Chapter 3:
Genuine- when all is gone, only then would you realize the truth remains…
Midnight. The castle was as silent as the dead. Nothing could be heard except the shuffling of the feet of patrol guards, and even those were almost silent. Where sleep has fallen upon the whole castle, only one remains awake.
Wolfram was still unable to sleep. He lay on the bed, no moving, not thinking, but just watching the sleeping face of the figure beside him. He followed the flow of his cheeks to the curve of his eyelashes, and up to his small arch of eyebrows and down again to the jut of his chin. His fascination with Yuuri's features remains everlasting as he finds his own hand unwillingly move towards the king's face. He restrained his hand and pulled it back almost reluctantly.
No… I'm content to just be this way. After all, only I have the right to be this close to him. even if it's for a while, it is still me that is by his side at the moment.
He knew and upon that thought, fell into depression again. He would have to leave Yuuri one day, to give up his place for another intended, who is probably some pretty princess from a foreign country.
Unwillingly, he felt his eyes burn as an all too familiar feeling welled up in him.
I will not succumb to signs of obvious weakness! Do not falter, Wolfram von Bielefield!
With a fierce swipe of his sleeve, he wiped the rest of his weakness away and shut his eyes, willing for sleep to come.
Unknowing to them, two silhouettes snuck in through the window, not making a sound or a creak. One scanned around the room for any signs of guards and signaled to the other to proceed when none was spotted. They approached the large canopy of the bed, cursing the king of the luxuries he enjoyed and grew even more bent on finishing their command.
Wolfram squeezed his eyes shut. Come on sleep! If counting cats won't work, I should start on bearbees instead? Amiss his dilemma, he noticed feel of draft against his skin and shivered slightly. That's strange… I am sure that I closed that window…
His eyes snapped open, wide eye in horror as he noticed the two intruders by his bedside. He very nearly screamed.
The duo, realizing they had been seen, dashed towards Wolfram before he could shout for help. Wolfram realizes the danger he and Yuuri were in and looked to the bedpost for his sword. Where is it? Where is it? NO! He cried out in despair when he noticed his sword… at the far end of the room near the vanity. How could I be so careless?
He reacted almost immediately, grabbing the thick blanket and throwing it upon the intruders, hoping to obscure their view even for a second. He pounded on Yuuri, willing him awake. How can he still be asleep? His life is at stake here!
"NO!" Wolfram shouted. They were too quick. Wolfram could see the blade shining in the moonlight. Yuuri cannot end like this! What kind of soldier, what kind of fiancé would that make me then?
He could not think any further. The life of his most beloved was on the line. He threw himself on him.
Yuuri opened his eyes, willing himself awake at the noise around him. What was going on? He gasped when he felt a weight upon him and was shocked to find Wolfram lying on him. "What is your probl-"
He saw Wolfram's emerald eyes open wide in mid-horror as he arched in pain. Yuuri look to his side and to his horror, he saw a man with hands on a dagger, driving the blade deep into Wolfram's body.
Wolfram let out a strangled scream.
"WOLFRAM!" Yuuri exclaimed, grieve-stricken. "Guards! GUARDS! ANYONE! HELP!" Yuuri shouted at the top of his lungs as he tried to move Wolfram weak frame from him. He could briefly hear the rushing in of guards and the shouts and exclamations of surprise before the intruders took to their heels.
Yuuri didn't care, couldn't, as his eyes were fixated upon Wolfram's dull and weak ones. He let out a desperate sob as blood started seeping through the sheets. "Wolfram! Stay with me!" He pleaded as more blood trickled from his wound. Yuuri cradled Wolfram in his arms, hugging the soldier so dear to him. "You can't die. Not now, not ever. Wolfram. I need you… I'm sorry. If only I was…" He held back a choke as streams of tears flowed down from his eyes.
Why was I not there when Wolfram needed me? He protected me. If not, it would have been me lying there.
"Oh! Wolf!" He exclaimed yet again.
Wolfram could only feel the immense pain on his back and Yuuri's warmth on the front. Yet, he felt so cold, too cold. Am I dying? He thought. He felt something wet slide down his face and realize that it was Yuuri's tears. That wimp. Crying again. I have to… tell him to stop.
His eyes faltered, threatening to roll to the back of his head. His eyelids never felt heavier. I guess sleep comes easier in this situation. No need for cats or bearbees when you have a life threatening wound to drive you into unconsciousness.
He knew that this day would come. That there would be a day where his life would be sacrificed. He had already prepared himself since he stepped into the military. But now, as he lie in Yuuri's arm, he was glad that it was him whom he has traded his life for, that he has a chance to die for his beloved. Wolfram has nothing more to ask of a perfect end, and yet, Yuuri is sobbing so tragically as if it is the end of the world.
Yuuri is too kind-hearted as usual. Again… such a wimp.
Yuuri cursed his own powerless. Even as he willed himself to summon up his powers, they just refused to show up. At this crucial time, where Wolfram's life is at stake, he was still useless. Only this time did he wish so strongly for his powers, pray that they would heed to his pleas, to fill him with that familiar rush of power. So that he can save his Wolfram…
He realizes just how much he meant to him.
"Y-Yuu-ri… W-wimp-p…"
Yuuri's head shot up. Wolfram's hand reached out to him blindly, hoping for something, anything to draw him closer to his king. He gasped at the effort and his breathing labored. Yuuri grabbed his hand tightly, willing the other boy to return to his lively state.
"Y-yuuri…" Wolfram gasped in frenzy. He couldn't see; his vision was slowly fading as his heart beat faster and faster. All he could hear now was his own heartbeat and Yuuri's miserable sobs.
"Don't… save your breath. I'm here Wolfram. Wolf… I'm here. Stay with me!" Yuuri tried to sooth him, trying to ease his own anxiousness as well as Wolfram's. The boy was in pain. And that thought pained him as well. Why in the world is Gisela not here yet!
There was so much Wolfram had not said to him. I have not tell him that he can be free. And that he must find another fiancé… He can finally be free… of me…
He felt his heart race again. Faster…faster…
And then it turned cold.
"Wolfram? WOLFRAM!" Yuuri screamed as Wolfram's arms fell limply by his sides. "NO! NO! ANSWER ME! ANYTHING!"
Yuuri cannot believe this was happening. Wolfram cannot die... he cannot die… he cannot…die… no… The same thought repeated itself in his head many times as he crush Wolfram to his chest, cradling him back and forth, endearing him like a child.
He did not even notice when someone shook him on the shoulder. He did not glance up. He felt an arm taking away Wolfram from him and he screamed, thrashed around wildly. He could not control himself. Wolfram was his… no one could take him away. No one must!
He briefly heard the pleas to tell him to stop as he returned to his senses. He turned, teary-eyed towards the voice and realized it was Gisela.
Gisela… Wolfram! Wolfram!
He opened his mouth, only to shut them again, gasping for air as he tried to explain the situation.
"Yes. Calm down your Majesty. Please, give Wolfram to me. His life is in danger!"
Yuuri felt all air in his throat disappear. He fell helplessly onto the bed as he watched Wolfram being carried away by the medics, his emerald eyes closed and the gash on his back still fresh with blood. The pink nightgown now soaked with bright red as the pale blonde hung limply in the arms of the medic.
He had never seen Wolfram looked so weak.
He heard Gisela barked a few commands at the other soldiers and medics and was gone. He tried to move his legs, to chase after Gisela, to follow Wolfram, but he could not find the strength to do so.
He never felt more helpless in his life.
That all folks. I seemed to have made all the chapters really depressing. I just have a knack for angst. I realize I'm on a roll recently, this chapter practically wrote itself. And I thought I would be updating in a week's time. Hahas. So, what did you guys think about this chapter? Please review and tell me any ideas you have for the plot, or any random guesses of what's going to happen next. I know my chapters are getting shorter, but i couldn't find a nicer way to end it than there. But in exchange I'll be updating rather often, so do look out for more upcoming chapters.
Special thanks to eclst, Miyuki meiru, Jakiy5, AshelyTangerine for their reviews and comments on chapter 2. Thank you for showering your attention on my fanfic, Love you guys for all the encouragement and enthusiasm! 3