Chapter 9: I Do

"This is not good Gwendal." Lady Cecilie stated as she paced back and forth in her study. The stoic man stood off to the side listening to his mother rant.

"They sure as hell picked a terrible time to finally start hitting things off! Right when I am about to finally place my plan in action they go and make it more difficult." Gwendal nodded before responding.

"I agree that this will be tougher now that Yuuri is reciprocating Wolfram's advancements, but I believe that the plan can still be put into motion. After all…It is best for the kingdom." Gwendal finished his thoughts and the blond nodded.'

"I suppose…but the plan now has the chance of truly breaking Wolfram. I do not know if it is worth that."

"It is." Gwendal replied, ending the debate. The ex-queen nodded.

"Then I shall tell our king about it immediately."

"Do you think he will agree to the terms?" Gwendal asked.

"If he knows it is what is best for his kingdom…I believe he will comply."

"He will argue with you. He does not want to injure Wolfram any further." Lady Cecilie sighed at that.

"Yes…that is what makes this so complicated. If Heika had just waited a few more days this whole relationship problem could have been avoided."

"Do tell Heika quickly then mother…Sir Jacoby will be arriving rather late among the guests, but we need Heika to have a speech ready by the time of his arrival." Gwendal said as he left the room. The blond woman sighed again, but then left her study in search of the young king.

"So you see Heika…This could probably be the most important advancement in our kingdom for years to come." Lady Cecilie finished her explanation with a mischievous grin. Yuuri had been confused when the ex-queen had demanded an audience with him alone in the office. She had been acting odd as of late, and Yuuri was quite honestly, scared of her. As much as he hated the proposition in front of him… he had to admit it was something to be considered.

"Why have I not be told of this option earlier? Like when I was first crowned as king?"

"In truth, it has not been an option. Sir Jacoby has long been thought dead throughout the kingdom and no others have his capabilities. As for why we have brought this to you so close to the actual ball, we were not sure how you would react to the news and as you know...you are less than capable of remaining secretive. We also did not know that it would have been such an issue since we did not expect you would actually begin a real relationship with Wolfram this week." Lady Cecilie explained with a hint of admonition. Yuuri narrowed his eyes in concentration and leaned back against his chair.

"He will kill me for this, if I go through with it." Yuuri thought aloud.

"Wolfram will be upset for quite a while, but this is for the best Heika…you know that." Yuuri nodded. Her proposition was completely valid. His decision to follow through with this plan would change his, and his kingdom's lives for the better if he were to go with the plan.

"Why can't we tell Wolfram again? This could really hurt him…" Yuuri questioned.

"Wolfram would try to stop you. He dislikes Sir Jacoby merely because their personalities clash and an unfortunate incident that occurred before you arrived here. Wolfy has no idea what kind of power that Sir Jacoby possesses and how it could be used. Even if we were to explain it to him…he would still stop you out of spite for Jacoby. If we hurt him emotionally…he will be less likely to stop you. It seems unfair, but it is for the best." The ex-queen concluded. Yuuri sighed deeply.

"I'll be gone for just a few days right? Can you keep Wolfram from doing anything rash until then? I can explain it all to him when I return right?"

"Of course. Gwendal will keep him busy with something so that he has no chance to follow after you."

"Argh! This is so wrong! I just started liking him, and now I have to do this?" Yuuri shouted, but then finished in a much quieter tone, "He will never forgive me…not for this"

"You will lose his trust…but you will gain the amount of time you need in order to gain it back when you return." The blond said in an almost hopeful tone. Yuuri nodded.

"Alert Sir Jacoby that I will accept his stone tonight under the set conditions…I'll prepare my speech for the acceptance now…and one for Wolf as well."

Lady Cecilie nodded and left the office contemplating whether or not her decision was the correct one. This was certainly a plan of brilliance, but just as politics had been the downfall of almost every relationship in her life, it could ruin her son's now as well.

"I just finished promising that I was done hurting you…" Yuuri said as he stared out a castle window at the young blond who was helping to prepare the stables for the onslaught of horses that would be arriving later that evening.

"I am so sorry that I have to break that promise so soon." Wolfram felt eyes watching him, and looked up towards the castle to see Yuuri at the window. He gave a small wave and a smile which Yuuri returned sadly. Wolfram noticed something off and motioned for Yuuri to come down. The king nodded, and left the window to meet the blond near the stables.

"You seem a bit off today Yuuri. Is something the matter?" Wolfram questioned as the double black approached. The king shook his head and climbed up a small wood fence to sit on the top. Wolfram took that as a "Yes something is the matter and I'm going to be stubborn and not tell you about it" and joined him on the fence.

"Liar." Wolfram accused. Yuuri cursed Wolf for being so perceptive, and himself for being so transparent. No wonder they hadn't told him until it now.

"Just nervous about tonight I guess. I don't want to do anything stupid." The double black used as a cover. Wolfram bought it.

"I'll be there to keep an eye on you. You do not need to worry." The blond always knew exactly what to say in order to lift his spirits. He would miss the complete blind confidence that Wolfram always seemed to have in him. Yuuri hopped off the fence and turned to rest his elbows on the blonde's knees.

"Do you trust me Wolf?" Yuuri inquired. Wolfram paused and put his hands on Yuuri's arms.

"Of course." He answered wondering what was bringing this on.

"And you know that if I said that I want to be with you…that I meant it right? No matter what happened?" Yuuri questioned. Wolfram was taken aback.

"Uhm…yes?" the blond replied in a confused tone. Yuuri sighed in relief.

"Good. Let's go get something to eat, people will be arriving soon and I'll spend hours greeting everyone." Yuuri stood straighter and placed his hands on Wolfram's knees, just to give him a quick pat and begin walking back towards the castle slowly.

"Yuuri?" Wolfram called out to the king, not yet moved from his place on the fence.

"Yeah Wolf?" Yuuri replied, turning to face him.

"Do you want to be with me?" Wolfram wondered. Yuuri blinked.

"Isn't that what I just said?"

"No…You asked 'if' you were to say that, if I believe you. I would believe you…but you have yet to tell me." Wolfram said matter-of-factly folding his arms neatly in front of his chest. Yuuri chuckled and walked back over to the fence and resting his hands on Wolfram's knees again.

"I'm sorry Wolf…Believe me now when I say this. I want to be with you Wolfram, for now and forever, no matter what adversities come our way. Do you believe me?"

The blond smiled brightly as he threw himself off of the fence and into Yuuri's arms. The king held tightly to the boy and was almost saddened as he heard the answer that Wolfram gave as he knew he was about to lose this trust, perhaps for good.

"I do." Wolfram replied.

Another chapter with tons of changes. I think this clears up a bit though. Thoughts? Questions?