Author's Notes: A much longer chapter this time. Thank you for all the reviews. I hope you keep enjoying this fic.
Chapter 5
--Yuuri--
Really, I had no idea why I put up with him. Sure, he was pretty. And devoted. And smart. And a good father. And gorgeous. And strong. And determined. And honest. And kind in a blunt sort of way. With honey-colored hair, but that didn't matter. Blue or green or brown would have been fine with me. He had the face of an angel, but I didn't need to have that to be in heaven. His eyes reminded me of the bottom of a lake. Which made me feel like I was drowning when I stare into them too long.
Wolfram von Bielefeld, what am I going to do with you?
We were sitting in Gwendal's study facing his desk as the man shadow-knitted with his fingers. He looked like he was about to have an aneurysm.
Wolfram and I decided (after a long argument that lasted practically all night) that: one, we would not go back to Earth until the matter of the engagement was settled; two, we would not tell anyone of our problem except for Gwendal; which meant, three, Wolfram would be attending the council. This, of course, meant that I would not have any say on my future. Not that I would have known what to do if I were to be the one in the hot seat. And it wasn't as if I had any say in my future in the first place. Others seemed to have already been planning it long before I was even born. I was just along for the ride.
At the very least, Wolfram was the one person I trusted without reservation. He was too much of a straight pitcher to plot underhanded tricks.
"Tell me again," Gwendal grunted, "His Majesty is not completely in Wolfram's body?"
"He left his perverted part," Wolfram said.
"I do not have a perverted part," I yelled.
"I must agree with His Majesty, Wolfram. I cannot picture him..." Gwendal gave out a long suffering sigh, "you must understand, he's too..."
"Wimpy?!"
"Yes-no... Dammit!" Gwendal exclaimed as he slammed his fist on the desk. "Where is that drink I asked for? Where is Conrart at a time like this?"
"You sent him to the border."
"Grrrrr...." the man actually growled. Like a tiger. I wondered if they had tigers here.
"Yuuri, I don't think he really wanted an answer," Wolfram whispered.
"Fine, let's just agree I don't have a perverted part," I said, "can we move on?"
"You do have a perverted part. He's been keeping me company all day. And. All. Night."
"Hah! Like you don't have any. Apparently, you left your perverted parts along with your Maryoku in this body. You kept me up all night with all those dirty dreams you've been having."
"Are you sure those aren't yours? I think all your personalities are perverted. Did you know what the Maou was doing to me last night? Well he was xxxx my xxxx and then he xxxxx and made me xxxxx..."
I had my hand on my ears so I didn't hear what Wolfram actually said. Though I could imagine all too clearly.
We both jumped when the ground started rumbling. Oh yeah, Gwendal was still here.
"I really don't care nor need to hear what goes on in your bedroom," he yelled at the top of his voice. "You," he pointed at his brother who was still in my body, "have to meet with the council in five minutes. I wish you had told me this sooner and we could have postponed the conference. But it's too late now."
Why do reasonable plans always come too late?, I thought to myself.
Gwendal stood up and closed his eyes. "I am going to go get a drink and you had better not be late. You," he pointed at me, "stay here."
I half-expected the door to break off its hinges the way he slammed it. I looked at Wolfram who was now wearing a look that scared me. No, it wasn't the violent 'I am going to pound you into the ground' look. It was a thoughtful look. The one that usually preceded a painting session or a wedding talk session or any Wolfram-ish non-Yuuri-ish activity session.
"What do you want?" he asked in a tone I couldn't quite put down to one emotion. It sounded a little egotistical, a little frustrated, a little scared, a little too nonchalant.
"Um... nothing?" I answered tentatively. I wasn't sure what this mood was and even if I was in his body, I didn't think that would stop him from rewarding me with some punishment. His face (which was mine) didn't carry the same fear-enducing intensity his angelic shojo-manga-style beauty usually carried, but he certainly made my average face look more fearsome than I could ever. Then it hit me, "Oh, you mean the engagement."
He didn't answer. Was he giving me a way out? The Wolfram whose entire life had suddenly revolved around me since that infamous slap? The Wolfram who went across the world against his brother's orders just to look for me? The Wolfram that had inserted himself in all various aspects of my life: sneaking into my bed, taking the role of father with my adopted daughter, ingratiating himself with my family, always bathing with me, throwing himself between me and danger? The Wolfram who braved seasickness just to be by my side? The Wolfram who went to Houryoku-steeped human territories even if it made him weak just to save me? Obsessive, possessive Wolfram. I was stunned. I couldn't say anything.
"Wimp," he muttered. He stood up and left, closing the door softly behind him. I sat there and stared at that door for a very long time.
I was still staring at it when Josak opened it.
"Your Excellency Wolfram," he said as he walked in, "I suppose council already started."
I nodded. He closed the door and gave me an appraising look. He couldn't possibly know that I was not Wolfram, could he? When he spoke up, I realized his mind was on something else.
"We just received a message from the Captain," he said as he handed me the letter.
It was short and written in haste. It made my heart freeze. I stood up abruptly knocking the chair which tumbled on its side. I flew out of the room and through the corridors. Josak must have understood what I wanted; I did not issue any orders yet it was only a few minutes later that Wolfram's personal guards were at the gate waiting for their commander. I was thankful to see that a platoon of regular soldiers accompanied us. I didn't know what to do with Wolfram's men, but at least I knew Josak would command the others.
The spy rode beside me as he briefed me about the hasty preparations. As soon as he finished, we broke into a gallop. If he thought it strange that I was riding Ao, he didn't mention it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
--Wolfram--
When Uncle Waltorana informed me of the decision to make me the 28th Maou, I took it upon myself to test the infamous rotating chair, the one created to counter my mother's habit of facing only the handsome members of the council. I would prefer to state that it helped, but after being spun around multiple times and the greetings weren't yet completed, I was ready to vomit. It was worse than being on a boat.
The council was really only a formality. At least that was what I told myself. They had elected me previously as Maou, I had no doubt that I would pass with flying colors when it came time to approve me as the Royal Consort. However, the preparations I had made were for when they questioned me, Wolfram von Bielefeld, not when they questioned Yuuri. How was I to know that I would be sitting in Yuuri's place answering for him. And doing all that without causing any suspicion.
"Has thou forgotten about me?" the deep voice of the Maou echoed in my head.
How could I. He pursued me all night. I would have given up since Greta had decided to sleep in her bedroom. But I had my pride. When I do join with Yuuri, it wouldn't just be with one part of him, but with all of him, every single mote of his being from the terrifying Maou to all the wimpy bits.
I'm trying to concentrate here. This is not the time and place for... you know.
"Trust me," was his only reply.
Will you give me a choice?
The only answer was a subtle change, but I knew I no longer had control of Yuuri's body. I was relegated to being part of the audience. I hated not being in control.
"The questions are for me after all," he said after a while. I didn't know whether he was trying to mollify me. Either way, my irritation subsided.
"I proposed because he is beautiful," the Maou said out loud to the council. I hadn't realized the questioning had started already.
What?!! You only care for my face?
"To say such a thing is a grave injustice to me," he answered.
"B-but Your Majesty," Günter prompted, "surely you felt the proud nobility running in Lord Wolfram von Bielefeld's veins..."
"No, quite the contrary, he angered me with his rudeness," the Maou interrupted. "Noble would not be what I would describe him at the time of my proposal. I wanted to hurt him. But he has a beautiful face so instead of punching him, I slapped him."
I knew this, of course, but hearing it stated so plainly, I couldn't begin to describe the pain that shot through my heart. I was glad I was a mere disembodied mind with no control over a body because trying to stop tears from falling was irritating. No. I would not have cried. I would not cry for this. I should be angry. I was angry. No. I was furious. I...
A feeling outside myself washed over me and the anger was gone. Slowly, the sadness faded and the pain became a memory. It was a warm feeling of care, of being embraced from within. No arms surrounded me, but I felt I had arrived after a long journey. He did not need to say the words. And he didn't.
I trust you, I said to him.
I felt him cheer and his lighthearted joy filled me.
The chair turned and we faced Stoffel.
"Are you saying, Your Majesty, that the proposal was an accident? And that you did not mean to engage yourself to Wolfram?"
"Yes."
The gasps around the room were not unexpected. This was supposed to be a formality where Yuuri praised me to high heaven and swore his undying love. How was the council supposed to endorse a fiancé gained by accident?
The chair turned to face Lady von Rochefort.
"Why did you not end the engagement immediately?"
Then it was Uncle Waltorana.
"Do you take Wolfram so lightly?"
Then Lord von Gyllenhaal, "No matter how little you knew of our rules at the time, surely, you didn't think anyone would force you onto an unwanted marriage."
Then it was Lord von Radford, "And still, you must take responsibility for such acts."
Then Lord von Karbelnikoff, "What has Wolfram said of this? Does he know you don't feel..."
Back to Lady von Rochefort, "Feelings are beside the point. There is a strategic alliance at stake here. His Majesty's alignment with Bielefeld has provided some sort of stability for the people of Shin Makoku."
Back to Uncle Waltorana, "You should all know by now that Wolfram will fulfill his obligations no matter what."
Then to Gwendal, "I appreciate everyone's curiosity, but we should give His Majesty a chance to answer your questions."
Thank you, Elder Brother. I thought I was going to pass out from dizziness.
"Thank you, Lord von Voltaire," the Maou stated. "Why did I not end the engagement immediately? I did not want to anger Wolfram. Do I take him lightly? No. Did I think anyone would force me into an unwanted marriage? No. Will I take responsibility for my actions? Yes. Does Wolfram know how I feel? Yes. How does he feel about this? He loves me. As for alliances, my engagement and eventual marriage will have the least bearing on the kingdom's stability. And yes, Lord von Bielefeld, I expect Wolfram to fulfill his obligations to me just as he expects that I will fulfill my obligations to him. And to add my own point, whether or not this council agrees, I will marry Wolfram."
Gwendal spoke, "Before anyone asks any more questions, We will now be calling for Wolfram. The council will deliberate while we wait. Your Majesty, you can take a break to settle your stomach."
The Maou had given control back to me and I stood up as soon as I was released from the chair. A guard had been called and was ordered to fetch Yuuri. But instead of turning around, the guard stated, "Your Excellency, Lord Wolfram left to assist Lord Conrart."
"What?!!" Gwendal and I both shouted at the same time. But instead of questioning the guard like Gwendal, I leaped over the nearest arc on the circular table and ran as fast as I could to the stables.
Conrart, always it is Conrart.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
--Yuuri--
The scene before our eyes should have triggered the Maou in me. The ground was soaked with blood, the village was half-burned. Thankfully, the fires had been put out and our forces had been able to pull the fighting away towards the fields. There were bodies everywhere I turned. Soldiers and civilians. Friend and foe.
Josak grabbed my reins before I could head towards the fields.
"Your Excellency Wolfram," he said, "give me a few seconds."
Though I was impatient to get moving, I waited as he issued several orders. Most of the platoon rode towards the battle in haste while the rest rode outwards from our position in the opposite direction. The rest made their way towards the village. Finally, he addressed Wolfram's guards, "Gentlemen, remember your first priority." I felt great relief when he finally released Ao.
Whatever crops the villagers had carefully tended had all been destroyed by the fierceness of the battle. The clash of metal on metal rang loudly in my head. Worse were the explosions that punctuated the battle cries and blood-curdling screams.
Why? Tears were streaming down my face. I had never felt so frustrated in my entire life. Had I depended on the Maou too much to fix these problems?
Before I knew it, I was chanting under my breath. But before I could finish and feel the elements of fire gather in my hand, Josak grabbed my arm.
"Your Majesty," he whispered harshly, "I am not a Maryoku user, but even I understand the danger. All the elements can be used to destroy, but fire is the most destructive. You have no control of Wolfram's powers. It is best that you make use of those who can wield it."
I stared dumbfounded at him.
"I understand how you feel," he said, "but you would be useless to us dead."
"Where is Conrad?"
The glance was brief, I would have missed it if I had not been watching him so closely.
"It is best if you stayed back, Wolfram's guards will protect you with their lives."
He swore at my back loudly when Ao broke into a gallop towards the area with the heaviest action. I felt him before I saw him.
It was insanity to have ridden in the middle of that chaos. It was with a strange detachment that I noted the attempts at my life deflected by Josak and Wolfram's men. I heard Josak yell at one of them, "You, water user, keep your eyes completely on him. If you look anywhere else even for one second, I will flay your perfect skin. And I don't care what noble family you're from."
Then I saw him. They were fighting in an area devoid of other soldiers as if everyone automatically gave berth to the fierce combat between the two. He had a big gash on his left side and I could see blood flowing freely. He was still holding his own, but I saw the evil grin of triumph on his opponent's face. The fire elements surrounded my body while Ao picked her way carefully through the rubble of broken bodies.
"Douse him," I heard Josak yell, "keep doing it!"
Then he was in front of me and I was wet. His horse and body briefly covered the vision of Conrad and his opponent and fire surrounded me again. And, again, water poured over me. Josak did not even stop his horse when he jumped off.
It was like watching a movie in slow motion. I saw Josak's body move in an arc in the air and land gracefully on its feet. I reined in Ao and knew Wolfram's men spread out in a circle around me. I saw Conrad drop his sword and his opponent's face register grim satisfaction as his sword swung down. I screamed and my body burst in flames. Then I saw Conrad's terrifying face reflect that same evil grin that the other man wore earlier.
No.
This was not Conrad.
No.
Conrad's body moved with blinding speed and next thing I saw was blood spurting from the opponent's neck.
No.
The scene sped up and everything seemed to blur as the skies darkened and rain pelted down from the heavens. The ground rumbled and lightning struck in several places. Everyone stopped and we all looked at the dark shadowy figure with red eyes hovering above us.
"I do not take the lives of men, but you have left me no choice," the deep voice said exactly what I wanted to say except in words taken out of a Japanese historical drama.
It is strange to watch yourself outside yourself. It's like listening to yourself in a recording. You know you said the words, but it almost sounds like a stranger because you're not used to listening to yourself from outside your head. The voice sound a little off. Perhaps you don't recognize that little strange accent you have or that particular way you sound your R's.
And all too quickly, it was over. I never really tried, did I? Trouble comes, then boom, apply a little bit of Maou ex-Machina and voila, problem fixed. Was this all that Shibuya Yuuri Harajuku Fuuri really amounted to? I saw Wolfram's figure crumple after the Maou left and Gwendal caught his brother before he hit the ground. I turned to look for Conrad.
He was leaning on Josak and bleeding all over his friend. I smiled despite the carnage, despite the horror, despite the sadness, despite all the terrible things I couldn't control. Because if I didn't smile, I was sure I was going to break.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing here?" my name-giver asked. "Where's Wolfram?"
"Conrad, you're alive," I managed to get out as he let go of Josak and grabbed me in a tight hug.
"Captain, I don't think Wolfram would appreciate you bleeding all over his uniform," Josak commented dryly.
Conrad loosened the embrace though he still had his hands on my shoulder, he turned to Josak who forced a mischievous smile, and then he fainted. Fortunately, Josak caught him before he hit the ground.
"I know my face makes grown men swoon, but you didn't have to do it literally Captain." The light words could not belie the worry in his voice.
I could have cried but I didn't. Instead I kept my smile on as Josak picked Conrart up.
I still had that stupid bitter smile on my face when I finally faced my fiancé. He was surrounded by the Ten Nobles and I felt too numb to wonder what they were doing here. Though I did find it amusing in a morbid sort of fascination that they didn't look as immaculate as they normally did.
Angering the blond bishonen when I wasn't at fault caused untold amounts of physical pain. The guilt that comes when it was my fault was even worse. However, this time, I could only laugh at his face. Because he was wearing mine. I should fear him because this was still Wolfram and even worse, he had the Maou's powers.
"What the hell were you thinking?" he yelled as he shook me. "How am I suppose to protect you when you go running off behind my back. And this has to be the worst time. You don't have control over my powers and the Maou isn't with you."
"But it did work, didn't it, Wolf?" I said laughing and choking at the same time. "You brought him, didn't you? And now everything is fixed, isn't it?"
Tears were streaming down my cheeks and on his shoulder because he was holding on to me tightly.
"What's wrong, Wolf?" I asked, "Conrad, he's going to be fine, isn't he?"
I felt his body stiffened and he released me from his comfortable embrace. Looking at my own average face, I realized something.
"This... this was your... Wolfram, this was your mission." I was horrified. I grabbed his collar and brought his face close to mine, "you didn't tell me this was going to be dangerous."
That statement must have opened the floodgates of his fury. He grabbed me by my collar and brought our faces even closer. We were as close to each other as possible without kissing.
"You..." his face twisted in anger, "what do you think soldiers do? Of course, it was dangerous. All missions are. I'm a soldier and you'd better get used to that idea fast. We're all soldiers. Do you think the title 'Lord' is just for show? Do you think we use it to make ourselves look bigger. No! There is a responsibility that comes with that. We're all, each and every single one of us," he nodded his head towards the Ten Nobles and I realized they looked a little ragged because they had been fighting, "we are trained to die for our country. One day, Yuuri, I will die for you. Cry now if you want. But you're going to need to learn to move on without me...." His voice sounded choked before he added, "...without Conrart."
He pushed me away and I backpedaled until my back hit Gwendal. I looked up at the very tall stern man.
"Your Majesty," he said, "it's good to see you're unhurt."
I could hear the relief in his voice. And if I hadn't already felt guilty for causing Wolfram to worry, then this certainly brought it home.
"You're riding in the wagon with Conrart," Wolfram declared.
"Huh?" was my eloquent reply.
Someone brought him Ao and he got up on the saddle. "I am the king," he explained, "I am supposed to ride at the front. You cannot handle my steed so you will ride with Conrart in the wagon. It will not cause any concern as the people will only think that I am worried for him. It's better than having them think their prince had suddenly become a clumsy wimp. Don't worry, I'll ride by your side until we get to the capital."
A/N: Next chapter - going back to Earth