Author's Note 1: this segment of the story goes to all the wonderful people who reviewed in the last chapter. You inspired me to add another chapter so soon. Some have asked if the story ends in the last chappy, but remember that this story began with Wolfram's captivity. There will be a lot of odd turns in this story, so I'd like to spoil it a little.
Author's Note 2: I'm the type of writer who puts details in a story that holds meaning to the whole story. Little details you don't think are as important are quite vital for the story's end. So review them if you don't know what I'm talking about. Some are subtle descriptions and hints, so it's highly possible that you missed them. Hehehe…I would have missed them too. I hope to hear from my lovely reviewers once again…and I hope until the end…
Author's Note 3: sorry to say though, this chapter is still short…but it has two scenes though. Would you believe that??? Ehehehe
Warning: KKM is not mine; soft boy to boy love.
Acceptance and Denial
Chapter 4
Some of Wolfram's captors have been retrained in the castle. However, since all attention of authority had been given to those recovering, the prisoners have remained in the castle dungeons. Contrary to their treatment of the Demon Tribe, they have been fed, given water and a comfy futons. They weren't tortured, whipped and pierced. Their sentences are yet to be discussed in the presence of the king, his advisors, and protectors, in the throne room.
On their knees, the prisoners waited nervously for their sentences as the whole room remained silent, the royal crowd contemplating.
"I'm expecting severe punishment. They have more than disgraced my brother. Plus the troops" Gwendal announced, his face more stern, covered with more wrinkles. He tried thinking of those little creatures he created with yarn and needles, but red still partially covered that vision.
Wolfram crossed his arms as if he didn't care; that mask of cold and uncaring drawn on his face.
Conrad's finger was against his temple, that smile he always had simply on vacation today.
Gunter's eyes were closed, that unusual bubbly aura went with Conrad's smile.
Yuuri had been eying each of the prisoners presented before them. He haven't given thought of their sentences these past few days simply because he was preoccupied with something else. Now, forced to say something, anything that would do the justice he always preached about, was as frightening as he'd imagine kneeling before a royal entourage.
"What say you?" he simply asked them.
One of them, seemingly the leader of the group, spoke, "The only reason we took them because they were ordered of us."
"What's the name of your leader?"
"She is Lady Katsumi."
"The beatings?"
"Were her orders, too."
"Why did she want me?"
"We do not know."
"So you follow a leader without meaning or reason, and you allow her to leave you to be captured by the enemy?"
"We are loyal and are under her command." The man simply said.
"Do you fear any form of punishment? Of death?"
"We will all die someday, others just go ahead of us. We have served our Lady, and that is enough."
Yuuri was still left uncertain. He looked at each man kneeled before him. Where then is the justice of punishing a man who acted upon orders? Manipulated by a leader they believed in? This is not right.
"Where can I find your leader?"
"Why?"
"I need to speak with her." The double black king declared. He felt hot stares from either side of him. He almost felt the sword on his neck, Wolfram's hands on the hilt. He tried to ignore them.
"You'll just kill her, then us. Just take our lives and be done with it."
"I'm not one to take lives, and I might just spare yours." Hot turned scorching.
"You lie!" the soldier accused.
"Never have I."
Wolfram stood. With his back erect, he walked out of the room as if he didn't care.
"Retrieve the information we need, then return them to their cells." Yuuri demanded of his advisors and foloowed the blonde.
They were warm and heavy at the rim of his eyes. But they were held, forbidden, as he walked down the main hall to the chamber wing. He needed a place to spare his tears. Not here, not where the whole world could see him.
"Wolfram! Wait! Listen!"
He heard their king but went on walking. He was fully aware of the double black boy close behind him. "So that's it?" He asked, keeping his pace.
"That's what it?" the other boy asked.
He stopped and turned, the other boy almost slamming against him. "That's my worth to you?" his face came alarmingly close to the king's face.
Yuuri inched closer. "You should know better than that." He whispered through his teeth, pain tainted on his face.
"You practically announced to the whole kingdom how little I mean to you." The blonde raised his arms in frustration and walked away.
"You have to understand, Wolfram." The blonde lingered on one step. Yuuri looked at his hands. He tried walking toward the other boy, but could only look back in his palms. "I've never killed anyone, nor even ordered anyone to be killed. I can't do it, Wolfram. I don't want blood in my hands."
The blonde looked back at the king, "You didn't have to have them killed," he said softly. "You didn't even give them any sort of punishment."
Realizing what the other was saying, Yuuri could only call his name, "Wolfram…"
The other shook his head, "I still have duties, your Majesty. I shall see you later."
The king watched his fiancé walk away.l