Chapter 4: You're Wrong

Wolfram's heart sank, it was the answer he had been fearing. Yuuri was ready to annul the engagement. Though he had been silently begging them not to, his eyes began to tear up. He looked to the floor and gathered his breath, trying to sound steady as he told Yuuri what he would have to do. To hell with his mother's warnings. Yuuri had asked for this answer himself.

"It is quite simple really, all you have to do is accept a carved sea stone given to you by someone else, and hand me one that has not been carved. You will receive many of these hand carved stones at this party as you are still considered an eligible man. If you accept the stone and keep it on your person, it means they have a chance. Of course a new engagement would only be solidified only when given a slap across the cheek." Wolfram had gathered himself by this point and was once again masked with a wall of indifference. Yuuri pondered his words.

"What do I do to tell the others that I'm not interested?" Yuuri was acting completely normal, as if he had no idea that he had just tore someone's heart apart. Wolfram wanted to escape to his room to let out his emotions, but forced himself to stay.

"Simply place the unwanted stones into a vase that will be nearby you. It shows that the beauty of their feelings is accepted, but any harbored feelings behind them are politely declined."

"Oh, that kind of makes sense. There are so many customs here that I just don't get. Do annulments usually have to be done in a party setting? That seems a bit rude to display." Yuuri stated scratching his head as he normally does when confused.

"No, it can be done in any setting I suppose. Political affairs are a bit more public with royalty I suppose. I'm sorry, if you'll excuse me Heika, I...I really should be going now." Wolfram said as politely as he could, he didn't know how much longer he could deal with this. Yuuri nodded and smiled.

"Alright, Thanks for explaining." Yuuri smiled, then turned and walked away nonchalantly. He had always wondered how annulling engagements here were done, and was surprised by Wolfram's honesty. Wolfram watched after him for a moment.

"So this all ends when he finds an uncarved sea stone…I wonder when he will choose to break it off. I can only pray it is not at the ball…"

Yuuri walked the corridors towards his room, he was thinking about Wolfram's words.

"Hmm, it seems so simple…Just giving him a rock could have annulled this engagement long ago.

"Why did I never ask what would do it? I should be careful, I don't really want to hurt his feelings anymore than I already have in the past."

Wolfram felt like screaming, but knew he had to wait. He was in the stables saddling up his white stallion for a ride. He had to get a way for a while. The horse whinnied at him and Wolfram smiled only just.

"At least I always have you." He told the white beauty. Wolfram rested his forehead on the horse's muzzle, then kissed the soft white hair. After he had finished getting ready, he mounted and kicked his heels against the horse's side. The stallion lurched forward quickly, knowing that they were going for a run. Wolfram closed his eyes, and just let the horse run. The wind blew through his hair and he breathed in deeply.

To Wolfram, nothing could beat this feeling. Being with his horse, running as fast as the wind, could make him forget any problems with his life. Unfortunately, the stallion always got tired at some point, and Wolfram had to return to his reality.

The horse stopped a few feet away from a cliff's edge, a place that Wolfram always retreated to when he was angry. There were no towns or people to be seen for miles, so he could let out his frustrations without worry that anyone could hear. Wolfram dismounted and removed the bridle from his horse, freeing him to walk around and graze. The blond boy sat on the edge of the cliff and looked out over the large canyon. Deep within the canyon, a river flowed gently and caused a soothing sound to resonate up towards him. He laid back on the grass, and closed his eyes, a tear escaped, but there was no one to see.

Crying was something that Wolfram rarely did, even as a child. No matter the pain and anguish, he forced himself to endure it, to make himself stronger. This would be no exception. He clenched his teeth to hold back the tears, his breathing staggered slightly. He remained that way for a while, before dozing off. As sleep overtook him, he felt the pain ebbing away. Sleep was always a peaceful retreat, but once again…only temporary.

"Hey Conrad!" Yuuri called out as he approached his Godfather. The older man smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Heika, how are you today?" The man asked. Yuuri narrowed his eyes.

"I keep telling you not to call me that. I swear between you and Wolfram, I have to say this like twenty times a day." Yuuri said. Conrad blinked.

"Wolfram has been referring to you by your title?" The brunet asked clearly surprised by this knowledge. Yuuri nodded.

"I keep wondering why, but he dodges the question whenever I ask him." Conrad let out a humorless chuckle.

"I knew this would happen." The man murmured, barely audible. Yuuri looked at the older man.

"What?" He asked, not having heard the comment clearly. Conrad's face quickly changed from worried to a smile.

"I wouldn't worry Your Highness. Wolfram tends to go through strange stages." Yuuri had noticed this, but didn't let it show.

"I suppose…I just wish I knew what he was thinking sometimes." Conrad laughed.

"Yes, that would make things quite a bit easier wouldn't it?" Yuuri nodded.

"Have you seen him Conrad? I wanted to ask him a bit more about the ball." Conrad's smile vanished.

"No Hei…Yuuri. I have not seen him today. What did you want to ask him about?" There was something that Yuuri couldn't quite detect behind that voice. Anger? Sadness?

"Oh, just…if I would have to dance with everyone again. I'll have to take more lessons if Lady Cecilie decides to use fast music again." Conrad seemed to relax.

"Of course. Were you wanting lessons with Wolfram?" The man asked. Yuuri nodded.

"I tried dancing with Gunter…but that is just weird. You are too tall, Gwendal wouldn't dare…"

"And mother?"

"…She frightens me." Yuuri replied. Conrad laughed again.

"I see. I'll see if I can track him down for you." Yuuri nodded in response and walked out to his favorite spot in the gardens.

Wolfram sighed to himself and opened his eyes. He had no idea how long he had been sleeping, but it couldn't have been more than an hour since the sun was still high above him. The nap was good, and it did help him to forget his troubles for a short time. He jumped when he heard a voice behind him.

"So, you came here after all." The tall brunette's voice flowed behind him. Wolfram looked up and scowled.

"What do you want?" Wolfram asked rudely. Conrad only chuckled.

"Heika was looking for you." Wolfram's eyes widened.

"Why?"

"He wants dancing lessons from what I gathered." The blond sighed in relief.

"Oh…Can't you just do it?"

"He said that he preferred you." Wolfram paused at that comment.

"I told him I would track you down. We should head back now don't you think?" Conrad said in his normal, brotherly tone. Wolfram sat up, and looked down at his hands.

"Yuuri…he wishes to break it off with me." Wolfram said to his hands. Secretly he was praying for advice from his brother, but would never admit it. Conrad tilted his head to one side as he assessed the silent plea for help. He then moved to sit down beside the blond.

"What ever gave you that idea?" Conrad asked curiously.

"He asked me how to annul the engagement. I know he is planning on passing off the next sea stone he finds to me."

"Did he tell you that?" Conrad inquired.

"He didn't have to!" Wolfram snapped, then continued in a softer tone.

"He has never wanted to be engaged to me." The blond stayed that way for a moment, before standing up and brushing off his outfit.

"It matters not. What ever he wants, I will comply to it. I should do whatever he asks as his friend right? I…I'll be going back now." He almost walked away, but stopped.

"Thanks." Wolfram muttered sincerely before mounting his steed and riding away. Conrad sighed and stood up slowly, watching his brother's retreating figure.

"You're wrong." He said to the blond's back.

Fourth Chapter update! I forgot how much I liked this story when I started it! What do you think of it?