It's been several minutes since the waiter left them. None of them had uttered a single a single word since. The atmosphere was getting more and more tensed with every passing second. It was as if two complete strangers, meeting for the first time, were left alone to talk without even being introduced, and feeling every bit out of place. Both Conrad and Yuri were, clearly, uncomfortable with the awkwardness hanging thick in the air. Both, musing over their own private thoughts, were desperately glancing sideways so very often, looking for an escape to bolt for.

'I am most definitely going to kill Yozak after this.' Conrad thought, in spite of his heart appreciating his friend's efforts because if Yozak hadn't planned this, he'd never have been able to see Yuri in this different light.

Yuri was looking incredibly handsome. He knew the choice of outfit wasn't Yuri's. He was totally unaware of this world's fashion and a very recently developed one at that. 'No. Yuri's not much interested in stuff such as this. He's usually too simple and yet charming. No. This has to be Yozak's doing.' Conrad thought. Not that Conrad didn't like Yuri's simplicity; on the contrary, he loved it. It was one of the many qualities that made him the person he was and so dear to Conrad. But seeing Yuri in this new light was too good to be missed. Conrad had long ago fallen for Yuri, but right now he was falling all over again. Yuri looked handsome, incredibly so, and-and… SEXY. No other word could describe Yuri at that moment. Conrad was having a lot of trouble to control his adult thoughts and even more trouble to control a certain part of his anatomy. Slowly, a blush was occupying Conrad's face and it was taking all of Conrad's will and patience to appear sober.

Yuri was wearing a suit almost similar to his but a more regal one. The suit was one of the latest fashioned in Shin Makoku, having replaced the traditional closed neck type very recently and hence usually worn by the royal families only and that too only on certain occasions. It was a fitting three-piece type with a V-shaped open collar jacket and coat so as to flaunt the shirt and ascot worn inside appropriately too. It was very simple in appearance, yet an eye-catcher.

His suit was jet black in color with a cream shirt and a blood-red ascot. A large diamond was pinned onto the ascot, breaking the yellow light from the torches into rainbow and scattering it all over their table, which shimmered and moved with the boy's every movement and thereby attracting a lot of attention. His hair, though tried to comb neatly backwards, was scattered roughly in every direction. One could, easily, blame that to the ride from castle to the venue. There was just a small patch of embroidery in cream (color), in the shape of a lion's head wearing a crown and two staffs placed in a cross below it, on the collar of the coat. The attire was made in such a way that it made Yuri appear rather muscular. Not the body-builder type of muscular but rather a hard-working-labor kind of muscular…slim yet strong. In simpler words, Yuri was very alluring. Everything about the boy was very masculine. Even his scent was driving Conrad nuts. 'Yozak truly outdid himself today.' Conrad thought. It was an experience he couldn't have risked to miss. He was going to thank Yozak for this later.

Snapping out of his musings, he looked at Yuri again, who was trying to look calm with quite a satisfying efficiency...at least for the others. Conrad knew that he was far from calm and also knew why. It broke Conrad's heart to see his king, his beloved in that state. The fidgety youth, sitting in front of him, was making him feel extremely bad for being the cause of his discomfort when all that he wanted was for his precious king to stay safe and happy. '…especially with me.' Conrad added mentally. For some reason, Yuri was pointedly ignoring him and had just turned his head away from him so fast that he feared that it might break. It was as if Yuri was disgusted. With him? And although, he was making a good show of covering his act by acting as if inspecting the place, he couldn't fool Conrad. In a spit second, all of Conrad's elated feelings and thoughts came crashing down.

'I don't get it. Yuri, what happened? What made you so uncomfortable around me? I thought you liked me at least as your best friend. Then, what happened to our friendship, that familiar comfort in our relationship now?' Conrad thought looking thoroughly miserable. 'Oh please Yuri, I am not a psychic. I don't know what you're thinking. Open up your heart to me please…my secret love.' Then his shoulders slumped down as he dejectedly added, '…All this shouldn't have happened.'

Suddenly, anger flickered into his eyes giving way to hostility, just like the ever changing flood of emotions that was swarming on his face like a vivid display of fireworks, ever since the start of all this mess. 'I will never forgive Geika for what he's done. Shinou either. How could they be so cruel as to go against Yuri's wishes and use him like this for their own benefit? And that boy has the guts to call him his best friend after all that he had done to him. Were we, the whole demon tribe, not enough for them to play with?' His head fumed.

'How could they simply play with Yuri's life just to break the engagement in spite of knowing full-well, how dangerous the whole procedure was? And not even informing him of any of those before-hand.' Although, both, Murata and Shinou were known to be extremely foxy. Conrad had to admit that this was a new low, even for them.

The feeling, coursing through his veins at the moment, was unbearably sickening. 'What could've happened?'

Suddenly, Conrad's trail of thoughts took to an entirely new direction. A very dangerous direction at that. He knew how much of a traitorous act it was to suspect either Shinou or, even, Murata for trying to puppet and ill-intentionally trick and use Yuri for their own good. He knew perfectly well that given the same scenario for someone else, Conrad would've never even thought of these shameful traitorous thoughts, he might've even defended Shinou and Murata, claiming that they must be doing this for the greater good and in that context, a little bit of trickery and foul-play is acceptable even at the cost of a few lives.' But he couldn't help it. It wasn't just anyone else. It was Yuri that was being played with. His Yuri, and under no circumstances could he accept that. A renewed anger crept from the pit of his stomach to his head, threatening to overtake his entire being. Once again, his eyes flashed an image of the Lion of Ruttenburg. Thankfully, Yuri was too busy to observe.

He couldn't help it. His mind was running wild now. He had no control. He knew he was supposed to see to Yuri's needs, to make him comfortable, to make him feel welcome. It was their date after-all, umm...sort of. But that was beyond his capability now. He was lost, too taken up by his anger, if the slight trembling of his body was anything to go with. He took a few calming breaths so that he could see to reason. There was no point of going out there, kill Murata, try to kill Shinou, destroy the entire temple, earn the title of traitor and be expelled from Shin Makoku or worse... Due to sheer will and after a few deep breaths, he finally got himself under a little bit of control.

'Why is it that even after getting instantly married to Wolfram, Geika never raised any objection or try to find a way to, somehow, undo it? Of course, there has to be some way out of this other than the blood and fire ceremony only.' One thing that Conrad had learned from the experience of his entire lifetime was that there's nothing for certain or unchangeable. There's always a loophole...no matter how invisible, how small, how much out of reach, how practical or how acceptable, but there's always a loophole. Nothing is perfect. And with the knowledge, cunning and experience of someone like The Great Sage, there was no way Geika knew nothing regarding the cancellation of this unintentional marriage or could've been totally satisfied that there was nothing more that could be done. 'No, not a person like him could be fooled enough to assume that.' And yet he did nothing. He didn't even try to change anything. Too quiet on the matter for Conrad's liking. '...unless, of course, he didn't want anything to change.'

He remembered Yozak telling him that Geika was the one to offer Wolfram his hand when he fell in the temple that night. Not Wolfram grabbing his hand accidently to balance himself or something else. He was not a fool. Conrad was well aware of the manner with which Geika used to eye his little brother whenever the two happened to be together. And he knew perfectly well what he saw in his eyes at such times, no matter how little. Conrad knew Murata loved Wolfram to a certain extent, even wanted him sometimes. But he didn't know how much, neither did he like it. But Geika was a sensible man. How could he take advantage of his best friend's shyness to fulfill his own need? Conrad had trusted him with Yuri's well-being, he being his best friend, then how was he proved wrong. Especially when Geika knew Yuri loved Wolfram. Even if not visibly fast or openly acknowledged, but their relationship was defiantly blooming. Things like this took time. If Conrad could see that then why couldn't Geika. How could he simply squish their happiness so easily? There were too many questions hanging in the air with too few answers. And Conrad needed them at any cost, those answers were the key to his Yuri's happiness.

In an instant, several memories from the past came flooding to him. Each memory was one of those private moments between Yuri and Wolfram, on which he, undesirably, happened to intrude upon, much to his lovely younger brother's irritation. He mentally chuckled. Wolfram's furious glare appeared in his mind. His younger brother was way too cute.

He remembered one particular incident when Yuri and Wolfram spent a day off with Greta together in the royal gardens. He was just passing by on his way to Gwendel's office when he saw them and stopped dead in his tracks. Wolfram was playing with Greta with some flowers and Yuri was watching them from a distance. A calm and sweet smile had graced his lips and Conrad remembered how fondly he watched the two of them. He noticed Yuri's eyes flicker to Wolfram every now and then and the secret smile that would grace his lips immediately after. His expression was one of the pure bliss and contentment. An expression that could only arise out of deep love. Nothing else. This was how it was supposed to be between the two. It was even exactly how it actually was between the two. One just had to have a clearer vision to see it.

His mind wandered off to another incidence when Yuri got deeply injured on one of his unexpected excursions. Conrad wasn't there to be able to protect him...a mishap that was still a sore-spot in his heart even now. Yuri might not have been able to survive if Wolfram hadn't been there. When Conrad had gotten the news of the accident, he'd rushed as fast as he could to his beloved Maoh, only to find him resting peacefully on Wolfram's lap. The scene was divine.

Under the dim torch light, it was as if both of them were encased inside a golden halo. But then, Conrad realized that was Wolfram's magic giving Yuri much needed heat in the middle of the frosty winter. Conrad couldn't help but agree that they did look good together and maybe that was how it was meant to be. The love in Wolfram's eyes, while he was so busy trying to nurse Yuri, was unmistakable. Even Yuri, when he'd awaken, didn't objected to anything Wolfram did to him back then, letting him express his love in his own way and, maybe, even enjoy it too. Conrad knew that because he was present there the entire time afterwards; even though Wolfram had tried to dismiss him, to witness every single move, every single word expressing nothing but deep love. He was deeply worried for Yuri back then, and it must have shown as Wolfram hadn't objected to his presence more than once, but even then, he wasn't oblivious to what was growing between the two young adults. Then, how did things led to break up of their engagement?

Somehow, he couldn't believe Yuri's conformation of breaking the engagement because he wanted to. Not after all that he'd seen between the two young fiancés. Besides, the method used was far too cruel. He knew without a doubt that Yuri couldn't do that to anyone, let alone Wolfram. He cared too much for him to take that action on his own will. Something was amiss. Did Geika force Yuri to do that? Even, threatened him for the cause? He had seen people cross all boundaries in the name of love, even if they were misled at that particular moment. Horror gripped his heart. Everything took place after Yuri and Murata went to Earth. What could've happened there? Is Murata truly someone to be wary of? Has he turned against his own best friend? If, so what will happen to Wolfram now? Or Yuri? Geika had every power over Shin Makoku but even so, will he try to take advantage of Yuri in future? Hurt him in the process? If so, then what could Conrad do to protect Wolfram or Yuri? Could he fight Murata, even Shinou, if it came to that? He'll most definitely try. For Wolfram's sake, for his Yuri's sake, for his happiness, he will do everything that he can, Conrad resolved. But even so, something kept telling him, no matter what he did; he wouldn't succeed in his motives against these particular enemies. That if his assumptions came out to be true, he wouldn't be able to protect any of them. Neither his dear little brother Wolfram, nor his beloved Yuri.

The mere thought caused his heart to shatter to pieces and a look of utmost misery crossed his almost poker face at the exact same time when Yuri, finally, managed to gather enough courage to finally look at him. And, as expected, as soon as he caught that broken look on Conrad's face, he dug his depression grave even deeper and crawled to the deepest point into it.

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Yuri had accepted Conrad's offer because…well, simply because he wanted to. His happiness knew no bounds when Conrad had asked him to join. And although, he was very unsure as to what had that meant - had Conrad asked him just because he happened to, unintentionally, intrude upon whatever Conrad was there for and Yuri was his king, so it was customary for Conrad to ask or if he was genuinely pleased to see him; Yuri was unexpectedly happy to hear those words come out of Conrad's mouth. Combined with that pleasant look on Conrad's face and happiness shimmering through his eyes at the sight of Yuri, Yuri felt a bit more confident with his assumption that maybe Conrad will start to like him in that way soon. Even the waiter smiled at the sight of the two of them together, Yuri had noticed. At that moment, Yuri had felt complete. His heart swelled with happiness. And the sight in front of him was priceless. He couldn't help but blush furiously at the trail his thoughts were, slowly taking. But he had no control over that and…

'…Oh my god! What's happening down there?' Yuri's eyes widened and his cheeks reddened when he felt something hot and stiff touch his inner thigh. He wasn't an idiot. He knew exactly what that was. He was a man after all and had engaged himself in some private actions (not with anyone, mind you) which had had similar effects. What horrified as well as excited him was that he never, even in his wildest dreams, had thought that this would happen to him while looking at another man.

Sitting, right in front of him, was Conrad…the brave, loyal, kind-hearted knight - Conrad…an incredibly sexy Conrad, with his hair neatly swept back and that tailor-fit pristine white suit clad all over his muscular body accentuating his broad shoulders. It was a similar type of suit as he'd worn (coincidence? Or maybe, Yozak and Wolfram. He sighed.) but had an intricately embroidered light-brown curvy-patterns across the right side of the suit's chest, both the shoulders as well as on both hand-cuffs and a little bit on the bottom left which matched well with his overall brown heritage. A single thick gold chain fastened on the suit from his left-shoulder to his left chest pocket, glinting every now and then under the bright flickering light coming from the torches planted strategically throughout the place. The suit-coat tapered gently unto his waist and then spread gently outwards as it lay harmlessly at his muscular bubble-shaped hips. Below, his trousers clung tightly at his legs flaunting his strong thigh muscles. It was a sight to behold. Yuri peeked a glance towards him while entertaining his thoughts once again. At the same time, Conrad looked at him and their eyes met. Conrad flashed a disarming smile in his direction and Yuri felt weak in the knees. He returned his smile but soon his expression turned somber as his previous thoughts and the events of the past few weeks, all of a sudden, came crashing onto him.

He remembered how Conrad used to flash that very same intimidating special smile, smile meant only for him, in the past at him so very often – while playing baseball, in the office doing work, on missions, in the library while studying with Gunter, in the baths. He blushed at that last thought. It wasn't anything intimate…at least not at that time. He blushed again. But things had changed since then. And the two best buddies had become strangers somehow. Yuri sighed, his eyes, slowly, getting clouded with past memories and buried emotions.

'Oh! How much I wish you'd accepted me before, Conrad. I love you so much, Conrad. My Conrad. I want to tell you so much but…' Yuri sighed. 'Why Conrad? Why did you reject me? You yourself said you'd enjoyed that kiss then…What does all of this mean?' Sadness, once again, crept into his fathomless dark eyes. Unknown to him, Conrad was watching him at that instant, mirroring his very expression.

Conrad was once again examining the finely crafted wooden table or beautifully embroidered table-cloth, Yuri wasn't sure which, by the time Yuri looked at him again. The torch-light was glinting off his hair creating a golden halo over him. His hair had a hint of red and all too soon, Yuri's guilt gave way to awe-inspiring admiration. Chaste love bloomed in his heart once again making his chest swell. The feeling was so strong that it showed on his face. Too bad, everyone saw it but Conrad. Slowly, his eyes wandered to examine the love of his life some more.

Conrad hadn't thought it necessary to wear the inner jacket and tie and had purposely left the top two buttons of his silky sky-blue shirt undone, revealing a V-shaped patch of smooth light-tan skin. Yuri couldn't help but notice to his utter predicament. The mere sight made him blush furiously. That had also been one of the reasons why Yuri couldn't look directly at Conrad. His mind was running wild. And although, he was feeling a bit (ok, a lot) shy, he couldn't deny that certain part of him wanted to see more and more of Conrad in that way. It was as if a certain wild animal, unknown to him, had hidden deep inside of him all along and had decided to make an appearance now, clawing Yuri's insides to do something. Unknowingly, his mouth flooded like a hungry wolf that comes across food after several days of starvation. When Yuri realized his thoughts, his blush deepened and he almost turned his neck 180 degree in order to hide away from Conrad but quickly recovered and pretended as if he was just examining the place.

After several minutes of looking here and there, trying to calm himself down, he started looking, seriously looking around. He watched the decorations, other tables, food kept on them, people sitting all around and finally into a few eyes. To his utter embarrassment, each any every pair of eye was looking towards them. Some secretly, some blatantly. While some looked away quickly at being caught, clearly embarrassed; some fixedly kept looking directly into his eyes. In the end, he had to accept defeat.

Yuri was feeling every bit out of place to be in a predicament of a situation as he was already in. He would've preferred to be somewhere alone with his thoughts. And even if Yozak and Wolfram had intended this encounter to be a confrontation, Yuri wasn't exactly sure if their choice of the background was anything near right. 'Go public to pour your hearts out and quell past disputes?' Honestly. What happened to Yozak's sense of propriety and intelligence?' Yuri thought. 'Maybe I should consider demoting Yozak and Wolfram.' Yuri couldn't even begin to fathom why, exactly, was Wolfram there in the first place. Currently, he should be off to somewhere unknown, sulking or, maybe, drawing bounties on Yuri's head. If Conrad was right and Yozak and Wolfram were there to hook them up, then how did this miracle occur? 'Wolfram trying to hook me up with Conrad. But why? What the hell's happening?' Yuri's mind was swimming.

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Chapter written by is_sm. I hope you like it.

I'm sorry to those on the alert list getting this multiple times. There were technical difficulties involving the chapter and had to be taken down for editing more than once sorry for the trouble.

This is the final version!