Chapter 7
"Did you just not hear me, YOUR MAJESTY?" His voice was full of mockery that was driving Yuuri mad.
"I just said that, I WON'T BE ACCOMPANYING YOU in your travel THIS TIME." He emphasized the words too clearly that was obviously insulting for Yuuri.
"Wolfram! That's treason! You know you can not, I repeat, CAN NOT disobey a direct order coming from the maou!" Gunter was very worried for what might happen to the blonde.
"Wolfram as a superior of yours, I strongly order you to come with his majesty on this journey." Gwendal said a very (very) firm and commanding voice.
"My deepest and sincerest apology official advisor (Gunter) and general, (sorry am not sure what gwendal's position is in their army) but despite your threat (directed at Gunter), firm and authoritative order (Gwendal) I still must decline." Wolfram was not budging even with the efforts of both Gwendal and Gunter.
The atmosphere in the room was tensing more and more with each passing hour. It was obvious that this conversation was making Yuuri more tick on Wolframs very peculiar, irritating and pissing attitude. He doesn't understand, but the fact the Wolfram took lightly his ORDER was making him think of million things, like 'Wolfram might took the same path as Conrad and betray him' or 'he might leave me all of a sudden since he doesn't see my authority as a threat anymore' or 'he might not even care for me anymore to do such harsh things to hurt my feelings.'
A mixture of both anger and worry crept all over his body, he was currently standing and wavering in his spot. He looked up, and there, Wolfram saw honest worry and longing in yuuri's eyes. It was begging him not to ever leave his side.
Yuuri was extending his arm to as if reach over to Wolfram, to prevent him from ever going away from him. He was trembling uncontrollably now and all the adults in the room were worried now, while Gunter and Conrad were immediately at his majesty's side supporting him.
The adults gave Wolfram a disapproval look that made the blonde's inside lurch in a very painful way.
'How dare all of you! You don't know how I feel!! The one whom your helping right now is the same person who gave me pain for a whole year! Giving me signs that there was hope but crushing it every now and then! How dare you judge me for being the one out of place!!' Wolfram preserved his nonchalant face but at the same time gritting his teeth, unseen by the spectators in the room. He was hurt, by his family, his loved one whom he trusted the most.
'If I was only half in favor on my decision earlier, THIS moment made me realize that, THAT decision was right' Wolfram closed his eyes, he was hurting so badly right now.
Both Conrad and Gunter were still trying to steady Yuuri while Yozak was ordered by Gwendal to call Gisela incase of an incident might happen there inside the office. He knew the maou wasn't stable at the moment and that the cause of this was his brother. But, despite knowing that he still felt a bit bitter about the matter, he knows how his brother has suffer those days the maou were gone and the moments he saw when his brother's hopes were crushed by the same person who gave it to him. He's not against their relationship, but if this was going to continue, he rather have end it now rather than seeing his brother shatter every time his hopes are snatched away from him by the same wind who gave it to him. He cares about his king, but seeing his brother like that makes him think that this might be Wolfram's form of revenge against the maou. Solely with this belief and understanding, Gwendal wasn't able to move when Wolfram declined his order and started building a wall between him and the king. A part of him was in favor of what's happening, but another was screaming at him, telling him to put a stop in it.
Yuuri was continually reaching his hand towards his fiancé the person who he believes that will NEVER EVER leave his side nor betray him like what Conrad did once.
'Wolf… I can endure it if Yozak, Gunter, Gwendal, Conrad or even everybody in this castle betrays me… but… if you… ever…' yuuri's train of thoughts were cut short since he faint all of a sudden then suddenly come out his raging power.
"Who are you to disobey my order?!" the booming voice of the maou echoed through out the castle.
Every occupant of the castle was frozen on the spot due to the maou's strong maryoku, they never felt the maou's power get this unstable. It was frightening; the power that the maou was emitting now was like a monster ready to destroy anything on its path.
The people inside the study were unable to move; even speaking was an impossible task. The maou slowly rounded his table and walked steady steps towards the blonde, who was now nervous of what this might 'person' do to him. In all honesty he's a little bit scared because he knows he's the one who made Yuuri really mad and as a result came out his other self.
He closed his eyes and waited for the punch or slap that, he was sure to come. He can now feel the maou's presence just a few inches from him. He can feel the raging and unstable power that 'this' person is emitting.
The maou was now face to face with him, he just knows it and slowly a warm hand touches his cheek and Yuuri's (yes, it was Yuuri's voice and not the maou) soft, calming but trembling voice penetrated his soul. "Wolfram… why… do you…." Even before the maou could finish his sentence, he dropped to the floor while Wolfram was forced to catch him, since all of the other people in the room were seemingly still unable to move. Yuuri was now unconsciously hugging his betrothed. Wolfram was feeling guilty in bringing this to Yuuri.
'I'm so sorry Wimp, but I have to go away for now because I have to take care of things. I have to take care of myself, I realized that my self worth got below zero when I start having feelings for you, I feel that I'm worthless and that I don't deserve any attention from anyone. I… I don't blame you for coming to my life, to be honest, you're the best thing that ever happened to me but I … I…have to make myself… whole again… I became pieces of a broken glass whenever I'm with you… I promise… when I return… I'll be a new man and protect you even more… I love you Yuuri… very much…' Wolfram unconsciously embraced his loved one even tighter.
Yuuri on the other hand started to shake out of his stupor and help his pulsing head with his hand. He tried standing up but his still hazy mind won't let him make any sudden movements. Wolfram tried to steady Yuuri but he (Yuuri) doesn't have the energy to stand up on his own, resulting in Yuuri leaning most of his weight on Wolfram.
Conrad and Gunter rushed to his aid and tried to assist a seeming drunk Yuuri back to his chair.
His memory's still clouded but still he can remember a fight between him and Wolfram. So he asked them "What were we talking about before I almost passed out?"
"We were talking about the panic that had risen over at Haraitee just this morning Heika." Gwendal supplied. He's as cold as ever.
"And you were arguing with Wolfram about whether he should come or not." He added non-too helpfully. A set of glare was sent his way by both Conrad and Gunter.
Yuuri came back to the present with shocked eyes and made eye contact with what he concluded to be the person who caused him to loose his temper and transform to his other self again. He locked his jet black eyes with the dull emeralds of Wolfram. His (Yuuri's) eyes are provoking Wolfram to utter his earlier statement in front of him. He did not appreciate Wolfram talking back to him. He didn't want to loose control over the blonde. He likes him…. Uhm… more than he is willing to acknowledge and he did not want to ever think wolfram might do anything close or even related to Conrad's action, his betrayal. He just couldn't picture it, he and Wolfram in a real fight where in Wolfram won't let any emotion pass between them. He couldn't just endure something like that, so he put it aside in his mind. He really liked wolfram and he didn't want to loose him, that's one thing he is truly SURE of.
"Oh… yeah I remember.." He looked over to Wolfram, the cause of his emotional turmoil right now.
"We were discussing about who were going to accompany me on my journey to Haraitee…" he averted his gaze on his paper works and tried to assemble it in a proper way. Then he addressed Wolfram once again in a flat tone but with a firm gaze "I really don't care if you come with me or not but you are not allowed to leave this castle if you choose not to come." He concluded in finality.
Wolfram bowed his head eyes focused on the floor, he said in a humble voice that Yuuri didn't even know that Wolfram has it in his system "Heika.." this time the title he gave to Yuuri was full of respect and has no mixture of mockery or whatever. "Heika… I – I .. I'm sincerely apologizes but I really can not go and accompany you on your journey."
Yuuri felt anger rising in his system again, he can't believe that Wolfram will defy him twice in the same day. He knows that even his advisors can feel again the rising of temperature in the room. It was understandable for them to be more cautious after that certain display of authority in yuuri's part that every single person in the room knows, he (Yuuri) rarely do to intimidate those under him.
Yuuri saw Conrad's arm went to the hilt of his sword as if ready to cut down even his own brother if he keeps on making him (Yuuri) angry and loose control. He felt that he should reign in his emotions and anyway 'Why does it hurt so much to hear Wolfram say those words?... maybe…' Yuuri thought but was interrupted by Gwendal's clearing of throat.
Conrad and Gunter were amazed that Gwendal can stay calm and composed despite all the happenings in the room.
As calmly as he can say, he asked: "Why would you be unable to go with me on this journey, Wolfram? I mean, what do you even mean that you're not coming?" He thought for a moment and something hit him. "Wolf, if it has something to do about earlier, I swear I did not cheat on you, there was no woman or women to begin with!!" Yuuri was trying his best to sound soothing and pleading at the same time.
Wolfram smile, small smile that sent shivers to Yuuri's spine. 'That's not a real smile. It's fake, like the Wolfram in front of me now.' Yuuri was worried.
"Heh… despite the fact that you really are a cheater and a wimp, I can't come due to some appointment I have to attend to." Wolfram replied with a soft forced chuckle.
With an eyebrow raised Gunter asked: "YOU? Have an appointement?" he was a little shocked to hear that the little lord brat/ selfish LOAFER has something else to do other than pestering his (Gunter's) beloved time with his maou.
Gwendal whispered: "That's the first"
"Yes, despite me being a selfish loafer I do these kinds of things too, once in a while. You know, there are twists and turns in being a little lord brat too." Wolfram replied with a teasing tone, but still there was a mixture of hurt in it. "I know that it's hard to believe, but its true and I've been packing already and preparing for my departure tomorrow morning." He plastered an ever Conrad-like smile on his face.
"WHAT?! What departure?! I don't remember anything about you leaving!! You've already plan everything and didn't even inform me anything about it?!" Yuuri was mad, why was he being excluded out of the blonde's life? His blonde's life?
"Well your majesty I thought that you wouldn't mind me leaving, seeing that you're having so much time in doing disgraceful things with your concubines… really heika, you're not even married and you're already having several concubines." Wolfram was crossing a dangerous line now and he knows it. He just can't keep the bitterness out of him. It hurts like hell to know that you've been waiting a long time and still the person you love keep crushing your hopes and dreams to be with him.
Yuuri was at loss of words, did he really pushed Wolfram this far? Did he already broke the blonde into shattered pieces of broken glass? He really didn't know what to say. Well, what can he say the words that the blonde delivered were like a very cold wet towel thrown at his face. Even if the words are not completely true, the message that it implies really hurt.
"Now if you all excuse me, I'll continue packing for my departure tomorrow morn…" He was cut by a loud voice "No! I forbid you to go! If you dare to defy that order I shall be left with no choice but to lock you in your room"
Wolfram was shocked but still he have to stress his point "But Heika…"
"THAT IS AN ORDER! You're dismissed" Yuuri exploded.
Wolfram was shock to say the least but still he has to show that he is going to change and that Yuuri won't be his weakness anymore. So he bowed politely and exited the room as a dignified soldier would do.
'Wolfram… why are you doing this? Why aren't you telling me anything anymore? Am I not your friend? … … … your… … … fiancé?
Yuuri was all of a sudden tired. An emotional turmoil inside of you can really drain you of all your energy. He just slumped on his table and fainted. It was a good thing that Yozak was able to find Gisela and bring him in the office when the maou fainted.
-- KKM—
In a forest of an uninhabited island a cave was located. The cave was full of ragged rocks and steep holes inside. There was pure darkness in the insides of the cave and the fog wasn't helping the eerie atmosphere that surrounded it. The place was deserted due to good reasons. It was long ago considered as a place where if a person was to enter will be turned into one of the trees in the island. A myth that was believed as an explanation of the thickness of the forest, but there are more secrets hidden in that place that can be discovered by anybody, a reason that was the cause of that said curse.
A stone tablet was rumored to be hidden in that island but guardians of the forest won't let it be seen by just anybody. No, it has to be in the direct blood lineage of Shinou and the originators. That's the only person qualified to step in the territory of the heavenly ones to gain the right to be the bearer of the title that will set the world in either peace or chaos.
A sudden mirth can be heard every now and then somewhere in the depths of the cave emitting a speech that sounded like "Hihihi… our master will be awakening soon and he will surely take his rightful place as the ruler of this land".
A stone tablet was kept the deepest area of the cave, that's what was believed. But this myth can most probably be true due to the fact that the few travelers that escaped death said that once they stepped in the soil of the island, small laughter and voices were heard. Another thing that their hazy mind could remember was that there was a small twinkle of light, that can hardly be noticed, that they saw when they passed by a bunch of bushes that could be covering that thing inside that place.
It's just a myth right?... it shouldn't be believed…. Right?...
A twinkle, and then a voice, a twinkle and then a voice again; it was reciting a piece of peculiar speech, stating a threat?... a warning?... a notice?... maybe…
'Apparent similarities are seen…
But what does that mean?...
Are they one and the same man?
Or different as the beaches sand?
Thus this prophecy is spoken
For one day a powerful being shall awaken…
Thy shall destroy the land and the sea…
The wind shall bring the misfortune of all three…
It seems to be……. Incomplete