Thanks for all of the kind reviews! This chapter pretty much wouldn't exist without the help and co-writing of LenaInverse. Yes, THAT LenaInverse. So if you haven't read her fic, 'Of Age' GO DO IT! Even before you read this chapter. Wonderful story. This chapter is dedicated to her and her Gwendal-loveliness.
Title: Into the Indefinite Sky
Author: S.P. Kathrine
Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: AU, Angst/Drama, Romance
Pairing: YuurixWolfram
Rating: M-MA (R-NC17)
Chapter: Chapter 17 17?
Warnings: Angst, Non-Consensual Sexual themes (referenced/implied), AU, OOC Wolfram, possibly OOC everyone else, Mpreg
Summary:
Wolf had spent his life believing that he was meant for servitude. His master was strict, and often cruel, but he never thought he could be anything more than what he was. One night changes everything and he is thrown into a world that he knows nothing about and given a life he never thought he could have. But a secret he keeps could only throw his life into further turmoil and not to mention the Demon King…
Chapter 17 – Bend of the Road
Wolf kept his peace and tried to ignore all of the people running about to complete the preparations for the small group departing for Earth. Rather than focus on his obvious exclusion and the way people tended to silence conversation when he entered a room or walked by, the blonde instead counted down the hours until he would be free from prying, invasive eyes and be able to take the potion that would cure him of at least one of his troubles. He wasn't sure if he was ready to deal with the new ones just yet.
It has only been a day and one-half since the boulder of burden had been dropped on his shoulders and the pressure hadn't lifted. Yuuri, Murata, Conrad, and Gwendal would be leaving and therefore Wolf and Günter would be expected to keep Shin Makoku running in their stead. Wolf was well-versed in behaving as a Regent of sorts for his 'fiancé', but there had been more than just Günter to help him along, no matter how invaluable von Christ was.
He had only been a noble for little more than two months and already he was being forced into running a country practically on his own. For an 'indefinite' amount of time. No one truly knew just how much time would pass on Earth in comparison to the weeks-or even months-that were lived by those in Shin Makoku. And why were they going to Earth? No answer would he receive from any of those who would know firsthand, and when he had finally decided to make casual 'inquiries' to the maids, they were also tightlipped, which was unusual considering their flippant passing of gossip and castle rumors.
That afternoon, they would be leaving and he was expected to be there to see them off. He would have preferred to remain at the palace so that he could take the brew while everyone else was gone, but both Gisela and Cheri-sama would be attending and he had promised that he would do nothing unless one of them were there. Gisela worried over the lateness and feared that something might go wrong. And he would rather concede than get into a battle of wills when she had that rather frightening and commanding look upon her face.
At that exact moment of his musings, he was answering a summons to Gwendal's study, where the Regent of Shin Makoku was making the final preparations for their departure. While he would be leaving control of Shin Makoku in his absence to Wolf and Günter, his paranoid and overcompensating nature would not allow him to go without taking care of as much as possible before he did so.
Even though he is placing so much responsibility in my hands, he still doesn't trust me enough to leave me to it.
He stopped in front of the door and knocked, awaiting the call to enter. When it was given, he did so quietly, so as to not distract the dark-haired Mazoku if he was in the middle of anything. As suspected, Gwendal was looking over documents on his desk. He gave no indication that he noticed the blonde's presence, although Wolf was sure that he did. Shutting the door behind him as silently as possible, he stood, waiting for when the Regent was ready to settle into whatever reason he had been called to his study.
It didn't take very long in retrospect, although at the time he felt as if any more waiting would leave him a sweating, unhinged mess. Just as he was finally about to break his self-induced muteness, Gwendal set aside the last piece of parchment before him and looked up, blue eyes boring into him.
"There are things that I must know you are aware of before we leave," he stated bluntly, never one to waste time or words. "Günter will be here to help you, but in the end, you are the Consort Apparent and therefore have final say on all decisions in His Majesty's absence."
"I understand this and will not shun Günter's counsel," Wolf replied. "He has far more years and experience than I."
"But Günter will not always be there," Gwendal returned. "Are you capable of making decisions that could effect the vary livelihood of the citizens of Shin Makoku? On your own?"
"I won't know until I am confronted with such a situation," he replied. "One never knows what they are truly capable of unless the something or someone pushes for it."
"Then it is time to push," Gwendal stood then, lifting a rolled piece of parchment that was of a dyed tan color and a dark seal of blue ink stood out from its back; from the distance, it appeared to be a cross with small vines wrapped around it. "This is a missive from Lord Jerid von Rosenkreuz, head of one of the Ten Families, who rules over the province in the far south of Shin Makoku. They send word that they wish to buy land from the state to use for farming this coming spring. The land itself is in the neighboring province of the von Heidrichs, also of the Ten. As is the Mazoku custom, they have tried to buy the land from the von Heidrichs, but they are unwilling to sell, as they are planning to build a new settlement on it. So Lord Jerid has requested that we override the authority of Lord Samuel von Heidrichs and allow them to purchase the land through the state instead. Lord Samuel has also sent a missive asking that the state intervene and stop the harassment of the von Rosenkreuz, as he had already made his decision. What is your decision?"
Wolf stared at him silently for a moment, almost overcome by the suddenness of what Gwendal was forcing on him. This was his chance to prove himself, to show Lord von Voltaire-Regent of all of Shin Makoku-that he could make the choices needed in the best interests of the kingdom and its people. But he would receive no assistance. Neither the Regent's words nor tone spoke of anything against either family and thus it would appear that neither was actually in the wrong.
"How badly does von Rosenkreuz need the land?" he inquired.
"The south had a drought this season in their lands closest to the Svelan Desert," he replied. "The von Rosenkreuz are trying to move most of their farming grounds farther north and the von Heidrichs' lands are known for fertility."
Wolf frowned. "And is the new settlement truly necessary for von Heidrich?"
"Given that the population of the von Heidrich Province has risen by at least ten percent given the census of two years ago, it would seem that a new settlement might be necessary to keep the current villages and cities from becoming over crowded."
He's not going to help me decide either way, he thought with an internal growl. Both have perfect reasons for either wanting the land, or not wanting to give it up.
"What would be a plausible outcome should you grant the request of Lord von Rosenkreuz and sell them the land without the consent of the von Heidrichs?"
"The von Heidrichs would grow angry with the government and rebel to remove the Maou from his throne," Gwendal stated, his tone blunt and without any outward expression.
"And if you should side with the von Heidrichs?" Wolf didn't see how this wouldn't escalate into one side being rather angry with the reigning King-meaning Yuuri-or a civil war, which had been known to occur over such things. Both provinces could simply decide to leave the state out of it altogether and start battling over ownership of the land. Then people would die and the land would most likely be ruined by one side-possibly torched or polluted in some other way-to prevent the other from using it. It wouldn't be a matter of necessity anymore, but one of stubborn pride.
"The von Rosenkreuz might take it into their own hands to force the Heidrichs into giving up the land, as they are not known for taking rejection easily or quietly. At the same time, should they not act, next year's expected drought could lead to a state of crisis from lack of food in the province."
Gwendal still gave no indication on which decision he thought would be best. Whether it was natural or purposely to leave Wolf with no other assistance save his within own mind, the blonde would never know. And yet his eyes were expectantly, awaiting the answer from Wolf. "Do the von Heidrichs not have anywhere else to build a new village?" he asked.
"The von Heidrich province is mainly woodlands, although if they were to try to build somewhere else, it would put construction back by over a year for having to clear away the new lands."
Of course there could not be an easy solution.
Gwendal was still staring at him, not impatiently, but in a way that left Wolf feeling as if not even a rock could hide him should he think to run. He almost wished that he had left the door open.
"May I see the missives?"
Gwendal handed both over to him compliantly, and he read them with little trouble-for he had discovered that learning to reading the Mazoku written language was not a difficult task, as if he had merely forgotten how to do it-taking in how each was worded in the most polite terms, but both holding a tone of urgency. Neither province seemed willing to concede and expected the Maou to do something about it. The Rosenkreuz missive was more complementing, trying to persuade the Maou by words of flattery and descriptions of the harsh luck that had befallen the province in the past year. Knowing Yuuri, he would have read this and squandered the entire royal treasury to take care of the problems in von Rosenkreuz. In his own opinion, while he was sure Lord von Rosenkreuz was worried for his people, if it was truly as bad as he made it seem, Yuuri would have already been notified of it.
Lord Samuel von Heidrich's letter was more professional and honest. He simply said that the von Rosenkreuz would have to find another solution, as he had to think of his own people's needs above all others'-save perhaps that of the kingdom as a whole. The villages and cities were becoming overcrowded, with the increase of marriages and births; there was simply not enough space within the current city limits. The new village was already planned, and the families moving into it already selected. To sell the land now would put them back years from both clearing the land and developing the new village layout. Years he did not have when so many of his people were dissatisfied and expecting the completion of the project. It was also mentioned that the money offered by the von Rosenkreuz would not be enough to compensate the families that had already put money into the excavation and construction of the new village.
"Has von Rosenkreuz been receiving assistance from the state due to the drought?"
Gwendal nodded. "Much of their produce has been coming from von Heidrich especially. As I said, their lands are very fertile, and the von Heidrichs are a family of Water Element Mazoku."
"It seems that one of the concerns might be the money offered for the land?" he looked over both missives once more.
"Von Rosenkreuz does not have the funds to pay the amount that the land is actually worth, nor would they do so in the first place. Since von Heidrich is building without assistance of the state, the funds will be paid by both the governing family and the citizens planning to move into the new settlement after its completion. If they are forced to push back the date, they will have to refund the citizens that decide not to wait the two years and what other finances are needed. It would probably cost twice as much."
Wolf placed both parchments back on Gwendal's desk and turned away. "So it's a stalemate," he realized. "Unless there is other unused land that von Rosenkreuz could purchase, or they can find a way to cultivate their own lands. The state can't put up the rest of the money needed to buy the land, because it would still cause problems in von Heidrich. At the same time von Rosenkreuz doesn't seem to be willing to take 'no' for an answer. How can you expect me to come to a decision with so little information and in so little time?"
"It is something that you will have to deal with sooner or later," Gwendal told him. "If you are to rule in His Majesty's stead and behave as both Regent and Consort Apparent, you must be prepared to make decisions quickly, but wisely. Whatever resolution you decide, that shall be the answer I send to both families."
I shall ruin the kingdom before they even leave! Wolf told himself. All of his former confidence faded. How could he make such a decision on his own? His lessons were still focusing the von Karennikov province and only small amounts of either southern province had been touched upon. I do not know enough about them to choose one or the other; I only know that both have very valid points. How can I choose one over the other? The only thing I already knew today was that the von Heidrichs are Water Eleme-
Suddenly, an idea came to his mind, nothing complete or without errors, but enough that would seem like a current solution. "Rather than trying to buy the land, why do the von Rosenkreuz not enlist the help of Water Elementals to protect their lands during a drought? Instead of spending so much money on buying new land, they 'hire' Water Elementals to work on their farmlands and train Mazoku how to use water techniques."
Gwendal did not respond immediately, perhaps because he was actually considering Wolf's answer. "The only problem with such a solution," he finally spoke, "is that besides the von Heidrichs, only the von Grantz are proficient in water Maryoku. Each of the Ten Families, save the von Wincotts, is bonded to a specific element after thousands of years of giving tribute to the spirits. The von Rosenkreuz are Air Elementals. There are few who can use Water Maryoku in their family. It actually contrasts with their type of Maryoku. While they could hire Water Elementals outside of the province, they could not train anyone in the family to use it."
"Are they are good terms with the von Grantz family?" he asked.
The door suddenly opened with the intruder responding, "Actually the heads of both families are cousins and Lady Kristen von Grantz would be willing to send assistance this coming spring should they come to need it."
Wolf spun around, his heart shuddering at the shock of someone else entering the room, and almost stepped back at the sight of who is was. "Lady Anissina…" he started.
The red-haired woman gave a laugh. "Such the gentleman," she winked at him, eyes gleaming with that same calculating look of mischief that never left them. "I told you to simply call me Anissina-nee-chan, but you are so formal." Then she turned her eyes to Gwendal and he stared at her, eye twitching and a strange creasing on his forehead that, combined with his perpetual frown, looked as if his face would implode on itself from the stress forced on it. Never did Wolf ever see Gwendal lose composure in any way save when Anissina or Günter were about.
"And you," she pointed her finger accusingly at Gwendal. "The problem between the von Rosenkreuz and von Heidrichs was solved weeks ago! What are you trying to do? Let go of your paranoia and go get ready! It's almost time for the ceremony and you're busy bullying poor little Wolf-kun. He doesn't need the stress! Look at how pale he is already! Pretty soon I'm gong to have to pinch him every hour just to keep him looking alive!"
The twitching was worse and while the sight of Anissina scolding Gwendal was at times humorous, the words that she'd spoken left him feeling a shocked chill, as if he had been suddenly thrown outside in the middle of a blizzard-something he had experienced not a few times.
Solved? So it really was just a test? I wouldn't be causing a national crisis?
"Was this your plan all along?' he questioned, his voice soft, but his tone was as hardened stone. "You push me into making a decision that could affect the entire kingdom, only that threat doesn't even exist anymore. You couldn't even trust me enough to actually give me a dilemma that wasn't already decided?"
The twitch evaporated in mere moments as Gwendal turned his attention back on the blonde, although before he could open his mouth to reply…Anissina did it for him.
"Of course not. He's a paranoid perfectionist-even though he still can't make a proper stuffed animal," she frowned at him as if she were a disappointed teacher scolding a student with he stare alone. "He just wanted you to think that it was an important judgment."
The twitching was back-along with a not-so-subtle tick in the muscle of his jaw. Most likely from clenching his teeth too often.
Without realizing it, Wolf had started to laugh-a weak chuckle that caused both Anissina and Gwendal to stare at him in confusion and curiosity. He continued to do so, shaking his head softly as he did.
"If you can't trust me to make choices while you're here to supervise, how can you possibly expect to leave me to my own devices?"
Gwendal's lips tipped downward ever so slightly, and retorted, "Trust has nothing to do with this. I may not trust that everything will go perfectly well, yet I will strive to make certain that Shin Makoku is as well cared for a possible in my absence. That is my one true concern."
"Then why are you not remaining behind?" Wolf shot back, his temper rising at Gwendal's seeming disregard for his opinion. "You obviously are the only one capable of watching over the kingdom and yet you are leaving while you have all but ordered me to remain here."
"Because he doesn't believe that something won't go wrong with Yuuri Heika's journey either," Anissina waved a hand nonchalantly; speaking as if it was the most well-known fact in the world. Then she shook a finger at them both admonishingly. "Stop this bickering. Gwendal, you have always and will always be this way, paranoid and controlling, but you need to quit pushing so hard. The pressure is strong enough without making it worse. Wolf, I know everything will be fine because not only will Günter be here to help you, so will I!"
That's not a very comforting thought, he told only himself, as he attempted to hide the seed of wariness she had just planted. And yet he could still feel the anger growing within him, burning into a steady flame of rage and indignation. Did Gwendal truly believe that he was that incompetent, that incapable? Hadn't he all but said the words? Then why would he put such responsibility on Wolf's shoulders?
Because he has no choice.
The realization left a sour taste in his mouth that he wanted to wash away. Of course, as Consort Apparent, would-be spouse of the Maou, he was the one with the authority when Yuuri was absent. To Mazoku, marriage was a very serious commitment, as they live for so long. Before a wedding could even occur, the couple must petition for a Rite of Wedlock from the Lord of the province-or in the Capitol's case, the Maou. No marriage to the Maou and another member of the current Royal Family could take place without the blessing of Shin as well.
As his studies in Mazoku laws and regulations had stated, the Consort Apparent was almost as good as being Consort. Said person was given duty to rule over Shin Makoku besides, or in absence of, the Maou and was in charge of the welfare the citizens most of all as to lighten the load on the Maou and prepare them for their future co-sovereignty. The particular difference was that should the Maou die unexpectedly or step down from their position, a Consort Apparent could not take up the title of Maou, as a Consort could. Shinou was the one who handpicked each Maou, and yet not even he could control everything. And to protect the welfare of the people, the role was to be given the Consort-or the Regent if there was not one-until the time that the new Maou was chosen.
Because I am engaged to Yuuri, I make all of the decisions. Although before, he usually looked over everything and then just sent to me the documents he felt I should sign. I didn't get to make the choices, just put my name on the papers. He wouldn't even allow me to sign any of the foreign affairs' documents. Even though they claim that I have such importance due to my being the fiancé of the Maou, they still try to hide the fact that I exist to those outside our borders.
A question entered his mind, one that he could not hold back and would fight to receive the answer.
"Why is it that you think I am so incapable? Is it because of my lack of decades of education? His Majesty is only sixteen human years, far younger than I. Is it because I was raised around humans? So was His Majesty. Or do you just believe me incompetent for no apparent reason than your own bias?"
Gwendal didn't speak. Instead he turned his stare onto woman waiting calmly by Wolf's side. There was a brief silence and the redhead quirked her head towards him.
Anissina gave Gwendal a look, hands settling on her hips. "I would like to know as well."
Gwendal still didn't speak, although the twitch has returned once more.
"All right," Anissina conceded with a shrugged. She then turned and winked at Wolf once more. "But don't think I won't get the details from one of you later." Wolf could imagine the sweat trickled down the back of his neck at her words. He strived to keep as much out of Anissina's way as possible. She leaned forward, reaching out and pinching his cheek between two well-manicured fingers. He pulled away in shock and she only gave a high, flighty laugh before she departed, wisely shutting the door behind her after given a goodbye wave. Wolf lifted a hand to his cheek, rubbing it as he stared after her, only to be pulled back into the current events by Gwendal's voice.
"You are young, inexperienced, and lack enough common knowledge of our customs, despite the rigorousness of your lessons with Günter."
Wolf's glared returned stronger than it hand been. "So you just believe that my youth equals incapable of performing the duties required of me? You forced me to come up with something almost instantly and expect me to be able to create an infallible solution?"
"You must be ready to face such predicaments at a moment's notice, and possibly on a daily basis. And most decisions are not perfect and not the only correct resolution. You must be able to choose your words and choices carefully and stand up for each with conviction."
The blonde's body was beginning to tremble from the stress of holding himself back from the shouting and rage he wanted to unleash. It would do nothing to throw was Gwendal would only consider a temper tantrum. "You evidently see that I am unfit to do so, as none of my solution were good enough."
"My opinion in that means nothing," the raven-haired man gave a slight shake of his head, although his eyes never left Wolf's. Not everyone will agree with your judgments and you have to be prepared for criticism. You must stand by your own opinion, no one else's."
Wolf let out a bark of a laugh then and couldn't stop himself from slamming his hands on Gwendal's desk. The other man did not even move a muscle or turn away his eyes. "I am fully aware that everything I do will be criticized and scrutinized. The obviousness of that was made quite clear to me as soon as I came to this kingdom."
"You believe you're criticized now?" For anyone else the words would have sounded mocking. "We've been coddling you. And nothing you have dealt with so far will prepare you for the politics and people you will deal with now. Ruling a kingdom is a precarious duty and you must not only pass judgment on others, but be ready for others to pass judgment on you-verbally, publicly, and with supporters to back them."
"Why have political opponents when my greatest critics are here in this very castle!" Wolf growled as he slammed his hands down once more, slowly losing the control he had been trying to keep. "Am I to do only what is expected of me, just as it is demanded, with no choice in the matter whatsoever? I have even less freedom now than when I was a slave!"
Gwendal's eyes darkened as he stared down the quickly-becoming-irate blonde. "Have you finished?" he asked. "Your behavior will not garner you any approval from me or anyone else. Stop looking at how you envisioned your new life to be and look at the reality. You are the Consort Apparent and your life is not only your own, not when you have a greater responsibility to your people."
"He doesn't even want to marry me!" Wolf reminded the Regent. "We're just waiting five months so that we can annul are engagement!"
"And at that time you can decide what to do with your life. For now, your duty is to Shin Makoku. And these are issues that you will have to confront at one time or another. Someone will not always be there to lead you by the hand."
Wolf almost wanted to slap him, but taking Gwendal's size and fighting prowess, it would mostly likely be detrimental to his own health-as well and leading to another marriage proposal to someone that was technically his brother. Instead he replied, "It's unjust of you to expect me do all of this alone when obviously your King cannot."
And it was true. Yuuri had someone there to guide him through everyone, to help him make decisions, give him options, push him towards the right path for the betterment of the kingdom. Gwendal refused to give him the same courtesy. What was the difference? Why should there be two standards? And Gwendal considered all of this to be 'coddling'?
Is there such a great gap between us that they cannot even see us as rulers on the same level? What is it about Yuuri that makes him so worthy of all of the love and support that they give him?
It came back to the question that Murata had put forth to him. Why did it seem that he was the only one that pushed the Maou, rather than pampered him? Even Gwendal was far easier on him than he should be. And why didn't he feel the need to do the same? Was he the only one that saw that they weren't as different as everyone thought them to be? Were all of the others wrong…or did he just have too high an opinion of himself?
"It is unreasonable of you to believe that you and he should be treated as if you were one and the same," Gwendal told him, and Wolf would never admit to the pain he felt at hearing the words said aloud.
He tried to swallow inconspicuously, and yet he could feel the thickness of his own tongue in his mouth-a heavy weight that seemed to strangle him for an indefinite amount of time.
"Our differences are becoming all the more apparent to me," he finally forced out, and held a small amount of pride in keeping his tone as neutral as possible. "You expect me to behave and think like a Mazoku nobleman, and yet all I will ever be is an outsider. The stray the Maou brought home and got engaged to by accident. Why else would you exclude me from journeying to His Majesty's homeland, even though as his fiancé it is one of my duties to protect him?"
"I have already explained why you must remain here," Gwendal stated, although the irritation in his voice showed that he wanted to their conversation right then. "Must you continue to push the subject?"
Wolf refused to back down. "And why was I not consulted? Could I have not had part in this decision? Do you see me as so inept at choosing what I will do and when, or just too immature to choose what is best for the kingdom over what I might want instead?"
The Regent's eyes were cutting into him and the muscle in his cheek had a spasm once more. "This decision did not need your input. You are expected to follow the advice of your elders."
"Advice?" Wolf couldn't believe his ears. Gwendal had never appeared to be an ignorant man to him before. "I was not 'advised' to stay and watch over this kingdom, I was ordered to by you! No one else will even speak of it around me!" the blonde shouted. "What happened to my freedom? I was promised by the Maou that I could do as I please, make my own decisions-mistakes or otherwise. Instead, you keep me caged like an animal, or even a slave. If anything I should just ignore all of your 'advice' and just leave!"
And then Gwendal was standing, slamming his clenched fists down on his desk with so much force that the glossy brown wood rattled and a pile of documents toppled over onto the floor. His head was titled downwards, allowing his bangs to blanket his eyes.
"You are never leaving Shin Makoku again," the words were resolute and undoubting, as if the Mazoku would do everything in his power to make them true, "whether to another country of otherwise."
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Now I am planning on updating again around next Wednesday, so be on the lookout. Something you guys have AL: been wondering about will come to head. (wink)