A/N: This chapter has a lot of Yuri in it. Also, the flashback ends a little way in, meaning that it goes back to where the prologue left off. I just thought I'd remind you because it kept confusing me.
I haven't seen a good map of Shin Makoku's world so I made some stuff up.
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
Chapter 4
Wolfram leaned over the edge of the boat back to Shin Makoku, watching the waves push them up and down. The wind came from behind, blowing his blond hair into his eyes. His mind was strangely blank, as though it was trying not to relive the events of the night before. However, one thought kept occurring to him: he had forgotten his dagger.
Well, it was too late to go back now.
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
Wolfram stepped off the ship and onto the dock. He dimly noted that it was drizzling, but was too busy battling fatigue and seasickness to do anything about getting wet.
"Welcome back, Your Excellency," greeted his carriage driver. "How was your visit?" He opened the door for Wolfram to get in.
"It was fine," answered Wolfram. He climbed in and sat down. The carriage lurched underneath him. He let the soft rattle of the wheels lull him to sleep.
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
That night, he was back in Covenant Castle. Conrad was the first person he saw upon walking through the doors. His smile was the same as ever, but his eyes were dark and contemplative.
"What's wrong, Conrad?" Wolfram asked, even though he already knew.
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
Wolfram sat outside the Maou's study, listening to the heated voices inside.
"Please, Gwendal, this obviously some huge misunderstanding."
"This is the last time I'm going to say this, Your Majesty. If you do not hand me that document right now I will be forced to draw my sword."
"Stop it, Gwendal! There must be something I can do to avoid this!"
"We all knew this would be happening sooner or later. There is nothing you can do. Accept it!"
"No! I will never sign this." There was a noise of paper being torn and a furious growl from Gwendal.
"Very well. Keep behaving like some naïve child. I do not need your signature." There were the sounds of angry footsteps and Gwendal burst into the hall. He noticed Wolfram. "Hmph! You may see His Majesty now." He huffed and stormed away.
Wolfram entered the room and shut the door. Yuri was bending down, collecting bits of paper. "Hello Wolfram," he said, straightening up and throwing the pieces in the trash bin. "I don't think Gwendal is very happy with me." He sat back in his chair and stared at the ink bottle. No one spoke for a moment. Suddenly, Yuri picked up the little bottle and pitched it across the room. It hit the door and shattered, black splattering everywhere.
"Yuri!" cried Wolfram as Yuri picked up the paperweight next.
"What am I going to do, Wolfram?" Yuri ran his fingers through his black hair, tugging at it hard. "A week ago, a relative of Belal was murdered. His entire castle went up in flames and Belal is blaming us! And Gwendal wants-"
"You don't always have to do what Gwendal says. You are the king of this country." Wolfram interjected, wishing he could leave the room.
"And risk starting a civil war? I'm not stupid, Wolfram. I know that Gwendal has more power than me." Yuri slumped in his chair. "Every day that has passed since Big Shimaron's declaration of war has been torture. Every day since then, I have been arguing nonstop with Gwendal, Gunter, and even Conrad. I have run out of options and out of time." Yuri looked up into Wolfram's eyes with the most defeated and helpless expression. The look of a king when he realizes he's powerless.
"Shin Makoku is going to war."
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
End flashback
"Mary me, Wolf," Yuri said softly again in Wolfram's ear.
"Yuri," Wolfram responded. "Are you sure?" Somehow, it didn't seem real.
"Mmhmm," hummed Yuri sleepily. "We all deserve to be happy." A few seconds later, Yuri was snoring lightly. Wolfram snuggled closer to him, drowning himself in Yuri's scent. Soon he had fallen asleep as well.
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
Ao's hooves pounded the dry earth. Yuri rode across the deserted plain at breakneck speed. He didn't know his destination, only that he was almost there. The horse skidded to a halt in front of a dark forest. Yuri dismounted. Greta was there waiting for him. She was younger, like when he had first met her, and she was dressed in rags.
"Papa!" she called, "Hurry. You don't want to be late." She ran into the darkness. Yuri followed her, trying his best to keep up. The trees were covered in thorns that came dangerously close to slicing him as he rode by.
Yuri broke out of the forest. The familiar rolling hills of Franshire came into view. Yuri remembered this place. It was where Belal had almost had him executed. Wolfram stood on the hill. Yuri and Greta walked up to him. Yuri noticed that Wolfram was wearing the colors of Big Shimaron.
"Yuri, you came," he threw his arms around Yuri and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. When Yuri took his eyes off of Wolfram he realized that there were tons of people all around them. They were all staring at the top of the hill. A voice rang out.
"Now announcing the arrival of the new king of Big Shimaron." Wolfram grasped Yuri's hand with tears in his eyes.
"This is such a wonderful day," he sighed. "I'm so proud." The new king descended the hill and walked over to where Yuri, Wolfram and Greta stood. Yuri's eyes widened.
He stood face to face with himself.
Yuri woke suddenly. For a moment, he couldn't remember where he was. Covenant Castle. The floor of the maou's bedroom. Just like every morning. Yuri stood up, his back aching from his fall from the bed sometime during the night. Yuri looked at Wolfram, who was still asleep. His chest was rising and falling slowly, his pink lips open slightly. He remembered what he had asked Wolfram last night and he had no intention of taking back his words. Although he had not quite sorted out his feelings for the blonde, he had already decided that their marriage was necessary, if not for himself, then at least for the country.
After all, who had time for a silly thing like love in the middle of a war?
Yuri rubbed the sleep from his eyes and dragged himself to the baths. It was still quite early in the morning but Yuri was used to it by now. He groaned as he thought of the day ahead. Meetings, meetings, meetings with his studies squeezed in before dinner. It seemed as though every day for the past couple of months had the same schedule. There had hardly been a moment for anything else.
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
Later that day, Yuri sat with his head in his hands, as frustrated as ever. Maps were strewn across the table with little figurines indicating the positions of their armies. The ten aristocrats sat at the table with him, each one shouting at another. They would argue and argue but nothing ever got done.
"I am aware of the situation, Von Grantz," Von Wincott was saying irritably, "But Big Shimaron is already making a move on Aziza. We can't spare any more troops in Caloria."
"I disagree," argued Gwendal. "Caloria's capitol city is a port city. If Big Shimaron gains control of it, they would have easy access to us via sea-route. If that happens it would spell big trouble for us. Need I remind you, gentlemen, that Big Shimaron far surpasses us in terms of sea power? We are sure to sustain heavy losses if we must turn to a naval war." A few others murmured their agreement. Two more aristocrats proposed their plans as well, only to have then shot down by Gwendal. It was then that Yuri decided to announce his idea.
"Why don't we open up a second front?" said Yuri, looking at the map in front of him.
"We've been over this, Your Majesty," sighed a frustrated Gwendal. "Big Shimaron is too far north and we could never hold out if we attack them during the winter months."
"I'm not talking about there," answered Yuri, putting a finger on the border closest to Shin Makoku. He slowly dragged his finger down the map until it rested on the Big Shimaron's southern border. "I'm talking about here." A couple of aristocrats laughed. Yuri frowned. It was annoying when he wasn't taken seriously.
"I'm sorry, King Yuri," apologized Von Karbelnikoff, "But you want us to trek through the entire country of Suberera, who we are not on the best terms with?"
"Not only that," added Waltorana Von Bielefield, "But across nearly two-thousand miles of lifeless desert?"
"Yes," said Yuri with determination. "It's doable."
"How?" snorted Gwendal, disbelievingly. Yuri turned to him.
"If I lead them across with the Mateki." The room became silent, everyone considering Yuri's bold plan.
"It could work," said Gwendal after a while, "but first we must deal with the situation in Caloria and even though Suberera is in the midst of a civil war, we-"
"You aren't serious, are you?" Von Roshfall objected. "It's too dangerous and we can't sacrifice our king so lightly, not while this kingdom has no heir."
"That is also something I would like to talk about today," said Yuri. "I would like to officially announce my engagement to Wolfram Von Bielefield." So much talking ensued after this statement, they were forced to break for lunch early.
Yuri pulled Waltorana aside as soon as they had exited.
"If you think that I will be giving you my blessings, then you are sorely mistaken." Waltorana said at once. "I don't really like you." Yuri winced.
"Please don't fight me for this." Yuri replied.
"On the other hand, there's a good chance you'll die out there," continued Waltorana as though Yuri had said nothing. "If that were to happen, Wolfram would become king so I guess I can't complain." He began to walk away. Yuri scowled, feeling insulted. Once Waltorana had walked a few steps, he seemed to hesitate. "Take care of him," he added quietly. That was all Yuri needed.
When they reconvened they took a vote.
"Then it is settled," barked Gwendal. "Wolfram will be named Royal Consort and when the time comes we will move forward with His Majesty's plan." After one last bout of argument, nine other voices agreed.
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
my Yuri is a bit scheming, isn't he? oh well, its better than a dumb Yuri.
I hate trying to write complicated feelings
Please review. Even if you hate it. The more I get the better the story looks.