Chapter 3: What Would I Have To Do?

"Oh! But Heika! You look positively dashing." Lady Cecilie said as she walked around Yuuri, brushing his new outfit off a bit as she did so.

"I'm telling you…I really don't want to wear this…" Yuuri said, trying to be polite, but the reflection staring back at him was making it rather difficult.

"It's all the rage amongst the nobles right now Heika. My fashion experts tell me that this particular shade is irresistible to any single man's eyes." She reached over and began straightening the tie that hung from his neckline.

"It's pink!" Yuuri said loudly.

"It's magenta." She corrected.

"And Wolfram said that you would approve of this shade. It's very royal." Yuuri narrowed his eyes. Of course he did…

"Well, he was wrong!" Yuuri countered as the blonde skipped out of the room merrily.

"Who was wrong?" Wolfram's voice interjected. When he looked at Yuuri, his lip quivered as he tried to hold back his laughter.

"Nice outfit." Wolfram said with a hint of giggles.

"You told her I would like this?" Yuuri asked angrily.

"You don't?" He asked in mock shock, chuckling under his breath.

"No! I don't want pink! Can't I just wear my normal black outfit?" Yuuri overreacted. Wolfram smiled and leaned against the wall.

"I don't know Heika…I think that Magenta is your color." Wolfram said sarcastically. Yuuri paused.

"Why do you keep doing that?" Yuuri asked curiously. Wolfram shrugged and laughed a bit more.

"Because I like when you overreact to things. Your real outfit is on its way. That one is a suit I found in Gunter's old trunk in the storage room." Wolfram smiled and stepped over to the desk to examine a small tie that apparently matched the pink monstrosity.

"No, not that…calling me Heika. You've been doing that all week." Yuuri said. Wolfram had done away with pleasantries almost immediately after becoming engaged.

"It is the most respectful term for you, I am required to refer to you under that title." He replied easily, as if he had always referred to him as such.

"That never stopped you before." Yuuri replied searchingly. Wolfram looked at the floor and set down the tie. He seemed to be contemplating on a reply before shaking his thought away and turning towards to door.

"I should go. Mother will be back with your suit soon, and I have troops to train. Excuse me Heika." Wolfram nodded, and walked out of the room.

Yuuri stared after him with a confused look on his face. He removed the Magenta clothes and returned to his normal black clothing. Gwendal found him in the hallway and forced him to begin signing more royal documents. Yuuri began the mountain, literally, of work in front of him all the while thinking about the young blond boy who was beginning to freak him out.

"Keep moving! This is nowhere the end of your limits men!" Wolfram shouted as he ran in front of his men on a normal sprint around the castle walls. His troops always knew when something was wrong with their leader, so they dared not utter a complaint. They just kept on running until they passed out, or Wolfram worked out his frustrations. They rounded the final leg of the castle and entered the training grounds again. Wolfram announced that they were dismissed, then sat on the castle steps.

What am I doing? This is just so frustrating. How can I possibly tell him about the ball? This isn't just a normal party that my mom feels like throwing…I can tell she is wanting something more. She is crafty. I'll have to figure out what she is planning. This is a political advancement opportunity. She must be wanting something…She is usually a pretty bad liar…I'll have to talk to her.

"Mother." Wolfram said calmly as he walked into her study that evening. She turned slowly and smiled at her son.

"What is it Wolfy Baby?" She said in her normal seductive tone that she tended to use with everyone.

"What are you up to?" He asked curiously. Subtlety wasn't really his strong point.

"Checking the guest list dear, it seems we will have several new faces this year at the ball."

"Who all are you inviting mother?" He asked, not even bothering to sound innocent. Lady Cecilie's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Everyone dear! It will be the biggest bash yet! All the handsome men from every kingdom will be here." Wolfram smiled.

"It does sound as if it will be a large party. You've even invited the unallied kingdoms?"

"Of course."

"Yuuri knows of this?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to brief him on political traditions?"

"No." she said with finality. There was warning in her tone. Wolfram was taken aback.

"Why not?" He began to tread carefully. Too demanding and he may lose any momentum he had gained.

"He has enough to worry about my dear. I doubt he will be involved in anything during the ball. The nobles will all wish to talk to Gwendal or Gunter anyways. There is really no need to confuse him with political affairs of this sort."

"You don't think he will be involved? Everyone is after the power that the demon kingdom has obtained mother. He will be thrown into the midst of every conversation and be asked to start alliances without knowing what he is agreeing to. It is foolish to presume that he will know what to say to everyone. I won't stand for this." The blond boy narrowed his eyes. The ex queen smiled darkly, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Are you saying that you would put a stop to this ball? You would stand against me will and force your opinion onto our king?" Wolfram stepped back his eyes flitted to the floor.

"That is not what I meant in imply mother... What if he makes another mistake? If he doesn't know what he is doing he could end up in trouble again."

"It is not your place to decide what is right for Heika Wolfy, nor the kingdom for that matter. You are his consort at the moment yes, but you have no say here. The ball will continue as planned." There was a bite to her words. Wolfram felt their sting long after they were said. He knew he had been caught snooping in royal affairs. She had caught onto his inquiries. His mother stood quickly and approached him. She sauntered towards him, her sleek red dress brushing the floor as she glided. Her hand reached out and touched her son's cheek softly. He flinched away from the touch.

"Wolfy, would I ever do anything to hurt you baby?" She pouted at him, but the gesture was only halfhearted.

"That is not what I was implying mother, I just think that you might be using this ball for more than what you are letting on. Balls are not just dances mother, they are chances for new alliances, new political gains, new relationships." The ex queen smirked.

"What you say is true my dear, but fret not. My plan will reveal itself in time."

"Fine, I'll have Gunter warn Yuuri of the traditions then." Wolfram threatened, his eyes narrowing.

"Wolfram Von Bielefeld, I forbid you from doing so. You will say nothing of the ball to Heika, not even if he asks. I have things under control darling. Don't worry." Her aura oozed authority. The ever proud Wolfram had to bend to her will. He knew his place, he was not to question her methods. If she was planning this, she already had permission from Yuuri, Gwendal, and Gunter as well. There was nothing he could do. He looked to the floor and nodded. She then giggled in an overly girly way and hugged her son tightly before prancing out of the room. Wolfram sighed.

"That, mother, is what I am afraid of." he said to no one.

Wolfram sighed, and stepped out onto his mother's office balcony, which overlooked the large town below. He closed his eyes and felt a breeze trickle past his hair.

"What am I going to do now?" He asked the wind.

"I can't possibly go against my mother's orders…but I don't want to not warn Yuuri of this."

"Warn me of what?" The double black's voice rang out behind Wolfram. The blond whirled around to face Yuuri and instantly composed himself.

"It's nothing Yuuri." Wolfram replied confidently, his mother's warning still ringing in his ears. Yuuri creased one of his brows.

"You just said you wanted to warn me of something. What is it?" Yuuri tried to sound as confident as Wolfram, but has always had issues in that department. The blond shook his head.

"There is nothing to report Heika. What are you even doing here? Don't you have paperwork to be doing?" Wolfram tried to change the subject, he knew that Yuuri was easily distracted.

"Oh, uh…I'm taking a break." Yuuri said, taking the bait. The blond sighed.

"How much longer do you think that Gunter will let you get away with so many breaks?" Wolfram asked, but he knew the answer…as long as Yuuri kept asking. Yuuri just laughed in his nervous way.

"What are you doing here Wolfram?" Yuuri attempted to shift the conversation. The blond shrugged, allowing the subject change.

"I was visiting mother, she just left a few moments ago. Is there anything you need? I really should get to the stables soon, I have border patrol tonight." Yuuri shook his head.

"Not really. When will you get back?" Yuuri asked hopefully. Wolfram didn't catch the tone though and answered clinically.

"I'm not sure, most likely not until dawn." Yuuri's shoulders slumped. Wolfram noticed his stature and tilted his head as the king answered.

"Oh…"

"What is it Heika?" Yuuri narrowed his eyes and met Wolfram's.

"Quit calling me that. You sound like Conrad now." Wolfram winced at the comparison. Though he had more or less made up with his brother, Wolfram still disliked being compared to him.

"I am nothing like Conrad, he is your godfather, he is supposed to call you by your birth given name."

"And you are my fiancé…aren't you allowed to call me Yuuri as well?" Wolfram blinked at the words. He just stared at the double black.

"You wish to acknowledge me as your fiancé?" Wolfram questioned seriously, no hint of jesting or sarcasm. Yuuri backtracked.

"Well…I…" Yuuri stammered, not sure how to answer. Wolfram sighed.

"As I thought. Yuuri you are not taking this seriously, and I for once…am. I will no longer push myself into your life and try to change this animosity you have towards a relationship with me. As I told you once before, parties like the one coming up are not just for dancing and a good time. They are also used for political advancements. If you should choose another person to court during the party, you could choose to reconsider your engagement to me. An easy switch… If you wish not to stay with me." Wolfram said the last sentence with hesitancy. He knew what Yuuri's choice would be. Yuuri thought about this for a moment.

"So…What would I have to do in order to annul the engagement?"

I'm working hard to continue this story all the way till the end! I could use some encouragement!