Wolfram struggled to stifle a yawn. The two days had passed almost painfully slowly, and his blindfold had apparently become a permanent body part. Except for when he slept or needed to relieve himself, the dratted thing was never taken off. Wolfram didn't mind the loss of his sight much, though; being unable to see meant he was in a more relaxed state, and hastened his healing.

Despite the fact that it had only been two days, Wolfram felt as well as could be expected of an injured young demon draped in esoteric stones without Giesela's miraculous hands. And the nausea had almost completely disappeared, thanks to him no longer feeling so weak and unwell, and the fact that the removed cuffs around his hands were never replaced. However, he'd gotten bored of taunting everyone around him.

What's the point of insulting these people, thought the blond, if I can't see when I've put the fear of Wolfram into them? Honestly, a sack of stunned pond-mice would make more riveting company. But after cracking two ribs of his former rider, Wolfram now rode with Hedrid. And, blindfold or no blindfold, nothing could stop Wolfram from constantly teasing the head assassin (who now finds himself questioning his sanity uncomfortably often).

What made it great amusement for a thoroughly bored Wolfram was that Hedrid always gave serious consideration to his questions (Hedrid, what if the king wants to kiss me but I think he's too ugly? Hedrid, am I allowed to kick him if he looks at me in a way disrespectful when addressing a former prince? Hedrid, how was your first… you know… time?), and though Wolfram couldn't see his face when he spoke, the o-gods-why-me? voice Hedrid used to reply had him breathless with contained laughter.

All this foolishness was not done just for fun; the more shallow and worried Hedrid thought he was, the easier it would be for him to get away.

Because who in this world or the next would find a young pretty-boy who asks, "Do I look suitably attractive in this shade of blue?"a formidable mastermind?

When in truth, of course, the more embarrassing the questions Wolfram asks, the more intricate the web he casts.

Even without his eyes he could feel the incredulous and disturbed looks from the other assassins when he had screamed for Hedrid to admit that he is the epitome of gorgeousness.

Marvelous! All of them think I'm an airhead, except maybe Hedrid. But I doubt my presence will be sorely missed once I make my getaway.

Wolfram smirked to himself for a job well done. On the off chance things couldn't be resolved with him ruthlessly manipulating the young king to his satisfaction, Wolfram may have to escape, and having fun at the assassins' expense would only make things easier.

A few things dampened his enjoyment, though.

It had been days since he had last had a bath, and Wolfram knew, despite his natural bounty of having hair that managed to look like beaten gold even in the most testing of circumstances, that he looked like a peasant who had been trampled by a horse then caught in a downpour.

In the eyes of his company, Wolfram looked as awe-inspiring as ever, if only just slightly roughed up. His hair wasn't as shiny, his face a paler shade than usual, and he wasn't in as pristine a condition as he usually kept himself, but if Wolfram had told them what he thought he looked like, it was probable that some of the assassins would have choked on disbelief and died, thereby coming to an untimely end. Thankfully for an oblivious Hedrid, Wolfram kept his misguided image to himself.

At least they gave me fresh clothes. If I had to ride to another country in my torn and bloodied uniform, all caked in dirt, their blood would be on my hands. And I wouldn't have minded.

Wolfram smiled smugly, and Hedrid pointedly ignored him. So long as Wolfram didn't tell everyone else what murderous idea had him smiling so terrifyingly, Hedrid would shoulder the burden of getting a minor heart attack with every little action the blond made.

Wolfram was not vain. To insinuate that he was so was the universal equivalent of repeatedly stabbing yourself accurately in the heart with an extremely sharp sword.

I'm not conceited... he would say. There's nothing wrong with me wanting to look presentable and smell pleasant.

So the lack of cleaning facilities soured his mood a bit, but when he had changed out of his uniform into dull-coloured farmer clothes days ago, he had been certain it would not break his patience.

When he was allowed to change his clothes, unusually for this trip, his eyes were left unclothed. With a care and gentleness that had scared and induced butterflies in the stomachs of all the assassins that had sneaked a look, he had taken off his hand-knitted bear hat and folded it as though it was made of pure silk, delicately and slowly, a fond smile on his face.

When it was about the size of his palm, he had brushed it against his cheek, his smile turning sad as he remembered his eldest brother. Then, as carefully as one would handle a priceless gem, he had slipped it into his pants' pocket, patting it softly after he had kept it.

Now, he wasn't so sure of the strength of his patience, but he tried to concentrate on scaring everyone to get his mind off the (imagined) filth he had all over him until they reached Mikael's castle. The slight weight against his thigh did make him feel better, though.

Nevertheless, the shine of his hair was not the only thing that pressed on Wolfram's heart. It was actually a tiny damper compared to the main reason why he felt misery creeping up on him.

It's been two days, and there have been no rescue attempts. Three things were possible, in Wolfram's mind.

One, no one back in Shin Makoku knew where he was, where he was going, and where he would be. Staging a rescue when you've not the vaguest idea where the target is would be like throwing a length of rope into the air in the hope of catching a specific bearbee.

Two, Mikael had sent some sort of threat where Shin Makoku would be attacked should Wolfram be taken away before Mikael met him. Wolfram snorted; it was entirely too easy to imagine a rash boy threatening a country as large, powerful and well-liked as Shin Makoku over something as frail as puppy love.

The reason why this would mean Wolfram being left to fend for himself (very well, Wolfram would add) was because his soft wimpy king would prefer to have this situation resolved peacefully between Wolfram and Mikael rather than have the people of either country take up arms.

Wolfram did not have the slightest suspicion of the possibility that he was thought of as dead to his people in the most confirmed way possible; the Maou of Shin Makoku believed that he had permanently lost him.

The third possibility... Wolfram really, REALLY didn't want to think about this one, but he knew that an intelligent and tactical soldier would survey all options to come up with the most effective plan, and though heartbreak lay in the path of this thought, the possibility must still be considered.

He took a breath to collect himself, though the chain around his neck made calming breathing a bit of a chore. Hedrid could tell something was worrying his captive, but he chose to ignore it for now. Over the two days they had ridden together Hedrid had grown worryingly attached to Wolfram, even though he was still being treated like a slow child. Showing concern as obvious as what he felt now would not help his situation. So Hedrid retreated to his old friend, silence, hoping fervently she would calm him.

Unaware of the turmoil he had caused in the man behind him, Wolfram forced himself to continue his original line of thought.

The third possibility is that Yuuri never intends to fetch me. That I have been traded off to Mikael in order to build an alliance between the Demon Kingdom and whatever country it is I am going to. A threat was issued, but resolved with immediacy because he has washed his hands off me. In which case I will live in this human kingdom for fear of what Mikael may do to them. And for fear that I would return to a man who has sold his fiancée for his dreams.

Logically, all this is sound and possible. If someone else were in my shoes, I'd probably have urged Yuuri to do the same. But I really, really hope that I have not been abandoned. Otherwise, it won't be the human magic that breaks me.

Wolfram shook his head to rid himself of the unwanted thoughts as Hedrid got steadily more concerned, the sight of the blindfolded Bielefelt viciously shaking his head making him feel closer to the edge of Wolfram-caused insanity.

Petrach castle was an hour away of swift riding; though he felt guilty for it, Hedrid never gave the signal for his men to pick up the pace as they continued their slow walk. He hoped that whatever internal struggle the blond was facing would have been brought under the reign of his iron will before they were near the castle.

Because things would steadily get more painful for Wolfram the closer they got to the king.

Archways and fountains glow red with the thickness of esoteric stone deposits incorporated into their build, and cobbles that line the streets cover natural deposits found so thickly in the walled city of Marden, capital of human country Balera, famed for its wealth of esoteric stones and strangely ambiguous ruling monarchy.

Hedrid wished the combined force of the esoteric magic would be enough to knock Wolfram unconscious; otherwise the trip through the city would be near-unbearable agony for the blond and will further set off Hedrid's previously-silent conscience against his cultivated need to obey his king.

Hedrid knew that he wouldn't make a move against His Highness on Wolfram's behalf; he wasn't that insane yet. But his effectiveness in duty would forever be questionable after this. No man should be forced to worry yet know that his worry is useless in helping anyone.

Oblivious to Hedrid, Wolfram tried his best to console his ruffled heart.

I should have faith. Whatever else he feels for me, hate is not one of it. And only hate would drive Yuuri to let me be taken by anyone against my will. So while logically the third option is possible, when Yuuri's total wimpiness is taken into account it becomes highly unlikely.

I hope.

Sighing, Wolfram bowed his head. The situation was wearing him down faster than he was happy with; while mere moments ago he was fully prepared to cause everyone within a mile radius permanent hearing damage, he now felt worn and oddly depressed.

At least it won't be long before I meet this idiot Mikael. Then, finally, I will find out what will happen to me.

"Hedrid, why does life get so difficult?"

"My lord, if I knew, I'd have given you a charm to protect you from it. Be patient. We will be there in a little while."

Sensing the hesitancy in Hedrid's tone, Wolfram didn't bother to stop his sigh.

"I'm going to be hurt, aren't I? Judging by the fact that most things can't hurt me enough to get you worried, and the pretty trinkets I've got wrapped around my neck, I'm guessing it will involve esoteric stones. And because I am so wise I am basically capable of reading your mind, this will involve A LOT of esoteric stones."

"I have never found reason to question your intelligence, my lord"

"Though this may send you into a fever of disbelief, you royal fool, I wished I had got it wrong. I now know for certain I did not."

"I can feel my temperature rising already"

"I'm tired. I'm going to rest now, so please keep your oafishness as quiet as possible"

Hedrid's face at that moment could not be seen by anyone, as he was leading the group, but it was twisted in sadness for the person he had in his hands.

"Forgive me, my lord"

Another sigh.

"I wish I could"

Hedrid had never imagined the sight of his king's castle on the horizon could look so repulsive.

This time, he was the one who sighed, but so softly Wolfram thought it was the breeze.

Home sweet home.

oOo

Hi everyone! This, or the chapter next week, will be the last chapter posted for a while. School has just gotten into full swing, and I no longer have the time I'd have liked to write Wolfram's busy overthinking things, and Yuuri's in depression, but we meet the elusive king of Balera soon. At least, as soon as I can post it, which would be during my school holidays.

As usual, thanks to all the reviewers, and I will grind to a halt if there isn't much demand, because I won't post if no one's reading it :)

Thank you Your awesome-ness invikta, and this chapter is for my sister who's as mad as I am