Ballet of Kings and Dolls
A/N: Thanks to those of you who reviewed the prologue. I was very grateful.
Response to reviewers:
Blueyes125: Thanks for reviewing, number 1 reviewer! I'm so flattered that you think the story is already coming along great. It will certainly be easier to understand than my other KKM fic so I hope people like it! Enjoy chapter 1!
dess: Hello and thanks for reviewing. I doubt I'm the best but because you say so, it makes me giddy. I'm still improving and I like this story the best thus far. I like the creepy poems too so expect another one at the end of chapter 1!
Lina: Thanks for reviewing another one of my stories! I really hope you grow to like it and enjoy!
secret: I'm glad you see this as a "different" sort of story. I have a lot of strange ideas but mostly apply them to other things but I figured why not on KKM? I hope you enjoy as the story develops. Thanks!
Thacha: Ah, dolls are scary indeed. I absolutely love the horror movie Dolls and this story was partly influenced by the movie. Do enjoy chapter 1, okay? Thank you again.
Ghaile: Don't worry about not replying to emails. I can always talk to you via yes? I'm so delighted that you're excited about a new fic. It is much simpler to follow than the other fic so enjoy!
Enjoy the story and thank you for reading.
Warnings: None at the moment
Spoilers: Ken Murata's identity, Greta's presence
"I hear you calling and it's needles and pins. I want to hurt you just to hear you screaming my name." -Poison by Alice Cooper.
-x-X-x
Jump.
"Her name is Miss Maiden,"
Jump.
"She's pretty as can be."
Jump.
"She'll be your closest friend."
Jump.
"And will keep you company."
A cracking voice interrupted the girls' singing. "Her name is Miss Maiden, But I'll tell you what she said," an elderly man sang, " 'Don't you ever leave me lonely, Or you'll surely end up dead'."
The girls paused and craned their heads to examine the man. "You know Miss Maiden?" one asked, eyes brightening at the doll the elder held.
"Well, Miss Maiden represents all dolls. Did you know, children, that every handmade doll is as real as you all?" the doll maker inquired, his goofy grin coaxing the children of the village to approach his shop.
The girls, along with a few other children surrounding the area, shared perplexed expressions as they gathered outside the shop, where the doll maker sat in a wooden seat. Upon his lap sat a lovely doll, her lips lacking a smile. The doll maker raised the doll's hands and ordered a dance for the children to witness.
Continuing with his tale, the doll maker insisted, "Yes, just like this little one right here. Dolls, too, require the basic need to be loved. Each doll has her own personality but they all want a home."
"Do they talk?" asked a child with braids.
The doll maker chuckled. "You don't need to talk to show someone you love them, do you? Of course not but I'll tell you this secret. When no one is looking, dolls come to life and they move around."
Gasps of approval and wonder stalled the doll maker.
"However, children, dolls can be demanding," the old man declared, silencing them with a promise for more. "You mustn't leave them alone for too long or they become mischievous. Yes, they certainly have caused some trouble in the past."
"Why would being alone make them like that?" another girl questioned, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration but her eyes wide with excitement.
At this, the doll maker paused and leaned in closer. The doll upon his lap sat still, her dance complete. "Why, young child, a doll can grow very jealous and do you know what jealousy does, children?"
The children all shook their heads silently.
"Jealously kills."
A low mumbling of astonishment echoed throughout the crowd that the children had formed.
The doll maker nodded as if to emphasis his point. "Oh yes, I bet at this very moment a doll is out there, causing all sorts of trouble..."
"Really?"
Staring up at the sky, the old man smiled contently and continued the verse of the rhyme.
"Her name is Miss Maiden
And she's begging you return
But if you decide to leave her
A deadly lesson you will learn."
-x-X-x-
Here she resides, isolated from the world, confined within a closet. To think she would be restrained by something non-threatening and yet so effective. It infuriated her and insulted her otherwise fabulous capabilities. Not that any living being was aware of them, that is.
Regarding the closet, it is not surprising that said closet lacked any qualities that could allow one to dub it as cozy. It was lonely, filled with dust particles and insects who had decided to take up residence there, which was quite ironic in that they, however hideous, at least provided some sort of company. The maids never were capable of entering the closet since the room was inaccessible to everyone and she was practically obligated to tolerate the bugs ever since she realized this fact.
That is, of course, with exception. The owner of the room was the room's sole key. However, that is not to say he occupied the empty space that is his room on a frequent basis. In fact, it had been far too long since he had returned.
She was not certain how long she would be required to wait until the time came to be reunited with her close companion. It was an ordeal she would endure for too long. At first, the minutes had grown into hours. The hours had then grown into days, days into weeks, weeks to months, and then one year hit.
But patience rewards those who wait.
Today, he returned. He burst through the doors but was not alone. No, he was with another boy who rushed in from behind. This new fellow had the darkest shade of eyes and hair she had ever seen. Though the closet didn't provide much of a view, the crack of light allowed just enough of a visual for her.
Her icy eyes continued to stare, as they always did and she could sense something powerful about this stranger.
She listened.
The golden crowned boy, whom she knew to be Wolfram, panted, supporting his weight with the use of the darkly colored wall. For a brief moment, his breath hitched as a laugh escaped, matching the one that came from the boy beside him.
Hunched over, the dark haired boy smiled sheepishly and glanced at Wolfram. "You realize Gunter is going to be furious with you for kidnapping me?"
"Forget him," the ex-prince demanded as he flicked off unwanted dust from his pressed uniform. "Don't hunch over when you're catching your breath, Yuri. It's bad."
Yuri blinked, confused, but obeyed. His back cracked delightfully as he stood straight up and the Demon King stretched. "Well, talking about this grand ball isn't all that exciting anyway," he admitted.
After a quick shrug, Wolfram settled onto the bed. "Well, you'll be safe here. I lock my room with magic that surpasses that of most demons. Conrart will handle Gunter," the blonde clarified, indulging in the nostalgic items that occupied his room.
"So this is your room," Yuri murmured, eyes curious. His fingers had already begun brushing over the dusty bureaus. "I guess you were right about no one coming in. It's dusty."
A slight snort escaped Wolfram. "I prefer to clean it myself. I don't want others touching my property."
Yuri glanced at Wolfram. "You'd think that would be something Conrad would say."
"Why?"
"Well, isn't usually the middle child who feels the need to possess something? The oldest is, well, the oldest and the youngest is the baby. What does the middle child have?" inquired Yuri.
Wolfram's face dropped, his interest fading. "Our family is a bit different, you realize…"
Yuri contemplated this. "Eh…Guess you're right." It was then a faint blush crept throughout Yuri's face. "You don't sleep here often, huh?"
Wolfram frowned and pierced Yuri with an accusing stare. "Of course not," he began, crossing his arms. "I have to take care of you after all. I'm your fiancé."
No.
A loud thud caused the two boys to jump, their conversation forgotten.
"What was that? You think Gunter found us?" whispered Yuri, terrified of being captured by the mundane clutches of Gunter and the royal duties that would accompany the capture.
Wolfram kept his body calm but clutched the hilt of his blade as a precaution. "I doubt it," he mumbled, staring at the closet. "I think it came from here."
With a few cautious steps, Wolfram approached the closet and swung the doors open in one swift movement. His eyes widened but out of astonishment rather than fright. His mind temporarily froze and the only action possible for him was to stare.
He must have been silent for a long period of time because Yuri was by his side and tapping him, requesting his attention. "Huh?" said Wolfram, not hearing the other boy.
Yuri repeated, "I asked you what was wrong."
Bending over, Yuri lifted a doll from the blankets that had apparently fallen with the doll. "Hey, look at this. She's gorgeous. Er…she wouldn't happen to be yours, Wolfram?"
A thick lump prevented Wolfram from replying. He took a moment to swallow it and gather his wits. "A-Ah, yeah…She's…Miss Maiden."
"Miss Maiden?"
Wolfram shook his head and clarified, "Her name. It's Miss Maiden."
"I…didn't realize you had such a…"
The glare that Wolfram shot at Yuri was enough of a warning and the double black was quick to adjust his statement.
"-Er…nice doll. She's porcelain it seems. Where did you get something so nice?" Yuri questioned further, dusting off the doll's clothing to reveal the brilliant colors beneath.
Slowly, Wolfram raised his hands and removed the doll from Yuri's fingers. Tucking Miss Maiden into his chest, Wolfram murmured in a low voice, "I found her…"
Yuri smiled at how compatible the two looked. Though, he admitted, it was strange to see a boy possessing something so feminine, Yuri silently deduced that Wolfram was a special case. It was after some time surveying Wolfram's expression that Yuri's smile faded.
Wolfram looked…sad.
"What's wrong Wolfram?"
Wolfram's fingers tightened around the doll. "It's nothing," the blonde whispered.
Not convinced, Yuri pressed, "If something's bothering you, Wolfram, you can tell me. I won't tell."
The arms around the doll relaxed and Wolfram eventually lifted his eyes, sharing his appreciation through them. Staring at Yuri resulted in Wolfram's daze to shatter. It was then replaced with a quickening of his heart and a tickling warmth that sent chills through his veins.
Yuri observed as Wolfram's lips parted to speak but the blonde faltered. A sympathetic smile painted itself onto Yuri's face. "You know, Wolf-"
Wolfram's head snapped to attention as a knock plastered itself on the doors to his room. Whatever sadness lingered was cast into oblivion as the ex-prince motioned for Yuri to keep silent, just in case it was an unwanted guest.
After a few seconds of silence, Conrad's voice broke through. "It's me. Gunter has settled down and is occupied."
Yuri released a tight breath he had been holding and went to the doors. "How do I open the doors?" he asked once realizing the magic that sealed them shut.
Raising an eyebrow, Wolfram stated, "You can open it from inside."
"Oh."
Yuri grinned when Conrad stepped in, his demeanor unaffected by the stress that Gunter had, without a doubt, upheaved. The brunette shut the door and addressed the pair. "I assumed you'd be here. You're safe to come out though."
"Yeah?" asked Yuri.
Conrad nodded and added, "No more arrangements for the ball will be made today."
In triumph, Yuri released a soft cry of joy. "I'm so relieved."
In the process of settling his eyes on Wolfram, Conrad's interest was piqued by the captivating colors upon Miss Maiden. His gaze was quick to focus on the doll, his eyes reflecting something ambiguous and Yuri could only follow Conrad's line of sight.
"That doll," murmured Conrad in an unusually lowered voice. "Is that…?"
Shifting the doll to one arm, Wolfram nodded. "It's Miss Maiden," Wolfram confirmed and lifted the doll to exaggerate his statement.
"Ah, so you must know about the doll, huh?" Yuri inquired, suddenly feeling that he was the only one in a cheery mood. The brothers shared an expression that was borderline haunting.
Wolfram answered, "Conrart was in the same place where I found the doll."
"Oh," was all Yuri said, unsure of how to extend the conversation without thickening the tension that was already suffocating them all.
Conrad was quick to notice Yuri's discomfort and he smiled reassuringly. "Shall we go, Your Highness? You could probably do with some food and Greta has been waiting for you to leave your duties," Conrad suggested.
The mentioning of Greta brightened Yuri's face. "Yeah, sure," he agreed and was eager to leave the room but when he failed to hear the clicking of Wolfram's boots, he turned back around.
Wolfram caught Yuri's frown and he spoke before the other boy could probe. "I'm coming."
As the doors to his room shut, Wolfram cast his magic upon it before following his half-brother and fiancé with Miss Maiden settled beneath his arm.
Yuri noticed this and asked, "Any reason you're bringing her?"
"I'm going to give her away."
The proclamation startled Yuri. "What? You don't like her?"
Wolfram did not even spare Yuri a glance. "I don't require her anymore, is all."
"Why not then give her to Greta?" Yuri offered, his smile indication just how proud he was of the suggestion.
"No."
At the harsh bite beneath the word, Yuri repressed a flinch. "Huh? But why no-"
"Yuri! Wolfram! Conrart!" a voice cheered, followed by the rapid footsteps of a child bounding up stairs.
Yuri peered down the stairs and grinned. Kneeling unconsciously to receive a hug from Greta, the Demon King said, "Hey, Greta. We were just on our way to join you for food."
Greta pulled back and pouted. "You were taking a while so I wanted to see if you were really done with your duties."
Releasing Yuri, Greta drew close to Wolfram in offering of her hugs. However, at noticing Miss Maiden, she squealed in childish awe. "Oh, wow, Wolfram! She's beautiful! Is she yours?"
Wolfram faltered, mind rushing to formulate words. "A-Ah…I was…planning to give her away," he admitted and his brain slapped him in response. He made a bitter note to think before he spoke.
"Really? Do…I mean, if you don't have anyone in mind, could I have her?"
Greta's countenance and body language shattered Wolfram's heart. Before his rationality caught up to his moving limbs, Wolfram had already rested Miss Maiden into the outstretched arms of Greta. "Take good care of her, okay?"
Well, so much for his note taking skills.
"Oh, wow, Wolfram!" cried Greta, planting a kiss upon Wolfram's hand. "I promise to take really good care of her! Thank you so much!"
Yuri smiled and peered at Conrad, whose face held a dismal glower. "Is something the matter?"
Conrad blinked out of his state and assured Yuri with another charming smile, "Ah, I'm fine, Your Majesty. Let's all go get some food now, shall we?"
Wolfram stood still for a brief moment as the three went ahead down the stairs. His eyes, somewhat glazed, were fixated on Miss Maiden, who's head was comfortably settled upon Greta's shoulder.
Miss Maiden's icy stare had transformed into an icy glare.
-x-X-x-
The rest of the day had occurred in a series of flashes. There was training to be done, other duties to be executed, and of course, family bonding over later meals. For Wolfram, however, no activity was capable of quieting his thoughts and he felt like a stalking zombie.
Even as he settled into Yuri's bed, who had forcibly gotten accustomed to the action, Wolfram was restless. Craning his neck, Wolfram concentrated on Yuri changing in hopes to distract his mind.
Yuri froze, sensing someone gawking, and peeked back. "Er…Wolfram…You're staring."
"Oh," Wolfram mumbled, snapping out of his stare with a light blush.
"Are…you okay, Wolfram? You've been acting slightly off ever since you've found that doll. Oh, are you upset that you had to give her away?" Yuri asked, tugging on his night shirt.
Huffing to conceal his hesitance, Wolfram announced, "No, of course not. It's just been one of those days. Tomorrow will be better."
Yes, he told himself. Tomorrow things will return to normal.
Yuri hummed in contemplation and crawled in beside Wolfram. "You know, I'm really glad you gave Greta Miss Maiden. She's so happy. While you were training, she visited the Tomb of the Great One and all the priestesses adored the doll. Even Murata found her appealing."
"She is happy," Wolfram repeated as if to convince himself. Much earlier, both Wolfram and the double black had accomplished their daily routine of keeping Greta company until she fell asleep and Wolfram recalled the peaceful smile their daughter maintained even in sleep. Miss Maiden was, of course, slipped in right beside Greta, adding a new sort of comfort to the bed.
Nodding, Yuri settled under the sheets. "Yeah…It's somewhat funny, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"How we…er…act like this family ever day," Yuri breathed, his face growing hot.
Wolfram snorted and shook his head in annoyance. "Of course we're a family, you wimp! What else would we be? Greta sees us as her fathers and she's our daughter. You're such a dolt sometimes…"
Yuri grumbled, "Don't call me that."
Their eyes met and their irritation faded, quickly to be replaced with small smiles of amusement. By this point in their relationship, it was difficult for them to express pure frustration with one another, though there existed the occasional jealousy rant taken too far.
The moment was tainted quickly, however.
Yuti, who feigned a cough, tore his eyes away. Wolfram frowned and his eyes cast down. Though he appreciated Yuri's friendship, the notion that Yuri only considered him as a close comrade whom he would just happen to marry, angered and frustrated Wolfram.
There were also the various soldiers and royals from other countries who openly flirted with Wolfram and even Yuri, further infuriating the blonde. The blonde was well aware that others were beginning to doubt the tenacity of their marriage. Yuri did nothing to strengthen their bond and Wolfram was growing tired. Surely, he was doing his part but how much longer could he carry Yuri's load?
He could not physically keep Yuri by his side forever, could he?
Maybe we should discuss it, Wolfram thought, stealing a look at Yuri, who was busying himself with finding a comfortable position.
Though before Wolfram was able to bring up the matter, a gentle knock startled them.
"It's me," whispered a tiny voice, undoubtedly belonging to Greta.
Yuri frowned and requested for Greta to enter. "Greta," he began as he coaxed her to the bed. "What's wrong? It's very late, you know."
Wolfram shifted to the side, allowing Greta to be lifted and settled in between them. "Did you have a nightmare?" questioned Wolfram with a tender voice.
Greta sniffled, her eyebrows furrowing. "No," she mumbled.
"What is it?" Yuri asked again and then noticed Greta lacking her new doll, which she had been clutching all day. She had taken the doll to every location she went, including the baths. To Yuri, sauntering over to the Demon King's room would be no exception.
Greta lifted her finger up, revealing a nasty gash that was in the process of oozing blood.
"Greta!" shouted Wolfram, clutching the thin wrist.
Yuri leapt off the bed automatically and rummaged through the drawers, where he knew some medical supplies were kept. "What happened?!" he demanded with an overly dramatic voice. He returned and began wiping the blood off before sumoning his healing abilities.
Greta remained silent for a brief moment and the boys suspected she was conjuring up a proper answer. She stared at her finger and her voice was disturbing as she disclosed what had occurred.
"Miss Maiden bit me."
-x-X-x-
My name is Miss Maiden
You have disappointed me
You think I've gone away
But I will not let you free
Yes, I am Miss Maiden
I'll strike you from above
I will kiss your bloody cheeks
And will kill the one you love
-x-X-x-
Well, I'm aware there was not a lot of Yuri and Wolfram action but please understand, I also have to set up the main plot, involving Wolfram's psychological state and Miss Maiden.
Don't fret though. I also want to be realistic about their relationship and take it somewhat slowly.
Regarding the other characters, yes, they will be in the story. I didn't want to introduce so many characters in one chapter so that's why I kept it to four (five if you include the doll).
There's plenty more to come so leave your thoughts before you leave.
Mirai Kurosaki