old child." Murata tilted his head. He was one of the only people who could insult Shinou and get away with it unharmed.
With an icy glare towards his Great Sage Shinou turned his head away. "One gets tired of acting like an adult all the time. So I act like a child. Don't act like you don't do it." Shinou turned back to face Murata, an arrogant smirk lighting up his face.
In all his years of living, Murata had learnt how to control his emotions. But one particular person could always rile him up without any effort. Irritation flashing on his face, Murata snapped, "At least I do it for a reason. I have actually lived those 4000 years." Murata hadn't meant to sound so bitter. But he wasn't happy to be reborn every time he died that too with complete memories of his previous life. It was painful. Especially when he knew that the person he was doing it for was trapped.
Shinou was taken aback. His Sage had never been so bitter but it was understandable. Reborn every time with a new identity. A sense of longing when remembering the people you lived in the previous life. A never ending vicious cycle.
But before he could say anything, the door opened revealing the Head Shrine Maiden. She blinked at the scene before her. No one's expression gave away anything but the tension was so thick that it could be cut with a plastic knife.
"Is everything alright?" Ulrike asked warily. She didn't enter the room in the fear that she would be suffocated with the tension in the air.
"Yeah yeah." Murata waved his hand. "Come on in. We were just discussing about Shibuya. Murata made an abrupt return to his usual cherry tune as the tension dissipated a bit.
Ulrike nodded and entered the room, noting the king displeased face at the change in Murata demeanor.
"Everything's set?" Murata asked Ulrike. She nodded.
"Miko Shibuya is at the Castle right now." She informed them. Identical grins lit up on the pranksters faces as the previous argument was forgotten.
"Now to sit back and watch everything unfold." Shinou rubbed his hands together looking very much like an evil villain plotting the demise of the hero.
Or maybe just a bored king trying to have some fun by interfering in the lives if the Ex- Royal Couple.
Which one of them is worse is debatable.
-Ooo0-
Meanwhile at Blood Pledge Castle, Miko Shibuya hummed as she entered the kitchen. She had been dropped off by two shrine maidens who informed the guards that she was the new 'maid'. They seemed to accept it without any hesitation.
The kitchen was bigger than the kitchen back home but it had the same warmth and comfort. The four maids sitting on chairs around a big table stood up in surprise.
Miko smiled and introduced herself, "I'm Miko, the new maid." The maids sighed. They thought that some noble had entered the kitchen. They would be in real trouble if anyone saw them lounging about doing nothing.
"I did not hear anything about a new maid." The maid wearing glasses commented confused. The other three maids nodded in union.
"It was decided yesterday. I was looking for a job and the ever so kind Ke- Great Sage helped me." She had almost slipped again. She had gotten so used at calling Murata Ken-Chan that she had a hard time adjusting to his new title. The Great Sage.
But now that she thought about it, it did suit him. Even though he always appeared to be cheery there was an underlying seriousness about him. She focused her attention back on the maids who were still looking at her curiously. She flashed a bright smile. "Can you please show me around the castle?" She asked.
The maids glanced at each other. They did not know what to make of this woman. She was young and seemed good natured. Not to mention she was human. Sangria shrugged and stepped forward. "Sure. I am Sangria. This is Effe, Doria and Lasana." She introduced everyone.
"This castle is very huge so it will take a few weeks until you learn your way around."
Miko nodded and followed Sangria out of the kitchen. She was going to work- and stay- in a real castles. Just like in fairytales.
-OooO-
Wolfram von Bielefeld had a headache. A big one. Literally as well as figuratively. As he rubbed his forehead a though suddenly popped in his mind. Was he turning into Gwendal? Wrinkly, grumpy and always having headaches? Making a mental note to check in the mirror for any wrinkles. He knocked on the large wooden door.
"Come in." A voice called from inside. Taking a deep breath, he entered the room. Shades of all kind of pink assaulted his eyes. He blinked a few times. It had been a long time since he had come to his mothers' room.
He looked at Celi who was sitting on a plushy chair, reading a book. Even though it was early in the morning, she was dressed to perfection in her usual black gown.
She smiled at her son. "Good morning Wolfie. What brings you here so early in the morning?" She kept her book down on the nearby table as she gestured at another seat in front of her.
The big queen sized bed took up the centre of the room while there was a huge mirror side of it. As he passed it, Wolfram glanced at his reflection. He couldn't spot any wrinkles but he did have dark circles under his eyes.
Frowning, he sat on the plushy chair opposite his mother. Folding his hands across his chest, he glared at her. "I wanted to talk about the lady at the ball yesterday." He declared.
"What about her? She is a nice lady but don't you think it will be weird if her sons are elder than their father?" Celi asked mischievous smirk lighting up her face.
Wolfram looked completely confused. It took him full two minutes for him to understand what Celi was implying. He stood up and spluttered indignantly."I-I don't want to- to marry her!"
Celi let out a laugh and continued to laugh until tears streamed down her face. Wolfram looked too adorable when he was flustered. "Sit down Wolfie. I was just pulling your leg." She said a bit breathlessly as she tried to regain her composure.
He pouted but sat down.
"What do you want to talk about?" She asked when she finally managed to control her laughter even though the wide smile never left her face.
"What are you two up to? She came up to me and said that I have a plan to bring you and his majesty back together and like a fool I agreed. I must've been drunk or something." Wolfram burst out.
"You weren't drunk. Just too proud to admit defeat." Celi corrected.
This didn't help Wolframs temper. He glared at her until she gave him a stern look. "Don't look at me like that. I am your mother and I will not accept it." She admonished. For a moment, he looked taken aback but bowed his head and apologized quietly. It wasn't often that his mother used that tone with anyone.
Celi smiled and nodded. "That's better. And about Miko-san she is just trying to help you. She too has two sons of her own so she understands." Celi's gaze fixed on Wolfram. "And you will cooperate with whatever she says." It wasn't a request, it was an order.
Wolfram looked like he was about to protest but he was cut off by Celi."I might've not been there for you, Gwendal and Conrart always but you three are my sons and I love you more than anyone. It means that I want to see you happy."
Wolfram was speechless. His mother had never said such things with such seriousness to any one of them before. It was always in a playful way that she told them that she loved them. Looking at her serious expression, he knew that she meant whatever she said. So, for her sake, he would accept it. He sighed and nodded.
"Fine. But I won't stand it if it dishonors me in any way."
Celi squealed and jumped out of her chair to hug Wolfram. "Thank you Wolfie! You have no idea how much this means to me."
Wolfram was slowly turning blue from the deadly bosom hug. "M-mother…. P-please…" Celi released him and he took deep breaths. He immediately regretted it when strong whiffs of perfume were inhaled along with precious oxygen.
Wrinkling his nose, he managed a small smile at his mother as he hurried out.
Celi just smiled sadly as she picked up her book and settled back into her chair. Her sons might never realize- or accept- it but she loved them more than she had loved anyone else before including herself.
-OooO-
Miko was gushing over everything they passed. Let it be suits of armor or courtyards fountains; everything seemed to fascinate her. Sangria, who was normally energetic, was finding it hard to keep up with the bubbly Miko. But she too was enjoying herself.
Miko was a naturally happy person and she had that kind of aura that made the people around her impossible to feel sad. Miko gestured towards the training grounds where the soldiers trained. "They are all so strong." Sangria nodded her head as she kept herself immersed in her thoughts. Not that she looked more deeply; Miko was a bit like his majesty in her cheerfulness and optimism. Not to mention her smile.
But there was no way she could be related to his majesty. They were from totally different worlds after all. But she was interrupted from further musings when she spotted a familiar figure coming towards them.
"That's Conrart-san right?" Miko asked. Sangria turned to stare at her companion. Just as she was wondering how Miko could know who he was let alone address him so informally, he reached them.
"Good morning." His smile was usual gentle and made Sangria blush as she bowed and replied, "Good morning." Even Miko followed her.
"Can I speak with you personally?" Conrart asked Miko. Sangria looked between both of them, utterly confused. She got the feeling that they both knew each other already.
Miko blinked but then smiled. "Sure." She turned to Sangria who was still open-mouthed. "I will see you later." She waved and followed Conrart.
Sangria just stared after them until their figures disappeared around the bend. Blinking, she recovered rapidly. Now was not the time to stand here. She had to go and tell the other maids about the scene she had witnessed.
Love lottery was going to have a new addition.
Conrart meanwhile had led Miko to a deserted corridor. Turning around to face her he dropped his smile.
"We have met somewhere before." It was more of a declaration than a question. Miko debated with herself whether to tell him or let him figure out himself. She decided to drag it on for some more time.
"How can you be so sure? You might have met many people in your life time." She countered.
"I am sure that I have met you somewhere. And it wasn't at the ball." Conrart narrowed his eyes as he tried to remember where he had seen her before.
Miko kept her innocent expression on her face. She wanted to see if he would recognize her.
His eyes widened. "Wait a minute. You are- you are…" He seemed unable to go on. Miko grinned. He had recognized her after all. She didn't really mind. He would be more cooperative if he knew who she was.
"You are the lady that almost tricked Yozak into a fake marriage." Conrart voice had a dangerous edge to it. Miko lost her smile.
"What?" She asked utterly bewildered.
"Yes, I recognize you. It was 15 years ago but I remember how you got him drunk and was about to make him marry you." His glare was sharp. "Luckily I arrived just in time to save him. What are you here for? Are you using Yuri and Wolfram as a cover for snaring him again?"
Miko just blinked with the absurdity of it all. She looked at Conrart and started laughing.
"I think you are completely mistaken." She tried to explain. "I don't know any one named Yozak let alone trying to marry him. And I was already happily married- still am- so I doubt I would try to trick anyone into marrying me." She managed to control her laughter long enough to glance at Conrart's quickly reddening face.
"I am truly sorry. It's just that the incident makes me feel angry….." he trailed off before shutting his mouth making Miko wonder who in the world is Yozak.
She smiled at him. "It's no problem." He froze looking at her.
"You are Miko Shibuya. Yuri's mother." He whispered still staring at her. Miko frowned. Just a minute ago he was accusing her to be a manipulative man stealer and now he had recognized her without difficulty?
"Glad to see you recognized me."
He just smiled reminiscently. "Your smile is exactly like Yuri's." It was the only thing that helped him recognize her.
Miko just shook her head. "And to think that you would recognize me with my smile of all the things. Oh well! At least you recognized me." Conrart seemed more relaxed then he was before.
But before he could ask her more about how she had reached here, a soldier spotted them and came running over.
"Your Excellency, we have a small problem." He saluted smartly. Conrart glanced at Miko before nodding at the soldier and following him. Miko just shrugged and started walking in the opposite way.
Now to find her way back to the kitchen. She had some gossiping to do.
Author Notes: Over! I know it isn't a long chapter but I wasn't too happy that my story getting deleted and not to mention the lack of time. I might get the next chapter up by next month. Hopefully. Read and review! Thanks!
Next Chapter Sneak Peek:
Emerald clashed with Onyx. Even though there was a lot of space between them, their eyes automatically met like they were opposite poles of a magnet.
It was the first time Yuri had seen Wolfram properly after breaking the engagement. He looked almost the same, if not a bit tired. But for some unknown reason, Yuri's heart filled with happiness when he saw that Wolfram was making no move to run away again. Wolfram was striding purposefully towards him.
Or so Yuri thought.
Wolfram passed him without even a glance in his direction and Yuri felt like he was being suffocated. "Wolfram!" He called out in hopes of gaining the Mazuko's attention.