Title: The Forgotten – Memories and Love

Chapter 16: The Taste of Jealousy

Disclaimer: don't own KKm

Written by: Lisse08

A/N this time, the update is pretty fast, ne? *wink*. Thank you for the lovely reviews.

XX Wolfram XX

They were riding on the horses, heading towards Shinou Temple. Earlier, they were informed about the return of their king and the Great Sage. Both of them went back to Earth few weeks ago without warning. They, especially Gwendal found it quite irritating at their sudden disappearance, leaving the piles of papers for him to sign and unsolved problems that would cause headache to dwell on. Nevertheless, their spirits were heightened when the news reached their ears. The timing was perfect. A welcoming party would be held in the country this afternoon. An agreement between the Jyusaken, a human territory, and Shin Makoku to be alliance was going to be signed there. Yuuri would need to be present to welcome them.

All horses came to a halt in front of the temple. Wolfram and his brothers dismounted from the horses. As he landed the solid ground, he noticed his horse was restless. Wolfram urged his brothers to go in first, in case Yuuri and Murata arrived earlier than they expected to find no one there. He tried to calm it down by doing a soothing gesture on the back of the horse. Suddenly, like a stone thrown across the calm mirrored-water, alert stepped in his heart. He stopped his movements.

"Just what proof do you have?" He slammed his hands onto the table, which startled everyone in the hall.

"You can't convince me with his ability to speak our language or the color of his hair and eyes. This is just low-life that was born and raised among the humans!"

"Wolfram, this is about his spirit, not his upbringing." Conrad said. "But if you insist on disagreeing, I'll tell you this: Heika's father was a servant, from this world, under the former Maou."

Both Yuuri and Wolfram's eyes showed sign of disbelief.

"Even so, his mother is still a human, right? She's probably just some insensitive, immoral nobody."

He heard the chair being pushed but he was sure none of his family had moved, he turned and saw the Maou had moved his hand and….

Everything shattered. Wolfram froze. He could feel the horse had calmed down to its usual self, but not him. His stomach lurched and his pulse started to race. Disbelief, fear, anger and grief filled him at the same time.

"No." His voice was barely above whisper. He reached out his hands trying to grab onto it, before the last shards dissolved.

"NO." Despair was taking over. He hands swooped through nothing. It was impossible to even get hold of the pieces of memory in his hand, let alone trying to grab it.

"NO!" He was dimly aware that his body was slanting to one side, falling and falling until a strong hands caught him from under his arms. Emerald eyes blinked and looked up. They were met with a pair of concerned brown eyes.

"Conrad…" Conrad eyes expressed shock, for it was the first time he heard his brother calling him by his first name.

However, Wolfram did not register anything. If there were any, it was the tears. He could feel presence of tears trailing down on his own cheeks. It was the only thing that brought warm to his whole body. His felt his heart stopped beating as it froze. The familiar sensation of falling through nothingness swept over him and he blacked out.

Xxxx

He woke up with a start. He could tell that it wasn't long for his conscious to return because they were still caught in the same position.

"What happened?" Wolfram did not answer his question. He tried to strengthen up but his legs gave away again under his weight. Conrad's hand that was offering to help was quickly rejected by his brother.

"Don't touch me."

"What happened?" Conrad repeated. Wolfram refused to meet his gaze. Yuuri was circling his mind.

"Why won't you just make up your mind?"

"That's not the issue. Wolfram, could we just drop that?"

"No, we can't." said Wolfram through gritted teeth. "I want an answer, today and now. I'm tired of waiting. I have given you enough time, Yuuri. But you never seem to understand my love."

"Wolfram, I'm a bit tired now… If we can just discuss this tomorrow, I will definitely give you an answer that you satisfied with."

"WIMP! YOU JUST CAN'T LOVE ME, CAN YOU?" Wolfram roared.

"Don't call me a wimp!" Yuuri retorted.

"Yuuri." Wolfram whispered. He could only see Yuuri, the Yuuri that he had known, the Yuuri who he was engaged to. Regret swept over him, deeper than ever. That was a wrong choice to make, he should never have forced Yuuri into this. If things were unchanged, even if he might still need to chase after Yuuri, at least Yuuri never said directly that he didn't like him. Or… did he? Wolfram squirmed. Did he ever say that he dislike me? Did he??

Conrad was unable to comprehend it. He called his brother's name again, wanting his attention to be caught. Alert started filling in his heart when he saw the tears rolling down on the prince's face.

"Wolfram, what's happening?"

Tears were not listening to his command again. Wolfram cursed them as he decided to let them be. They streamed down again.

"Conrad, did you believe that Yuuri and I were once engaged?" The words slipped out, it was like a stranger's voice, a voice that didn't belong to him. He saw Conrad startled.

"What do you mean?" Wolfram could no longer say anything as the growing lump in his throat threatened him; he grabbed onto Conrad's hand and cried.

"Wolfram." Conrad embraced his little brother in his arms, feeling Wolfram's body continued to tremble.

"Please believe me, Conrad. Please do…" Wolfram said in between sobs. He had been really confident enough that he would not forget how Yuuri proposed to him, which is the reason why he never bothered to jot down this detailed proposal in his diary. To be honest, he had stopped writing in it after he experienced more and more losing memories. It was not because he finished writing every little detail of their moments, but it was because he could no longer remember more than any of those that he had written. Wolfram didn't regret it what he had stopped at that time. Now, he deeply regretted it. There was no turning back, he knew he must let his brother know about it, it was too lonely to endure them all by himself. At least, he won't be alone. He doesn't want to be alone, with this precious memory gone, he knew, no matter how much he tried to think, he will never again remembered how Yuuri proposed to him.

That was how the way supposed to be, isn't it?

Wolfram felt more tears wet his brother's uniform but Conrad had pulled him closer for comfort.

'Thank you, Aniue…'

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

Yuuri emerged from the water with Murata and coughed. He was back again in Shin Makoku. It hadn't been that long since he last left, it was only about 18 hours or so, but he guessed several weeks must have passed here. He looked up and found only Gwendal awaited for his arrival. He frowned. 'Where is Wolfram and Conrad?'

After both of them dried themselves, they thanked Ulrike and Gwendal. Murata decided to come along this time instead of staying in the temple. While walking out the temple, Yuuri turned and asked the stoic man about his brothers' where about. It seemed like he did not need the answer. He was rooted to his place when the door opened to reveal the blonde and the human soldier standing closely to each other. Stunned, Wolfram had looked up at the king and his brother and hastily moved away from Conrad. Gwendal and Murata only chose this moment to make their appearances, thus missed everything.

Yuuri felt the rage churning in his stomach. He could not explain it. He gulped again when he noticed that the blonde's eyes were damped. Jealousy took the better of him. He stormed down the stairs. Ignoring Conrad and others whose eyes were fixed curiously on the back of his head, he grabbed the prince's hand. Wolfram watched in astonishment as Yuuri pulled him away from Conrad.

"Where are you going, heika?" Gwendal shouted after them.

"We will be right back!" Yuuri replied.

Wolfram applied his strength and pulled Yuuri instead towards himself, so that they both came to a halt. They were out of ear shots; there were only trees and grasses around them. Yuuri stared back at Wolfram.

"Why did you bring me here?" Wolfram asked, pulling his hand away from Yuuri.

"To have some words with you," Yuuri said.

"And it would be?" Wolfram frowned.

Yuuri stopped. He could not find anything to say. 'Yeah, why did I hurl Wolfram here for? Why? To bring him away as far as possible from Conrad? Oh my god, what am I thinking, they are brothers, BROTHERS!'

'You mean half.' Yuuri snapped his head as another voice echoed.

'Still, they are blood-related!'

'You do know something that's known as 'incest', don't you?'

'They wouldn't do something like this…' The voice was becoming less convincing.

Shaking his head, he turned and faced Wolfram.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"What are you talking about?" Wolfram mumbled and turned to study a grasshopper that was nibbling at the green grass.

"Back there… You were…" Yuuri gulped and waited for a response. None, "…crying…"

"That's nothing. I was just slightly sick. That's all. Don't worry too much." He spun around and stopped dead. His feet were rooted to the ground. He gaze fell down upon the arms that were enveloped around his shoulders, stopping him from moving away from his spot.

"Wolfram… I'm worried about you," Yuuri said, making no effort trying to remove his hands.

"Worried?" Wolfram repeated. 'Since when did you start worrying about me?'

"You don't seem so well these days." Wolfram bit down his lips. 'Which fool would feel well when they are losing their precious memories!? Idiot.'

"Tell me what's wrong…" Yuuri said as he moved closer to him. His chest touched the prince's back. Wolfram shuddered slightly. It was warmth. This was so unlike Yuuri that once knew. Even as he thought so, he didn't back away from the hug, but neither did he wished to stay that way. He raised his arms and tried to prick Yuuri's hands off.

"No, Wolf, don't push me away." The words seemed to swap away all the comfort. Wolfram's anger built up and it exploded.

"Damn it, Yuuri! I'm perfectly fine!" Using up every ounce in his strength, he pulled Yuuri away from him and strode off. Yuuri watched in shocking silence at the back of Wolfram.

'Years ago, who was the one pushing me away then?? It's you, Yuuri! It's you!!' Wolfram cursed under his breath, the tears flowing from his eyes.

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

Yuuri's mood did not seem to be any better after his encounter with the blonde. It was even worse, because of the fact that Wolfram had walked out of him before he could finish his words. He sulkily buttoned on his cape over the black garment and sheathed Morgif beside him. Looking back at the mirror, he felt something missing. Wolfram…

Wolfram was supposed to be here… Normally, he would always be here to double check on his attire before an event, ensuring that he messed nothing up. On several rare occasions, Wolfram would reach out and straightened all his clothes before letting him off. He had been so used to Wolfram's presence before all the important events that he felt kind of lonely now. 'What am I thinking about?' He slapped himself.

All the while, Murata had noticed his friend's behaviour but kept the words to himself.

Yuuri strode out from his resting chamber and headed towards the meeting place. The place was crowded with representatives and guests from all over the country. Noises seemed to press upon him, making him feel belittled and hopeless. He wished he could do something about Wolfram. People greeted him as he passed by. Yuuri tried his best to maintain his smile and returning their greetings politely. His mind was still circling around the blonde. And now that he was aware, Conrad wasn't here too… Just as he thought so, he caught a glimpse of the brunette's back disappearing through the back door together with; Yuuri's heart beat faster, Wolfram. Without thinking twice, he squeezed through the crowd and headed towards the door.

Xxxx Wolf xxxX

"It's really hard to believe it." Conrad said, looking hard at his brother. He had finished listening to the story inside. Discovering that they no longer had any privacy as more and more guests appeared, he was forced to go out from the chamber with his brother to continue their discussions.

"But it's true, you don't trust me! I shouldn't have told you." Wolfram turned away angrily.

"Wolfram, I only said it's hard to believe, but I didn't say I will not believe it." Conrad smiled gently.

"You'd better… Since you're the only one who I tell the story to," Wolfram scoffed.

"Aren't you going to tell Yuuri about it?"

"No." Wolfram face hardened. "He's the last person I will say this to." His eyes narrowed as he heard some noise behind his back. Both of them exchanged gazes and turned towards the door.

Wolfram visibly gasped while Conrad simply looked at their king.

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

Yes, he heard them.

"He's the last person I will say this to."

He heard Wolfram said this. Only this. But it was sufficed to break his heart. Back then, when they were alone, when he had dragged Wolfram out from his brothers, when he had asked him about what was wrong, he made no effort trying to tell him anything. Now, he was revealing his secrets towards his brother.

"Heika," Wolfram said.

"It will begin soon, I was wondering where you two had gone." Yuuri replied with his unmistakably cold tone. Wolfram recoiled inwardly.

"Let's move in." Conrad said, sensing the tension in the air.

They bustled back into the room. Wolfram and Conrad followed him behind wordlessly. Both of them stopped halfway, knowing that only the king and Great Sage will proceed up the stage from that point. They joined Murata, who had been waiting. Murata gave Yuuri a smile which the latter did not bother to return. Yuuri hastened his pace and reached the stage, feeling his friend walking alongside with him.

"I smell something." Murata whispered in Yuuri's ears before Yuuri approached the stage.

"Huh?" Yuuri turned. His feet were stopped.

"Something smells sour," Murata teased and strode up the stage with a smirk.

"Huh??" Yuuri stood there with question marks all over his head. He had not quite comprehended what his friend meant. He heard faintly when Murata's voice travelled through the hall. The applauses were thundering, and it made Yuuri realized that it was time for his speech.

He spotted Murata standing in front of the microphone. He took over the microphone and faced his audiences. Taking a deep breath, he began the speech that he had been reciting with Gunter that morning.

Xxxx Wolf xxxX

"You won't tell Yuuri about it, ok?"

"Wolfram."

"Promise me, Conrad," Wolfram urged. The stubbornness in his brother's tone left him no choice.

"If you insisted, yes."

"Good…"

"You're only hurting yourself like this."

"I can take it, until they are all gone, then, I'll be perfectly normal. It'll be like… I know nothing about them." Wolfram forced himself to smile. Conrad softened.

"After all these years, you still love him… even if you do lose track of everything that once happened, do you think you'd be able to forget that feeling too?"

When the blonde stayed quiet, his eyes down on the marble floor and biting down his lower lips, Conrad knew he had gotten his answer. Of course, feelings would never go away as you wished. If eight years were enough to cure Wolfram from it, then, he would never feel as broken as he did now because if he was in the other state when those memories were disappearing, it would be merely akin to slithering off an old skin that would do him no harm at all. Yet…

"Wolfram… there's something else I would like to know…"

"Yes?"

"He proposed to you, how did that happened? Is there a possibility that it might happen again here?"

Proposal… Wolfram's eyes watered again. The ballroom swayed before his eyes and Yuuri's voice dawned out from his ears. He turned towards his brother. His voice shaking unsteadily as they came out from his mouth.

"I don't remember…"

"You don't remember…?"

"I don't remember…" Wolfram repeated. "I could only remember some random pieces of our past. Most of them were gone before I knew it."

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

Wolfram was leaning into his brother. Yuuri recoiled at the sight. Wolfram had ended up hugging onto his brother, his shoulder trembling slightly. Conrad patted softly at the blonde's back. Bitterness welled up inside his pits as he remembered how he had tried doing the same thing with Wolfram but was pushed away instead.

"Something smells sour."

Indeed, he could even taste it. Even though he knew he had no rights to feel jealous, because Conrad was his brother. Even if he is just his half brother, they still shed the same blood. It was only natural for Wolfram to tell his secret to his brother. Why would Wolfram choose to talk to his king, an outsider, a stranger from different world? Yuuri gritted his teeth. He had been with Wolfram for more than three years. He considered himself to be closer to anyone with Wolfram. Still… Wolfram would not tell him his stories.

He would be just glad if Wolfram could share with him something; anything, anything related to his past…

Yuuri closed his eyes, of everything, he would only know about his ex-fiancé story that was said from Wolfram's own mouth, and this happened two years ago… Feeling his anger flowing into his heart, Yuuri tried to ignore it while concentrating on his speech. It was no use.

Wolfram did not trust him enough.

Looking at Conrad comforting the blond,

He felt it again.

Jealousy was seeking its way into his stomach.

It was sour.

And it was also stronger than ever.

A/N

Chapter 17 Retrieve.

Finally, Yuuri recalled the lost one.