Yuuri had to admit that he had become slightly paranoid. Yesterday morning, coming out of his bedroom, he realized that six soldiers had been standing at their door the whole time. This included two of Wolfram's men. He wasn't sure if they were smiling at him in the friendly way they always do or if something else was behind it. Did Gwendal glare at him because he was late for a meeting, or did it reach his ears that he dared to touch his little brother? But Conrad would surely say something about it, wouldn't he? He would not walk by him in silence, smiling with a little more amusement than usual.
All the pleasant excitement of that night passed the moment he stepped outside and began to wonder if anyone had heard them. He had never considered how soundproof their room was and how many things could be heard in the hallway.
Fact, the walls and doors were thick, and Wolfram's sweet moans were barely audible even to him, but in the back of his mind, there was still the thought that everyone had heard them. That Gwendal would get mad at him in a moment and forbid him to go near Wolfram, sending him back to Bielefeld.
Through it all, he didn't get a chance to enjoy the moment, and before he knew it, Wolfram and Greta had to leave.
He escorted them to the outside courtyard when Adelhard arrived. Wolfram will first go with Greta straight to the port and only then set off for the shrine, so they will be leaving the castle together.
Almost everything was ready. The soldiers who touched the bowls were to be off duty, so the number of guards had to be adjusted accordingly, forming quite a large procession.
He still felt unhappy that he had to stay alone in the castle, but he couldn't show it on him in front of so many people. Especially since quite a few soldiers from Bielefeld, who had not seen him before, had also arrived with Adelhard. So he stood at the top of the stairs, trying to look casual and at least a little bit like a king.
Greta was busy with something at her horse, but Wolfram stood next to him when Adelhard came up to greet them. Beside him, Conrad, Gunter, and two of Wolfram's soldiers stood behind them. Gwendal decided not to appear, and Yuuri was already planning to reproach him later that Greta was unhappy about it.
Adelhard was accompanied by someone else who did not look like a soldier. A lanky man, a tad older than his companion, with his hair cut in a way his mother described as "from the pot." In Yuuri's opinion, this was officially the first mazoku with a bad haircut, so he recognized him immediately. This was the man who vigorously tried to prevent him from seeing Wolfram when he came to pick him up in Bielefeld.
He looked at Wolfram, wanting to ask about him, as he had not felt like asking even his name before, but held back when he saw how tense he was. He stood like a soldier at attention, with his fists clenched at his sides, and stared seriously at the man with his mouth clenched into a tight line. Then he looked at his father reproachfully.
Both men stopped in front of them. The companion tossed back the folds of his coat in a sweeping motion and looked down at Yuuri appraisingly. His sharp gaze made him subconsciously straighten up and puff out his chest. He didn't like that look or the man in general.
Maybe he should insist on going with them after all. He had a bad feeling that if he let Wolfram go with this man, he wouldn't see him again.
"Your Majesty." Adelhard bowed his head low and his companion did the same. So, at least now, he intends to treat him like a king. Earlier, he acted as if he had forgotten this fact, probably knowing that Yuuri was not someone who would reproach him. "I'm glad we have the opportunity to meet again." Adelhard raised his head and smiled in a friendly manner, which Yuuri returned. However, the man next to him only scowled as if to announce that he was not happy at all. Which Yuuri also returned. He had no intention of being friendly to him. Let him know he didn't like him.
"Also glad to see you again," Yuuri replied when Wolfram poked him slightly with his elbow. He was so focused on conveying his dislike that he forgot that he also needed to speak up. "And who is your companion?"
"Lord von Garlen Otwin," the man introduced himself dryly, adding nothing more.
"I knew nothing about your visit." Wolfram looked at Otwin and then back at his father, who smiled apologetically at him.
"Waltorana decided that he would like to have someone to keep an eye on you, given the recent event. Unfortunately, I had no say in the matter."
"I think my people will do a better job of defending me."
"You really think so, even after what happened?" Otwin snorted.
Wolfram stiffened and stared at him with wide-open eyes. He probably didn't expect such a comment from him, and the shock made him unable to answer anything. However, Yuuri had no problem with this. He could forgive him for disliking him, but not for insulting Wolfram's subordinates, especially after what they went through. So, he had a very strong desire to knock him down now. But he knew how it ended last time, so he preferred not to take any chances.
"Maybe you're a little right, Lord Otwin. Having someone so miserable, who can't even fight, around will at least make us not worry about any attack from you."
Otwin's cold eyes bore into him, but Yuuri only smiled with satisfaction. He knew how much mazoku valued strength and fighting ability. After all, even Gunter, a scholar, is also a master sword fighter.
They stared at each other for a moment; Yuuri had no intention of relenting one bit and looking away. But, in the end, it was Otwin who lost it when he looked at Wolfram, who had caught Yuuri under the arm. The expression of displeasure on his face was even more gratifying.
"I hope you don't mind if we don't leave right away, father. I'd like to ask you something first." Wolfram completely ignored Otwin's disapproving gaze, but it was clear from the look on his face that he was satisfied.
"Of course," Adelhard agreed cheerfully and followed them into the castle as Wolfram turned and pulled Yuuri inside.
They entered the small parlor and sat down at a low table. Wolfram didn't let go of his arm the whole time, but he reached into his pocket and took out a white crystal, showing it to his father.
"Do you know anything about it?"
"The wind crystal," Adelhard said immediately after taking the object. Then he furrowed his brow and looked at it under the light. "It's tainted."
"That's what I've already managed to determine myself," sighed Wolfram. "However, we have a problem with counteracting its effect on people. Even after we take the crystal away from them, they are still under its influence."
"The domain of the wind is the mind. So I guess that these crystals affect it in a similar way to crooked rituals."
"Too many people have had contact with them. I doubt we could send everyone to the temple," Conrad said from his place next to the door.
"Yes, that could be troublesome." Adelhard put the crystal back on the table. "But the crystal has much less power, so maybe such treatments won't be needed. Have you tried to destroy it yet?"
"I think probably not yet," Conrad said slowly but then looked at Wolfram, who looked away.
"I haven't succeeded yet," he muttered quietly. He looked like a child caught doing something he shouldn't be doing. Which is what experimenting with these crystals was. But his father said nothing to this and only laughed lightly as if he had only expected this.
"If it is indeed a real wind crystal, I know of only one way in which it can be destroyed. What worries me, however, is their presence. I have no idea how they are created, but if someone else discovered it, it could be problematic."
"If you know how to destroy them, we can pass on to you the ones that have influenced their holders most strongly and see if that has made a difference." Gunter got up and headed for the door, presumably intending to get the crystals. After he left, the room was quiet for a while.
"Is that all you wanted to talk about?" asked Otwin.
"Are you in a hurry?" Wolfram replied dryly.
"We have a strict travel schedule."
"Of course you do." He rolled his eyes and stood up. "My daughter is coming with us. If you speak to her the way you do to me, I will order you to return to uncle on your own. Do you understand?"
Otwin looked at him as if to tell him he was not taking orders from him. Yuuri didn't know what it was like between them, but the king was still above everything, right?
"This is not a simple suggestion, Otwin." He also stood up and straightened up, looking the man straight in the eyes and frowning at him. "I will not tolerate anyone being disrespectful to my family."
"Of course, Your Highness." Otwin squirmed but bowed exaggeratedly and left the room.
Yuuri smiled contentedly. It looked like his practice was starting to do something for him.
"I have the impression that he is worse than I remembered." Wolfram sighed heavily as the door closed behind the man.
"You're not the only one." Adelhard took the crystal from the table and crossed his arms in a manner very reminiscent of Wolfram. "I always thought he liked me, but even I received his harsh comments. Unfortunately, my brother insisted on it too much. He wanted to have someone 'his' by your side."
"We can hope he will upset the king and be sent home." Wolfram grabbed Yuuri under the arm again and smiled at him. He seemed to like it. "Fortunately, we already have some precedent."
"It might be even faster with him. He shouldn't say such things about your subordinates."
"He never liked the idea of me having my own men."
Gunter went inside with a small wooden casket and handed it to Adelhard.
"Please inform us when you destroy them," he said.
"And you me if there have been any changes."
They exchanged shallow bows, and Adelhard slipped the casket under his arm.
"We'd better go. I have no intention of listening to him complain."
They walked back to the outside courtyard. On the way, Yuuri patted Wolfram lightly on the shoulder.
"Just don't kill him," he whispered with amusement.
"It's all up to him."
They walked down the stairs, where Greta was already waiting, and ran up to them, hugging Yuuri tightly.
"Take care, both of you," Yuuri said, returning his daughter's hug.
"And you too," she said, squeezing him tighter and finally letting go. She took a step away from him. "And write to me if anything serious happens. I'll find out everything when I get back anyway, and I think you know how unpleasant that feels."
"I'll try." He laughed nervously, to which both Wolfram and Greta shook their heads.
"Also write to us if you notice anything disturbing in Cavalcade, okay?" Wolfram turned to the girl.
Yuuri felt a chill at the mention of this. For some reason, he assumed that such things only happened in Shin Makoku, although he had no confirmation of this. In that case, would sending Greta be a good idea? Now he wasn't so sure. She would certainly be much safer away from them, but maybe he should send her to his parents instead. They will be happy, and he will be sure that nothing will happen to her. These people won't be able to go to another world, right? So he could still change his mind. Say that she is not going anywhere after all and –
That figure in the mask teleported back then, a voice in his head reminded him. Yuuri had to restrain himself not to flinch in fright, but Wolfram looked concerned at him anyway.
He hadn't spoken to him in a long time, and Yuuri had almost forgotten what it feels like when someone speaks to you in your head. Even if that someone is your other self. Should he worry that he has a split personality? And can the term even apply when the reason for all this is... well, magic?
It's better if all the people you care about don't stay in one place, his other self spoke up again. And although it sounded macabre, Yuuri had to agree with him. He had to do what he could to ensure their safety.
The voice didn't say anything other, but Yuuri had the impression that he was pleased that he agreed with him.
All the soldiers were ready to leave, and Greta said goodbye to him one last time and then went to her horse.
"Just don't do anything stupid in my absence." Wolfram leaned toward him and, to Yuuri's satisfaction, kissed him on the cheek. Fortunately, most people in the square were busy with something else and paid no attention to the royal couple standing behind them.
"I'll try." Yuuri smiled and kissed Wolfram on the forehead.
"You say that often today. Can't you at least promise it fully?"
"All right," he laughed. "I promise not to do anything stupid."
Wolfram smiled contentedly and gave him another hug, then also headed for his horse.
Yuuri returned to the top of the stairs, watching from there as they set off. Wolfram's entire troop rode surrounding him and Greta. Adelhard was at the front, and Otwin was somewhere off to the side, looking excluded. Good.
"I'm guessing you don't quite like him either," he turned to Conrad as the procession left the castle, and they went back inside.
"We never had the opportunity for any interaction," he replied evasively. "Gwen appreciates him for his professionalism, although I also have to agree that he seemed to have changed. He would never have said something like that to Wolfram before."
"You know that doesn't reassure me one bit?"
"Unfortunately."
He really hoped that Otwin had simply turned into a bigger and bigger buffoon over time and nothing else was behind it. He now did not take well to people suddenly changing their behavior. Fortunately, he could be sure that Wolfram's men would thoroughly search him and his belongings and not let him be left alone with their captain. This, at least, was the good thing of making enemies of them.
He marched straight toward his office, and although it shouldn't have come so soon, the loneliness hit him while he was still walking down the corridor. How is he supposed to survive now without the two of them? Not to mention that he won't be able to sleep without Wolfram. It may not have been too long since they could sleep together again, but his body was already too used to it. Fortunately, he still had Conrad, so he won't be completely alone. Still, he won't ask him to sleep with him. After that, even cured of excessive jealousy, Wolfram will kill him.
He opened the door, considering whether to ask Gisela for some sleeping herbs, when his gaze fell on the figure standing next to his desk.
"Oh yeah. You're still you," he muttered as he stepped inside, and Conrad closed the door behind them.
"You're hurting me. Is that how you talk to your best friend?"
"Best friends don't bother you with ambiguous comments."
"And that's where you're wrong. That is the very purpose of their existence." Murata walked up to him and put his arm around his shoulders. "I thought you might be lonely since your boyfriend left, so I came to keep you company."
"Great. I have so much work I could use an extra pair of hands." Yuuri got out of his grasp and moved toward his desk. A stack of papers was already there, waiting for him.
"I had more spiritual support in mind."
"Wolfram was helping me with my work. So, if you want to take his place, start working."
"I would rather not literally take his place." Murata laughed and looked at him, expecting some kind of response, but Yuuri gave him nothing. So he shrugged his shoulders and joined him next to the desk.
"All this being a king for real made you stop being funny altogether."
"Thank you."
"I didn't mean it as a compliment."
"But I'm going to take it that way."
Murata gave him a wry look, and they both laughed. His friend complained a lot the rest of the day but helped him with all the paperwork anyway. The help of someone who used to be a Great Sage proved quite useful with such things.