Moving on

by chop4tess

While in Big Shimaron on a secret mission Yuri and his party are attacked by bandits. Wolfram stays behind in order to protect Yuri but he goes missing as a result. Everyone except Yuri believes Wolfram to be dead. But with their paths divided will Yuri and Wolfram ever meet again?

6. Blood is thicker than water

Disclaimer: I do not own KKM or any of its characters

This chapter was updated and reviewed in January 2021.

Please enjoy!

Chapter six: Blood is thicker than water

(Bielefeld lands – 9 weeks and three days later)

The air echoed with the sound of steel striking steel. Wolfram jumped backwards as a sword cut the air before him with a piercing whistle. Sweat dripped from his brow and into his eyes but Wolfram didn't dare wipe it away. A single second of distraction would be enough for his opponent to land the killing blow. His muscles were starting to cramp and his chest rose and fell heavily as he gasped for breath. He didn't know how long this deadly ballet had been going on for but it felt like a lifetime.

His opponent started to circle him and Wolfram turned on the spot to keep him in view. He took the brief respite to suck in great lungful's of air and try to calm his racing heart. He could feel his pulse hammering in his neck and temples. Wolfram licked his lips, tasting salt, and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, still turning on the spot and keeping the man before him in his direct line of sight. His opponent today was one of his Uncle Waltorana's guards and he wasn't going easy on Wolfram. He attacked with the swiftness of a striking snake and the force of a wild bear. Had Wolfram been in peak condition he could have easily matched the guard blow for blow.

The guard leaped forward with no warning, swinging his sword at Wolfram's head. Wolfram brought up his own sword to block the attack. The force behind the swing almost caused his arm to buckle. Wolfram gritted his teeth and locked his elbow in place, refusing to give an inch. The guard, Wolfram couldn't remember his name, smirked and curled his free hand into a fist. Wolfram had only a second to leap backwards as the guard's left hand shot forwards to punch him in the stomach. He felt he guard's fist graze his stomach as he stumbled backwards. Wolfram whipped his sword down in a vicious cut trying to take advantage of the guard's exposed shoulder. But his sword simply crashed against the guard's own blade. Wolfram stepped quickly backwards to give himself some room and the guard let him retreat.

As Wolfram moved he spotted Casper watching them. Casper's face was white and his jaw tight with tension. Wolfram could tell by the set of his shoulders that he wasn't happy. But Casper was never happy about the way Wolfram was handling his training. Casper felt that he was pushing himself too hard, and that he would only make his injures worse, and therefore increase the time it would take for him to fully heal. But Casper didn't understand. He wasn't a soldier, no one relied on Casper to lead them into and out of a war and there were no expectations lying heavy on his shoulders. Casper didn't know how humiliating it felt to be reduced to a shadow of his former glory. He used to be someone his men could look up to and respect. Now they looked at him with pity and asked him if he needed help as if Wolfram were some decrepit old man. It drove Wolfram crazy.

The guard attacked again but Wolfram was ready this time. He blocked and parried as he waited for an opening. Half of the skill of fencing was being patient and bidding your time. Strike when your opponent didn't expect it and strike hard. But the guard was skilled and he used his extra height and weight to his advantage, pushing Wolfram back towards the edge of the white circle drawn in chalk on the ground. If Wolfram stepped over the circle then he would lose by default. Wolfram drew on reserves he didn't know he possessed and jerked to the side before the guard could push him back too far. He spun around behind the guard and lashed at his unprotected back. The guard twisted around to bring up his sword to block the attack, but just as Wolfram wanted, the action caused him to overbalance. Wolfram leapt forward and forced the guard back with a hail of continuous attacks, not giving the guard a moment to regain his footing. The guard stumbled and stepped backwards over the line.

"Out!" The referee, another of Waltorana's guards, shouted. Wolfram stepped back breathing heavily. The world was spinning and Wolfram felt light-headed and dizzy. For a moment Wolfram wondered if he would pass out.

"Well played My Lord." The guard bowed respectfully at Wolfram who nodded slowly. He didn't trust himself to speak just yet. The world may have stopped spinning but everything was still a little blurry around the edges. He breathed in deep through his mouth and out through his nose. His heart was hammering so hard he feared it would jump straight out of his chest.

"So are you done running yourself into the ground for the day?" Wolfram glanced at Casper. The young mazoku looked as angry as he sounded. His brows were drawn together in a tight frown and his mouth was set in a thin angry line.

"I'm fine," Wolfram protested even as he swayed uncertainly on his feet. A muscle in Casper's jaw twitched.

"Of course you are," Casper replied sarcastically. "Being unable to stand up straight is solid proof of your good health."

"I don't need you to fuss over me." Wolfram replied hotly. He turned and walked back towards his Uncle's mansion ignoring the way he stumbled slightly. Casper followed him and Wolfram closed his eyes tightly in exasperation before opening them again. He didn't want to fight but Casper was a stubborn ass who wouldn't listen to reason.

"So you're just going to keep pushing yourself until you collapse is that it?" Casper snapped. His violet eyes sparked fire and Wolfram tried to ignore the way those eyes made his blood run hot.

"I am merely in training to regain muscle strength and tone." Wolfram struggled to control his temper.

"There are better ways of accomplishing that! If you keep this up you're going to burn out and then you'll be even worse off." Casper sighed in exasperation. "Why can't you just take it slow?"

"We've been over this Casper," Wolfram growled, hoping that Casper would take the hint and drop the subject. Naturally, Casper ignored the implied warning.

"Yes we have, and I shall keep bringing it up until you realise that by putting yourself through this madness you're doing more harm than good!"

"I have to do this." Wolfram replied stubbornly.

"You have to kill yourself in some misguided attempt to improve your fitness?" Casper replied with an arched eyebrow.

"I have to be better than this!" Wolfram whipped around to glare at Casper. The world spun for a few seconds, throwing him momentarily. "You don't understand Casper." Wolfram continued once the world settled again.

"Then make me understand." Casper replied coldly.

"I am a military commander Casper!" Wolfram stepped close and snarled in Casper's face. "My men depend on me to lead them into and out of battle. I am supposed to set an example for them to follow!"

"I didn't realise we were at war. I must have missed that notice." Casper's voice was ice. He didn't back down in the face of Wolfram's fiery temper.

"That's not the point!" Wolfram almost yelled. "I have to be the best, the fastest, the strongest otherwise I'm nothing!"

"You're not nothing, Wolfram. You could never be nothing." Casper's voice softened slightly but his eyes still held their conviction.

"Look at me Casper! I could barely hold my own against my Uncle's guard! How are my men supposed to look to me in admiration when I can't even best some guard in a straight fight?" Wolfram's voice cracked slightly and he hated himself for it. Casper stared at him for several minutes without saying anything.

"Wolfram, the only person who expects you to be the best is you. You're drowning yourself under the weight of your own expectations. Give yourself time."

"I don't have the luxury of time." Wolfram snapped. Casper's eyebrows shot up.

"Really? Do you have some tournaments lined up that you didn't tell me about?"

"Don't be stupid," Wolfram snapped.

"Then don't make stupid remarks," Casper countered easily. "You have all the time in the world to heal and regain your strength so why do you insist on this fool's errand to force it to happen so fast?" Wolfram clenched his jaw and said nothing. Realisation dawned in Casper's eyes. "It's because of the wedding isn't it?" Wolfram looked away but his silence was all the confirmation that Casper required.

Last week Wolfram had received his official invitation to Yuri and Abby's wedding. The invitation had been very pretty, printed on thick expensive paper with elegant curling script, Yuri's official seal pressed into red wax and done up with a red ribbon. After a few seconds wondering whether to laugh or cry, Wolfram had torn the invitation up into little pieces before putting the bits in a bowl and setting fire to them. Casper had found Wolfram's savage delight in the destruction slightly alarming but had wisely not interfered.

"Wolfram –"

"I don't want to hear it." Wolfram turned on his heel and marched off. He didn't want to talk about Yuri's wedding or his feelings about the whole sordid affair. He knew that Casper was only trying to help but the wounds on Wolfram's heart were just too raw right now. Wolfram cursed silently as Casper fell into step beside him instead of backing off and leaving him alone.

"You don't have anything to prove to him." Casper persisted. Wolfram didn't need to ask who Casper was referring to.

"Drop it Casper I'm not in the mood." Wolfram said darkly.

"I will not 'drop it' if he is the reason why you're pushing yourself to exhaustion. Damn it all Wolfram, four months ago you were unconscious!" Casper's frustration bled out into his voice.

"You don't get it so stop talking about things you don't understand."

"Well that hurt." Casper said stiffly. "Look, I know you want him to think that his marriage to Lady Caz isn't affecting you at all. I know you want him to think that you don't care. I know you want everyone to look at you and see the cold arrogant son of a bitch they all remember because then you're safe from having to deal with how you really feel."

"How dare –" Wolfram turned to Casper his face colouring. Casper met his anger head on, his icy calm dowsing the fire of Wolfram's anger.

"Oh I dare Wolfram Von Bielefeld because I know that your anger is merely your defence tactic. You don't want to talk about how you feel so you lash out with your anger to get people to back off." Casper moved closer so he and Wolfram were nose to nose. "Well tough luck Wolfram, I'm not going to back off and you do not intimidate me." Wolfram spluttered angrily but nothing came out. "You can wear a mask in front of everyone else but you can't fool me. I know you too well."

"I…you…" Wolfram stopped talking. Casper did know him. In fact his insight into Wolfram's inner secrets and fears scared the hell out of Wolfram at times. He had no idea how Casper had figured him out so fast. "I know what I'm doing." Wolfram said defensively.

"Do you?" Casper looked into Wolfram's eyes and into his soul. Wolfram flinched back.

"I don't need to explain myself to you," Wolfram muttered. Arguments between them were rare but always passionate. Both of them were stubborn so once they had taken up opposite sides of an argument it was near impossible to make either of them shift.

"No you don't," Casper agreed, "but what you seem to be conveniently forgetting is that I've seen you at your lowest moment, beaten bloody and lying on a filthy floor, and I've never thought of you as weak." Wolfram's breath caught in his throat. "It would be a shame if I risked my life to save you from the bandits only for you to kill yourself from over-exertion."

"That's a low blow." Wolfram muttered.

"I'll resort to any dirty tactic if makes you listen to me." Casper's lips twitched upwards and Wolfram felt the fight drain out of him. He was suddenly aware of the pain in his muscles, his exhaustion and how drained he felt. Casper reached out and placed a hand on Wolfram's upper arm and squeezed gently. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone. Just being alive and holding your head high is proof of how strong you are. Don't hurt yourself over him. He's not worth it."

"I just don't want to think," Wolfram admitted quietly. "If I train all the time I don't have time to think. If I push myself then the pain in my body eclipses the pain in my chest. If I'm so tired I can't stand up straight then I don't dream at night." Wolfram wouldn't look at Casper. He kept his eyes on the ground but he felt Casper's hand tighten on his arm. "I don't want to fight with you anymore, Casper." Wolfram heard Casper sigh softly.

"I only fight with you because I'm worried about you. I care about you Wolfram and I can't watch you hurt yourself this way. Your true strength lies within you not in your physical muscles. I know you'll get through this. It may not happen tomorrow or the day after but you're going to be ok." Casper gently touched his forehead to Wolfram's. Wolfram closed his eyes and tried not to think about how close Casper's lips were or how easy it would be to tilt his head just so and close the gap between them.

"Hey Wolfram!" Wolfram and Casper leapt apart like scandalous lovers caught in the act. Wolfram looked around and smiled as he saw Greta running towards him in the new pale yellow dress he'd brought for her. He'd had no reason to buy Greta a new dress and she didn't need one, he'd brought it just because he could. It wasn't that long ago when Wolfram had truly believed he would never see Greta ever again.

"Oh hi Greta, what have you been getting up to today?" Wolfram smiled and hoped that Greta hadn't noticed how close he and Casper had been standing. Greta beamed at him with a smile as bright and sunny as her dress. If she'd noticed anything she was doing a good job of hiding it.

"I've been learning how to dance the waltz with Ms Adriane!" Greta grinned in excitement. "She said I was a natural."

"I'm sure you were beautiful." Wolfram smiled, reaching out to ruffle Greta's curls. He ignored the twisting in his stomach at the mention of dancing lessons. Greta had been named the flower girl for Yuri and Abby's wedding which Wolfram knew was a great honour. Greta's role consisted of walking up the aisle ahead of Yuri and Abby spreading flower petals as symbols of love, commitment and purity. Wolfram privately thought that the ship had long since sailed on the latter and the former was dubious at best, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Such talk was unsuitable for his daughter's young ears.

Being the flower girl meant that Greta was to have a new dress made especially for the occasion. She should have returned to Shinmakoku last week for her fittings but she had refused to go. Wolfram knew he shouldn't use Greta's love for him against Yuri but he couldn't help but feel a thrill of satisfaction knowing that Greta would rather be with him and Casper than Yuri and Abby. A letter from Yuri pleading Greta return to the castle had convinced her that if she didn't return to have her dress fitted then Gunter really would suffer a complete emotional breakdown. Having to organise a Maoh's wedding within three months was stressful enough without the added pressure of having dresses that didn't fit correctly. Greta was leaving first thing tomorrow for Shinmakoku with an escort of ten hand-picked men from Wolfram and Waltorana's personal guard to accompany her. While he would miss his daughter Wolfram couldn't face the idea of going back to Blood Pledge Castle just yet. In fact he wasn't entirely sure if he was even going to go to the wedding.

"Who was your dancing partner?" Casper asked bringing Wolfram out of his thoughts. Greta turned her brilliant smile to him. Casper and Greta had become close friends during the past nine weeks. The two were always sharing secrets or telling jokes.

"Ms Adriane's son, Amell, he's pretty good too." Greta added almost as an after-thought. Casper laughed and Wolfram smiled.

"I'm sure you made a very elegant couple." Wolfram retrieved his hand from Greta's curls.

"What have you been doing, Wolfram?" Greta asked cheerfully.

"Having the seven bells knocked out of him," Casper interrupted before Wolfram could answer. Wolfram dug an elbow into Casper's ribs which Casper dodged laughing. Greta smiled but her eyes clouded with concern.

"Are you alright, Wolfram?" Greta sounded far too serious. She chewed her lip and looked over Wolfram as if to convince herself that Wolfram was still in one piece.

"Of course I am Greta." Wolfram soothed. "There's no need to worry about me."

"Well, you shouldn't push yourself so hard!" Greta pointed a threatening finger at Wolfram, her features screwed up in a scowl. "You'll make yourself ill."

"How long has this brainwashing of my daughter been going on for, Casper?" Wolfram asked in monotone. Casper gave him an innocent look that Wolfram didn't buy for a second.

"I would never stoop to such tactics. Besides, Greta is a very smart Lady and she arrived at the same conclusion as me regarding your lack of investment in your health without any prompt."

"Sure she did," Wolfram drawled in disbelief. Casper just smiled sweetly at him. Wolfram couldn't fail to notice the exact same smile on Greta's face. "The pair of you is plotting against me, I can tell."

"Someone has to take care of you." Greta answered. Casper sniggered and Wolfram vowed to deal with him later.

"Thank you for your concern Greta, but I am fine I can assure you." Wolfram shot Casper a black look that was cheerfully ignored. Greta giggled and Wolfram noticed the not-so-sneaky wink that Casper gave her. "Greta, from now on treat anything this guy has to say with the deepest suspicion." Wolfram warned giving Casper a dark look. "And you, stop turning my daughter against me."

"I'm not," Casper protested.

"He isn't," Greta said at the same time. Wolfram placed his hands on his hips and pursed his lips as he regarded the two grinning devils before him.

"Your daughter and I are simply combining forces to present a united front." Casper added.

"So you are plotting against me?" Wolfram said in mock horror.

"Nope," Casper grinned, "we are simply defeating the forces of ignorance and bull-headedness. Aren't we Greta?" Casper turned to Greta who nodded fiercely.

"Yep," Greta agreed.

"I knew it was a bad idea to introduce you two." Wolfram sighed. "You both had a taste for causing mischief."

"I most certainly do not!" Casper protested in mock hurt. "I am the very example of decorum and civilised behaviour."

"Oh yes?" Wolfram said in disbelief as he turned to face Casper directly. "Remind me who it was who pushed me into the lake four days ago while we were out on a picnic, because he looked a lot like you."

"Ah, that was my evil twin. He likes to pop up in quiet moments and cause havoc and mayhem." Casper said, completely serious. Greta giggled while Wolfram raised his eyebrows. "But I do recall you getting your own back, even if you took your revenge out on the wrong person." Casper grinned and Wolfram blushed slightly. After being pushed into the lake, fully clothed, Wolfram had pretended he couldn't swim prompting Casper to rush to his aid. Once Casper was within reach Wolfram had grabbed him and dunked him under the water. A water fight had immediately followed with Greta cheering them on from the side lines.

"That was fun!" Greta laughed.

"We had to ride back completely soaked." Wolfram snorted. He could distinctly remember the way Casper's soaked clothes had clung to every curve and contour of his muscled body. Even now the memory made Wolfram feel hot all over.

"The maid had a fit when she saw us trying to sneak in the back." Casper snorted with laughter. "She said we were ruining the rug."

"Then Wolfram told her the rug was ugly and needed replacing anyway!" Greta chimed in.

"And the poor maid didn't dare argue against Wolfram so she turned red trying to hold in her protests!" Casper sniggered.

"Wolfram was right though, the rug is ugly!" Greta made a face. Casper laughed and Wolfram smiled trying to force thoughts of a soaking wet Casper from his mind.

"I'm sorry to interrupt the fond memories, but I need to head off for a bath so I will leave you two alone." Wolfram paused and gave Casper a narrowed eyed glare. "No more brainwashing my daughter." Casper held up his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"It's ok Wolfram; Casper said he would read to me before dinner." Greta piped up with a smile.

"Oh did he?" Wolfram grinned as Casper blushed self-consciously. "Which book is he reading from?"

"The book of fairy tales Yuri brought me for my birthday." Greta beamed. "Casper does the voices and everything!"

"You big softy," Wolfram scoffed although he was secretly pleased. The two of them seemed happy and relaxed in the other's company and that in turn helped Wolfram to relax. He knew that Greta was perfectly safe in Casper's care.

"I can't help it if I'm helpless before Greta's big brown eyes." Casper defended himself with a grin. "I bet you can't resist their powers of persuasion any more than I can." Casper was right, but Wolfram wasn't about to admit it.

"I shall see you both at dinner tonight." Wolfram kissed Greta's head and turned to walk away.

"I'll come by your room and pick you up shall I?" Casper called after Wolfram.

"Sure thing," Wolfram waved over his shoulder. He was already looking forward to sinking waist deep in hot water. The hot water would help sooth his aching muscles. He glanced over his shoulder to see Greta and Casper chatting away and he smiled fondly. Those two really are thick as thieves. Wolfram chuckled to himself.

:-:

Later that evening after his bath, Wolfram stood before the full length mirror gazing at his body with a critical eye. He was still skinny but he had put on weight over the past two months. His skin was in much better condition and his hair was no longer brittle. At least with the colour back in his cheeks he no longer looked like a corpse brought back to life. Wolfram reached up and gently ran a finger down a thick white scar that marked his lower stomach just above his left hip. Most of his wounds had healed without scars but there were a few he would always carry as physical reminders of his captivity. Wolfram clenched his hands. Don't think about it, he told himself. He'd tried to find out what had happened to the bandits and the news was that several of them had been captured and put on trial. There were rumours that their leader was dead. But it was the job of Big Shimaron's army to mop up the rest of them.

Wolfram turned around and looked over his shoulder to see his back in the mirror. The thin ugly white scars that marred his back stood out against his naturally pale skin. They seemed to blaze with a light of their own drawing the eye. Wolfram squeezed his eyes shut as the memories rose unbidden in his mind.

Pain, red hot and blazing white, it burns like fire.

Humiliation, shame… oh please just kill me now and let it be done.

Wolfram buried his face in his hands as he started to tremble. He sucked in deep shaky breaths and bit down hard on his lip. The sharp pain and bitter tang of blood brought him back to the present and out of his head. Wolfram reached out with shaking hands to grab his clothes and throw them on not looking at his reflection in the mirror. He didn't want to see how ugly he had become. He didn't want to remember.

A knock on the door made Wolfram raise his head. He shook off the bad memories and forced his face into a blank mask as he strode towards the door and opened it. His Uncle stood opposite him taking Wolfram by surprise. He had been expecting Casper. "Uncle, what can I do for you?"

"May we speak for a moment?" Waltorana asked. Wolfram stepped back and gestured for Waltorana to enter. Waltorana strode into the room looking around as if he were expecting to see someone else in the room. Wolfram frowned in confusion as he pushed the door shut. As his attention was on his Uncle he didn't notice the door catch on the latch and swing partly open.

"Is something wrong, Uncle?" Wolfram asked fixing his uniform jacket. Waltorana sighed before turning to face Wolfram.

"How is your training progressing?" Waltorana asked the question throwing Wolfram completely.

"Um, fine Uncle, I am regaining muscle tone and my stamina is improving." Wolfram eyed his Uncle. "Forgive me Uncle, but I don't believe you came here to ask me about my training." Waltorana grimaced and nodded. He took a breath as if mentally preparing himself. Wolfram swallowed nervously.

"You are correct Wolfram; I came here to ask you about the Falken boy."

"Casper? What about him?"

"What is he still doing here?" Waltorana asked bluntly. Wolfram opened his mouth but the words didn't come so he shut it again. "I realise you wanted to show your appreciation to him for his efforts in your rescue but don't you think this has gone on for long enough?" For several minutes Wolfram was speechless with shock.

"Uncle, Casper saved my life. If it wasn't for 'his efforts' I would still be a captive of the bandits, or dead in a ditch somewhere." Wolfram couldn't stop the shudder than ran through him.

"I am aware of that." Waltorana answered crisply.

"Are you, because you haven't been very pleasant to him, in fact you've been treating him like a servant!"

"Wolfram, your emotions are clouding your judgement." Waltorana frowned. "The boy does not belong here and it's time for him to leave. If it is a reward he wants I'm sure I can gift him with a token of my gratitude."

"Casper doesn't want a reward and he's never asked for one!" Wolfram exclaimed in shock and horror. "How can you think so little of him? He risked his life to save me and at the time he had no idea who I was!"

"How can you be so sure he didn't recognise you?" Waltorana asked calmly. "You said you lost your memory until the boy's father reminded you by speaking your name. Maybe that was his plan all along?"

"What? You're not making any sense Uncle." Wolfram was starting to get a headache.

"Why didn't the boy's father come to see you sooner? You told me you were at the horse stud for several weeks. How do you know that they weren't feeding you some kind of drug that blocked your memory? Maybe he wanted to keep you ignorant until a time of his choosing in order to earn your gratitude and thus gain himself a nice social promotion."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this." Wolfram said quietly shaking his head.

"It makes sense Wolfram." Waltorana spoke as if there was no possible room for doubt. It made Wolfram want to punch him.

"It makes no sense at all! Why would Casper do something like that?"

"Come now Wolfram, no one wants to be stuck on a farm for all their life. He saw an opportunity to escape his hard life and to gain the favour of the Ten Nobles while he did so."

"That's ridiculous! Casper lived a very comfortable life on his father's farm and he loves horses. Casper is a good man Uncle, why are you trying to make him out to be some scheming low-life whose only interest is what he can get for himself?" Wolfram started to pace. Anger rolled around his gut forcing him to move to burn off the excess energy.

"I'm just trying to prepare you for the possibility that the boy may not be what he appears." Waltorana frowned as he watched his nephew pace. "Why are you so upset over this? The boy is the son of a horse breeder."

"'The boy' has a name," Wolfram pointed out icily. "And I am upset because you are being rude about my friend for no reason other than your unfounded suspicions. Casper hasn't asked me for anything, in fact he's made it clear on several occasions that he doesn't want anything from us."

"Perhaps the object of his desires is more difficult than mere trinkets to obtain." Waltorana crossed his arms. Wolfram blushed at the implication in his Uncle's voice.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Wolfram strode over to his bedroom window and stared out. He could see his reflection staring back at him with wide eyes and red cheeks.

"Several of my men have told me that he has been looking at you."

"He is allowed to look at me Uncle; you're looking at me right now." Wolfram replied in a snarky tone. He hoped his Uncle couldn't hear his heart thumping in his chest or noticed the hitch in his breathing. Wolfram had noticed the way Casper looked at him. Over the past couple of weeks he'd glanced Casper's way to see those violet eyes burning with a fire that stole all the air from his lungs and made his legs go weak at the knees. Their play fight in the lake a few days ago was a perfect example. The way Casper had grappled with him in the shallows yet been so gentle. The way Casper had laughed, the water glistening in his hair like diamonds. Wolfram remembered the way Casper had looked at him that day. The heat in Casper's eyes had had Wolfram thinking of things he hadn't thought of in many years. But Casper would notice Wolfram looking and, just like the mist on a hot summer morning, the heat would vanish and Casper would give him one of his goofy smiles making Wolfram wonder if he had imagined the whole thing.

"I think you know exactly what I am talking about." Waltorana replied stiffly. Wolfram flinched and berated himself for it. "Wolfram, you are a Bielefeld and at one point you were to become the Maoh! I cannot allow that boy to put his hands on you." Waltorana said it so matter-of-fact the implications behind his statement were almost lost.

"Casper wouldn't do such a thing!" Wolfram snapped even as his cheeks burned hot. The sudden mental image of Casper running his hands across his bodymade his head spin. Suddenly it was too hot in the room and all the oxygen had been burned away. Wolfram threw open the window and took deep gulps of the cool air that rushed into the room. The wind had been picking up steadily through the day and as the sun slipped over the horizon painting the sky in shades of pink, red and orange. Wolfram could see clouds building on the horizon. "And as for being chosen to be the next Maoh, Yuri returned making that point void. I don't see what that has to do with my friendship with Casper." Wolfram spoke once he had regained his breath.

"Wolfram if you refuse to see the truth then I shall have to take matters into my own hands." Waltorana threatened obviously loosing what little patience he had. Wolfram spun around to face his Uncle. The threat in his Uncle's voice left him freezing cold.

"What do you mean by that?"

"As your Uncle it is my job to protect you from those who mean to do you harm." Waltorana walked forward and placed a hand on Wolfram's shoulder. "I am doing this for your own good."

"I can think for myself Uncle!" Wolfram exploded making Waltorana take a step back in surprise. "I am not a child anymore. I can make my own decisions and I can deicide for myself who I wish to be friends with!"

"Wolfram you are not thinking clearly –"

"I am thinking perfectly clearly!" Wolfram snapped. "Casper is my friend and he has done nothing to warrant any suspicion regarding his strength of character. If he finds me attractive then considering my current condition I will take that to be a compliment!" Wolfram narrowed his eyes at his Uncle and crossed his arms over his chest. "I believe that your attempt to paint Casper as some sleazy sex fiend is simply because he doesn't have Noble blood."

"I am suspicious of his intentions towards you. You are vulnerable right now and not only because of your physical state. I know the annulment of your engagement with the Maoh has been hard on you and that boy is clearly trying to take advantage of the situation." Waltorana matched Wolfram's scowl.

"I am insulted that you would presume I could be so easily taken advantage of!" Wolfram snapped.

"Seeing how easily this boy has made his way into our family home I seriously doubt your thoughts on the subject are brought about with a clear head." Waltorana scoffed. Wolfram drew himself up to his full height and felt his recently returned maryoku stir into life inside him. If the door hadn't swung open and the subject of his and his Uncle's discussion walked into the room, Wolfram wasn't sure what he would have done.

"Forgive me for interrupting My Lord Bielefeld but perhaps it would have been prudent to approach me with your concerns so I might ally them?" Casper bowed gracefully before straightening up. He didn't look at Wolfram.

"So I can add eavesdropping to the list of your undesirable traits?" Waltorana recovered quickly from the unexpected interruption. Wolfram wondered how much Casper had heard and felt his face flush with embarrassment.

"I make a point of putting people right when they speak ill of my character." Casper replied smoothly. "I did not mean to listen in but the door was open and I heard my name mentioned."

"Why should I believe anything you have to say?" Waltorana asked.

"My Lord, I speak only the truth. If you still feel that I should not reside in your home after hearing my defence then I shall leave as per your wishes." Wolfram gasped aloud. The thought of Casper leaving physically hurt. It was as if someone was squeezing his heart in a giant hand. Neither Waltorana nor Casper looked in his direction although Wolfram saw Casper's hand twitch.

"Very well," Waltorana inclined his head.

"First of all, until I met Wolfram in the most unfortunate of circumstances I had never met any of the royal persons before. While I do have connections to the Gyllenhaal and Kabernikov families I had never travelled outside of the nearest town before." Casper began. It had taken a bit of convincing on Wolfram's part but Casper had finally started calling him by his first name when in the company of others.

"You have family connections to the Ten Noble families?" Wolfram interrupted. "You didn't tell me that."

"I didn't think it important." Casper glanced sideways at Wolfram. "My grandmother's aunt on my mother's side married into the Kabernikov family and a cousin of my great-grandfather on my father's side married into the Gyllenhaal family."

"So no direct blood relation then," Waltorana said flatly.

"No, hence why I didn't think it important." Casper shrugged. "But my family tree isn't what we are discussing here. What is important is that I rescued Wolfram because I couldn't leave a living breathing person of any rank or privilege to rot in that cell. I didn't know Wolfram was a member of the Ten Nobles but if I had known my actions would have been no different. I don't believe I deserve a reward for being a decent person."

"I find that hard to believe." Waltorana snorted.

"Then permit me to ask you what you would have done in my position?" Casper tilted his head to the side. "If you found a boy, filthy and beaten wearing threadbare rags, huddled on the floor in a dank filthy cave, would you have saved him or left him for dead?" Waltorana's jaw clenched and his shoulders went stiff. Wolfram smiled and looked at Casper with renewed respect. Not many people could stand their ground before his Uncle.

"I would have done the same as you." Waltorana finally spoke after a long silence. His words were clipped and short. It was clear it had cost him some of his pride to admit that much. Casper inclined his head and didn't push the subject.

"You also mentioned you had concerns regarding my intentions towards your nephew. I can only apologise unreservedly if I have given the impression that my intentions are in any way dishonourable. I have only the greatest respect for Wolfram and I would never take advantage of him. Besides, I seriously doubt that any attempt to take advantage of Wolfram would be successful." Wolfram sniggered slightly and Casper's lips twitched before he smoothed his face back into a serious look. "I am well aware of the recent dissolution of his engagement to the Maoh. My only desire is to provide emotional support to Wolfram at this difficult time. I have endured personal heartbreak in the past and I was in sore need of a friend to help me back onto my feet."

Wolfram stared at Casper as he spoke. His voice was soft but confident and he held Waltorana's suspicious gaze with ease. He had made vague references that he had loved and lost before but he had refused to speak further on the subject. Wolfram wondered if the memories still hurt and that was why Casper didn't want to talk about it. Casper wasn't much younger than him, so his ex-romance must be fairly recent. He was curious to know who had captured Casper's eye but there was also a tight feeling in his chest when he thought of another man with Casper. Wolfram had experienced enough jealousy over the past four years to recognise the emotion. But he wasn't sure why he was getting jealous over a guy he had never met.

"I see," Waltorana said. His face gave nothing away. Wolfram flicked his gaze between his Uncle and friend his heart beating fast. Would Waltorana send Casper away? He would protest but he doubted it would do much good. This was still Waltorana's house and Wolfram, nephew or not, was a guest. There was a long silence that grew heavier by the second. Wolfram shifted from one foot to the other feeling like he was about to explode from the tension. "Very well, you may remain in my home until you chose to leave." Waltorana said at last and Wolfram exhaled in relief. "But Falken, if I find out that you are playing some game or making advances on my nephew I will make you regret it. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, my Lord." Casper bowed.

"Good," Waltorana turned his back on Casper in clear dismissal. "Dinner is in an hour Wolfram, so please make sure you are dressed correctly by that time." Waltorana gave Wolfram's shirt a pointed look. Wolfram looked down and realised to his embarrassment that he had put his shirt on inside out.

"Yes Uncle, of course." Wolfram blushed nodding furiously. Waltorana sniffed and swept out of the room without giving Casper a second glance. He purposely left the door wide open behind him so Casper walked over to shut it with a gentle click leaving him and Wolfram alone. Wolfram puffed out a breath and walked over to his bed and sat down with a thump. "I do not need this kind of stress."

"I'm surprised he didn't ask you about me sooner actually. Or corner me in private and skewer me with his sword like a roast chicken." Casper turned to smile at Wolfram.

"How much did you hear?" Wolfram gave Casper an apologetic look. Casper walked over to the small desk and pulled out the chair so he could sit facing Wolfram.

"I arrived as you were saying that your Uncle treated me like a servant." Casper grinned showing his teeth. "That isn't true by the way, he treats me more like a piece of ugly furniture that someone very rich has given him as a gift so he can't throw it out without causing offence." Wolfram grimaced as Casper chuckled.

"I apologise, he had no right to say such things or treat you that way. You are my guest and my friend." Wolfram rubbed his hands over his face. "I don't need him cross examining everyone I bring here on suspicion of trying to take advantage of me in some way."

"There is no need to apologise to me Wolfram, your Uncle was only looking out for you. There are people out there who would try to take advantage of you in the ways he described." Casper smiled as he shifted to a more comfortable position.

"But you are not one of those people." Wolfram stated.

"Well, I certainly hope not. But he didn't know that." Casper shrugged with a smile. "I can only hope I've convinced him that he was wrong about me and that will be the last we'll hear of it. At least the air has been cleared."

"Are you going to leave?" Wolfram asked suddenly.

"Do you want me to leave?" Casper replied without missing a beat. "If I'm making your life complicated or if I'm causing waves I will understand. I don't want to be the cause of rumours spreading about our relationship."

"Stuff the bloody rumours," Wolfram said with feeling. Casper chuckled. "No matter what I do or who I am seen with there will always be rumours and gossip. If people want to talk then let them talk, I don't care." Wolfram glanced at Casper then shifted his gaze out of the window. "If you're happy here, if my Uncle doesn't make life impossible for you, well, I would rather like it if you stayed. Not that you have to of course but if you wanted to. I've become rather used to having you around over the past couple of months." Wolfram realised with a thrill of horror that he was starting to babble. He was Wolfram Von Bielefeld, a member of one of the oldest Mazoku families and the son of the previous Maoh, he did not babble.

"I would be delighted to remain here with you." Casper spoke with that gentle smile of his that made Wolfram's heart thump in his chest. "It will take more than your Uncle to scare me off." Wolfram had a feeling that they weren't talking about Casper remaining in Waltorana's house anymore. He blushed and directed his gaze from the window to the carpet. "Besides, if I left who would accompany you to the wedding?"

"What do you mean?" Wolfram asked a little sharper then intended.

"Surly you don't want to go to your ex-fiancé's wedding alone? It would have a much greater impact if you turned up on the arm of some dashingly handsome fellow." Casper pretended to fix his collar making Wolfram laugh.

"A dashingly handsome fellow, eh? I don't suppose you know where I could find one of those?" Wolfram arched an eyebrow while Casper pretended to look hurt. "That's very kind of you Casper but I'm not sure if I want to go." Wolfram admitted quietly. All traces of humour left Casper's face and he looked closely at Wolfram.

"I thought your whole 'train till you drop' regime was so you could look good for the Maoh's wedding?"

"Let's not start that fight again." Wolfram sighed.

"Seriously though, going to the wedding would be good for you." Casper said. Wolfram stared at him with a look that said; are you crazy? "You need closure Wolfram we all do when relationships don't work out. I know it will hurt but seeing the Maoh marry Lady Caz will help you forget him and move on."

"Or maybe watching Yuri marry her will just remind me that he never wanted me." Wolfram said quietly.

"And maybe that's exactly what you need." Casper added just as quietly. "As long as you believe there's even the slightest possibility that he may change his mind and chose you, then you'll never be able to move on from him. You'll never love again. Don't do that to yourself Wolfram. Don't pin all your hopes on a man who is promised to another."

"Do I detect words spoken from experience, Casper Falken?" Wolfram raised his head and met Casper's eyes. Casper smiled without humour but declined to answer. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to watch him marry her. I've had enough of hurting." Wolfram ran a hand through his damp hair.

"So come to the wedding with me and stop hurting." Casper stood up and walked over to sit beside Wolfram on the bed. It was a bold move and Waltorana would have had a fit if he saw them together in such an intimate setting. "Walk in there with your head held high and show that you're doing just fine without him and that you don't need him. Then walk out of there, burst into tears and get over him." Wolfram snorted and gave Casper a weak smile.

"You make it sound so easy."

"You can always bawl your eyes out on my shoulder. I've been told that my shoulders are very comfortable for leaning on." Casper grinned. "Besides, think how uncomfortable the Maoh will feel with you there. You might want to attend his wedding out of pure spite." Wolfram blinked in surprise at the cat-like grin on Casper's face. Then he started laughing.

"It would be good to see the look on his face." Wolfram chuckled.

"Exactly," Casper nodded.

"Thank you Casper," Wolfram smiled.

"For what?"

"Everything," Wolfram answered simply. Casper looked slightly confused but he smiled regardless. A comfortable silence feel between them as they sat side by side on the King sized bed with a respectable distance between them. Wolfram was just about to suggest they head down to dinner when Casper sniggered. "What is it?"

"Did you really say 'sleazy sex fiend'?" Casper asked with a raised eyebrow. Wolfram blushed and Casper snorted. Before either of them really knew what was happening, they were roaring with laughter with tears running down their cheeks.

:-:

(The next morning)

Heavy grey clouds hung low in the sky threating rain. Wolfram raised his face and could have sworn he felt a few drops of moisture on his cheeks. He frowned and turned his attention back to Greta who was getting ready to depart for Shinmakoku. All of her clothes had been packed and three of Wolfram's men were currently fighting with the suitcase to get it secured to the carriage roof.

"Make sure that case is secure, I don't want it falling off and injuring anyone." Wolfram barked out. The men turned and gave their commander strained smiles. They knew when their commander said 'anyone' Wolfram actually meant 'Greta' but they knew better than to say anything.

"Yes Sir," the more senior of the guards answered. They redoubled their efforts to tie down the ropes while holding the case in place. Wolfram heard someone chuckle and turned to see Casper trying, and failing, to hide his smile. Wolfram narrowed his eyes at him and Casper grinned back.

"Are you sure you're going to be ok Wolfram?" Greta asked. Wolfram turned his gaze to his daughter and smiled at her.

"I shall be fine Greta." Wolfram knelt down and opened his arms. Greta launched herself into his arms and held him tight. Wolfram held her back just as tightly and buried his face in her brown curls. She smelt of soap and the faint floral perfume that Wolfram had brought for her for her last birthday. The smell made Wolfram smile.

"Wolfram…." Greta paused and Wolfram felt her draw in a shaky breath. He gently pulled back and looked into Greta's worried brown eyes.

"What's the matter?"

"Will…will you still be my papa even though Yuri is marrying Abby?" Greta asked quietly, braced as if she expected her question to be met with disdain.

"Oh Greta," Wolfram sighed reaching out to stroke Greta's curls, "of course I will be."

"Really?" Greta asked in a whisper. She turned her hopeful eyes to Wolfram and he wondered how she could ever have thought his love for her would fade. Wolfram smiled at her and kissed her cheek.

"Really," Wolfram whispered back. "You'll always be my daughter Greta. No matter how old you get or who marries who, I will always love you as my daughter."

"And I will always love you as my papa," Greta said softly as she hugged Wolfram again. Wolfram hugged her back and caught Casper's eye. Casper was smiling down at them sharing in their tender moment. Greta's face became sad once more as she drew away. "I wish you and Yuri were getting married. Then we could be a family."

"I'm sorry Greta," Wolfram said feeling his heart break at the sadness in Greta's eyes. "But we are a family even if Yuri and I aren't together. Sometimes people get along better when they're apart. Who knows; maybe this way Yuri and I will be able to be together in the same room for more than five minutes without fighting?" Wolfram tried to joke but Greta didn't smile.

"You didn't always fight." Greta wouldn't meet Wolfram's gaze.

"No," Wolfram tried to smile but it felt wrong on his face, "no we didn't always fight. But Greta, Yuri and I….there is never going to be an 'us' in our relationship. But that doesn't change how we feel for you. I know Yuri loves you and so do I."

"What if Abby doesn't like me? What if she sends me away?" Greta asked. She sounded so lost and scared. Wolfram almost wanted to cry. How long had Greta been worrying about this? How long has she been keeping all this bottled up inside? Wolfram hated the thought that Greta had been with him for nearly three months and yet all this was only coming out now. He should have paid better attention to her. Of course she would be worried about the way everything was changing around her.

"Of course Abby will like you. And if she wants to send you away you are always welcome here, I'll always be here to take care of you." Wolfram promised. "But don't think for a moment that Yuri would allow that to happen. He loves you too much to send you away."

"He sent you away." Greta's words hit Wolfram like a hammer.

"I left on my own accord Greta. Yuri didn't send me away." Wolfram's voice caught slightly. "I wanted some peace to clear my head and start training. That is why I left." As Wolfram said it he knew it to be true. Yuri hadn't forced him to leave. He'd left because he didn't want to be around the soon-to-be-wed couple. "Besides, Yuri doesn't love me like he loves you."

"But Yuri does love you," Greta protested hotly. "He just doesn't know it!"

"Greta, enough," Wolfram warned. Hearing someone, anyone, tell him that Yuri loved him was like having sharp pieces of glass thrust into his heart. Greta bit her lip guiltily as if she could sense Wolfram's pain. Wolfram sighed and reached out to place a hand on Greta's shoulder. "I'm sorry Greta I didn't mean to snap. You need to accept that Yuri and I are done, no matter what either party thinks or feels about it."

"Do you still love him?" Greta asked the question that Wolfram had been asking himself for the past nine weeks. He still didn't know the answer.

"It doesn't matter what I feel."

"If he said he was sorry would you –"

"Greta," Wolfram snapped with more force than he intended. Greta shut her mouth with a click. Wolfram mentally kicked himself. "Greta please, let's not discuss the matter any further, ok? Yuri is going to marry Abby in two weeks and you are going to be the most beautiful flower girl in all Mazoku history."

"I don't understand why they are getting married anyway." Greta persisted with a stubborn tilt to her chin. "They've only know each other a couple of months."

"Yuri is going to explain everything once you return." Wolfram neatly dropped Yuri in it with a smile. If Yuri was stupid enough to get Abby pregnant in the first place then he could be the one to explain it all to their teenage daughter. He wasn't getting out of it by ignoring the issue.

"Why can't you tell me?"

"Because Yuri is the one getting married so he should be the one to explain why." Wolfram noticed that the suitcase was finally tied down to the carriage. The horses were tossing their heads and snorting, ready to go. "Looks like it's time for you to go, Greta."

"I'll miss you Wolfram." Greta hugged Wolfram tight one last time.

"I'll miss you too," Wolfram replied. "I will see you in a few days ok?"

"Are you coming to the wedding?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Wolfram winked and Greta giggled. "Come on, let's get you settled down." Wolfram stood up and held out his hand to Greta. Greta however, turned away and threw herself at Casper for a hug taking the young man by surprise.

"Bye Casper, thank you for being so nice." Greta said her voice slightly muffed as her face was buried in Casper's middle.

"You are welcome little firefly." Casper replied softly hugging Greta back. Greta giggled at the nickname. Casper had started calling her that a few weeks ago and Greta had taken to it. She beckoned and Casper leaned down so she could whisper in his ear. Casper grinned and nodded as Greta stepped back. "I promise," Casper placed a hand over his heart. Greta nodded looking pleased.

Wolfram tilted his head wondering what Greta had said to Casper. Greta turned back to Wolfram and took his hand. They walked to the carriage and one of guards opened the door for them. Wolfram nodded his thanks as he helped Greta up into the carriage. Once Wolfram was certain that Greta was comfortable and had everything she would need for the two day journey to Shinmakoku, he kissed her forehead gently. "Send me a letter when you arrive in Shinmakoku."

"Yes Wolfram," Greta kissed Wolfram's cheek. "I will see you soon."

"Bye," Wolfram stepped out of the carriage and watched as the guard shut the door. "You look after her as if she were your own, you understand me?" Wolfram narrowed his eyes. The guard bowed low.

"Yes Sir, the Princess will be safe with us." Wolfram grunted but didn't comment. The guards mounted their horses and the carriage driver picked up the reins. Wolfram stepped back and waved to Greta who was looking out of the window. Greta waved back and smiled although her eyes were sad. The driver snapped the reins and the carriage jolted forward. The horses' hooves rang out against the cobblestones as the carriage and its escort of ten guards moved away. Wolfram watched until the carriage was out of sight.

The wind picked up making Wolfram shiver. It was unseasonably cold for this time of year and there was the smell of rain in the air. Wolfram hoped Greta would be alright. She had a long journey ahead of her and driving rain would make things more difficult. The horses could slip in the wet mud and cause an accident. Wolfram was about to ride out and demand Greta return when a warm hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Greta will be fine. Your soldiers won't allow any harm to come to her. Trust them." Casper said softly. Wolfram nodded and sucked in a deep breath. As he exhaled he pictured his stress and worry leaving him too. His shoulders relaxed and the tension eased from his spine. "Come on, it's freezing out here." Casper turned back towards the mansion and Wolfram followed him.

"Hey, what did Greta whisper to you before she left?" Wolfram asked curiously.

"It's a secret," Casper tapped his nose. Wolfram pouted.

"She's my daughter; we don't have secrets between us."

"On the contrary Wolfram a child keeps many secrets from their parents." Casper grinned playfully. "As Greta's friend it is my job to keep her secrets from you." Casper winked so Wolfram knew it was nothing serious. He rolled his eyes anyway and nudged Casper in the ribs.

"As my friend you should be spilling the beans."

"Oh no, it doesn't work that way." Casper teased. Wolfram shrugged as he pushed open the heavy front door of his Uncle's mansion.

"I'll find out when we next see Greta. That girl just can't keep a secret." Casper laughed but Wolfram could detect an undercurrent of something in his voice. He looked more closely at Casper and saw some nervous tension in his shoulders and jaw. "Hey, are you alright? You look a little tense."

"I'm just hoping we don't bump into your Uncle and he decides to throw me out after all. I hate the rain." Casper replied easily. Wolfram didn't believe it. There was something bothering Casper. For someone who could read others so easily, Casper was a hard person to figure out at times.

"Hmm," Wolfram hummed to show he didn't buy Casper's story. Casper kept his eyes forward and didn't look in Wolfram's direction. For a moment Wolfram wondered if it was what Greta had said that was bothering him, but he dismissed it. If Greta was worried about something or if she was in trouble, he was certain Casper would tell him, secret or not. "You know, the whole time I've known you you've been a shoulder for me to cry on and someone I can talk to. I hope you know that the same applies to you. If you need to talk then I'm here for you."

"Thank you Wolfram," Casper smiled softly, "that means a lot but I'm ok, really." Wolfram didn't believe it but he let it go. Casper never pushed him when he didn't want to talk so he thought he should extend the same courtesy. Casper would talk when or if he wanted to. Wolfram took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders.

"Do you think we could convince the cook to start a second breakfast? I'm starving."

-:-

(Shinmakoku)

Abby stood before the full length mirror and stared at her reflection in wonder. Her wedding dress was almost complete and this was her second to last fitting. A tight ivory bodice clung to her upper body following the natural curves of her breasts and hips. Semi-precious stones and polished cut glass had been carefully sown into the bodice making it glitter and shine in the sunlight pouring like molten gold through the windows. A soft ivory silk trim wrapped around her upper arms giving the bodice a natural finish.

The top skirt was made of ivory silk and Abby couldn't get enough of the feeling of the silk running through her fingers. The material was cool against her skin and perfectly soft. The skirt was split down the front to form the train which stretched out behind her. Underneath was a ruffled skirt of pure white cotton, the hem of which brushed the floor.

"You look beautiful My Lady." Sophia commented as she watched her mistress stare into the full length mirror before her. Abby glanced at Sophia with the biggest smile Sophia had ever seen on her face. Sophia had never seen her young charge so happy and radiant.

"I can hardly believe that it's me I see in the mirror before me." Abby gasped before looking back into the mirror. "Is this really happening Sophia? I almost believed it wouldn't happen, that something would get in the way and ruin everything. But I'm going to marry him." Abby sighed in contentment.

"Yes you are my Lady. And you'll be the most beautiful woman in all the land while you do it." Sophia smiled as she helped the seamstress pin up Abby's skirt. When a Lady married a King her dress had to be perfect.

Abby looked down at her handmaiden and smiled before looking back at her reflection. Everything was finally going her way. Even that brat Wolfram had left. Abby had been expecting a fight for Yuri's heart, but the little snake had slithered off back to his hole within days of arriving. The fact that he had taken his lover with him hadn't escaped Abby's notice. Obviously he had seen how close she and Yuri were and admitted defeat. She was angry though that Wolfram had had the nerve to steal Yuri's daughter away when he left. He had no claim over the girl and Abby was certain he did it to spite Yuri. Abby had been hoping to have some time to get to know the girl, maybe bond a bit more. Greta hadn't taken to her very well but Abby was sure that could change with time. She wanted Greta to like her. She wanted the girl to see her as a mother figure, if not as a mother.

Abby placed a hand on her belly and rubbed gently. She would be a real mother soon, in twenty two weeks' time. Abby couldn't wait for their child to be born. She wanted Yuri to see his child, to be able to hold them in his arms and gaze upon them. Yuri would love his child once he saw them, Abby was sure of it. How could he not love his own flesh and blood? But doubt made her heart ache. Her parents didn't love her after all, what evidence did she have that Yuri would love his child simply because he or she was his blood? Abby shook her head. Yuri was not her parents. His heart was kind and his manner soft and gentle. Her pregnancy was unexpected but not unwanted. Her child wouldn't grow up like she did.

"I can't believe that it's come to this." A cold female voice spoke from the doorway making Abby jump. She turned to see her mother stride into the room as if she owned the place. As always Karolina Caz was the very definition of perfection. Her red and gold dress with its long sleeves and a skirt that brushed the floor fitted her like a glove. Karolina's pale blonde hair was twisted up into a knot at the back of her head and pulled so tight it looked painful. Her blue eyes, the same colour as Abby's, were filled with disdain as she regarded her youngest child and only daughter.

"Mother, what are you doing here?" Abby asked in surprise. She hadn't expected any of her family to arrive before the day of the wedding. Karolina snorted and prowled around the room like a crocodile sizing up its prey.

"Out," Karolina snapped her fingers at the maids and palace seamstress. Not used to such rude behaviour the seamstress puffed her ample bosom out and stood up as tall as her four foot two would allow. A quick shake of the head from Sophia warned her not to argue.

"Let's take a short break," the seamstress said with great dignity to the palace maids before sweeping out of the room, ignoring Karolina. The maids followed as did Sophia who gave her mistress an encouraging smile before closing the door behind her. There was a long silence as Karolina stared out of the window with her back to Abby. Abby shifted in place not sure if she should speak or not.

"Um, I wasn't expecting you so early." Abby said hesitantly. Her relationship with her mother was strained at best so she didn't know what to make of this sudden appearance.

"I can't believe I gave birth to such an embarrassment." Karolina sneered as if Abby hadn't spoken. Abby jerked backwards in shock.

"W-what?"

"Don't think I don't know the reason why our Maoh has agreed to marry you." Karolina turned on her daughter with eyes that blazed blue fire. Her eyes locked on Abby's stomach where Abby's child slept before raising her gaze to her daughter's. "You stupid girl, what were you thinking? How dare you take a man to your bed before you married?" Karolina curled her lip in disgust.

"He asked me mother, how could I refuse him?" Abby ducked her head. Years of being under her mother's thumb made her shrink back in fear. Karolina was an intimidating woman with her piercing eyes and tall slim build. Where Abby had curves Karolina was all sharp edges and hard lines. She stood a head taller than her daughter and took great pleasure in towering over Abby to enforce her superiority.

"You shouldn't have gotten yourself into the situation where he could ask you!" Karolina thundered. Abby flinched. Her mother had never raised her hand against her but she didn't need to. Her voice and her presence were enough to make Abby fear her. "Do you have any idea of the shame you bring down on our family?"

"The Maoh has agreed to marry me! Our child will not be born a bastard." Abby defended herself desperately. She curled a hand over her belly as if to protect her child from her mother's harsh words.

"You silly girl, the people will know that you carry his child before you said your vows. People in our position have certain expectations to live up to." Karolina pulled a lace and wooden fan out of her sleeve and tapped the wooden baton on her open palm. "Some peasant girl can be forgiven for such scandalous acts but we have connections to royalty!" Karolina's voice rose towards the end of her sentence making Abby shrink further back. "I swear, if I had not birthed you myself I would question if you were really my blood." Karolina shook her head in disappointment.

"If making love is such a scandalous act then how did you become pregnant with me and my brothers?" Abby muttered rebelliously.

"Don't you take that tone with me," Karolina snarled. "I'll have you know I was married for ten years before your oldest brother was born!" Karolina sighed and visibly collected herself. "If only I had only birthed sons then we wouldn't be in this situation."

"You would like that wouldn't you? Sons to make you proud and take over father's business," Abby said bitterly. It stung to know that her own mother wished she had never been born. Tears gathered in Abby's eyes but she blinked them away. She would not show such weakness in front of her mother. "What possible reason could there be for you or father to want a daughter?"

"None at all it would seem," Karolina answered snidely. Abby bit her lip. "And you wear that dress like a stuffed doll! No elegance or style at all! Stand up straight girl!" Abby lifted her head and straightened her spine automatically but her eyes stayed on the floor. "Hopeless," Karolina sighed heavily as if she had been dealt some terrible slight. Abby tightened her hands into fists until her nails cut into the skin of her palms. The pain helped sharpen her mind.

"You may never have wanted me mother, you and father both may never love me but Yuri does." Abby used Yuri's first name deliberately. She saw her mother stiffen out of the corner of her eye at the perceived lack of respect. "He is marrying me because he loves me. His love is all I need! He thinks I'm special and beautiful and when I'm with him I know that I'm not some worthless thing no one wants!" Abby clenched her jaw.

"Oh please daughter, do not be so naïve. We both know that the Maoh is marrying you out of pity because of the bastard you carry. How could he love you? Look at you, child. What could you offer him other than a warm willing body in his bed?" Abby flinched as if struck. "Don't fool yourself, if you didn't carry his blood he wouldn't have the time of day for you. Remember how quickly after the act he sent you away? His only concern is to save face before your condition becomes common knowledge." Karolina's tone became condescending. Abby hated it when her mother talked down to her like that. Karolina made her feel two inches tall with only her words. Abby could never win a fight against her; she couldn't summon the courage to even try.

"That's not true," Abby whispered.

"Didn't the Maoh have a male fiancé before you came along?" Karolina tapped her fan to her lips as she pretended to think deeply on the subject. "Perhaps his tastes run both ways? Or maybe you should be careful that a young man does not steal your beloved's heart from you."

"Yuri never wanted that stupid brat in the first place. The whole engagement was a mistake! Besides, Lord Bielefeld was declared dead by the Ten Nobles and his engagement to Yuri annulled! Yuri was free to take another and he chose me!" Abby's voice cracked. "I was the one he wanted, no one else but me!"

"Oh do stop your snivelling before you destroy what little remains of your dignity." Karolina circled her daughter and Abby found herself standing above her mother for the first time. Abby was still standing on top of the small wooden table which allowed the seamstress to pin her dress hem. Karolina stopped in front of her daughter and Abby raised her head defiantly. "Did it not occur to you that the Maoh missed the presence of his fiancé in his bed and merely took a replacement?" Karolina's voice was almost gentle. Horror washed through Abby in cold sickening waves. For a moment she thought she might throw up.

"Lies," Abby hissed. "You should not speak so lowly of your King!"

"He is a man and men have urges they cannot control." Karolina shrugged. "It is a woman's job to protect her dignity before a man's advances. Is that thing in your belly even the Maoh's?"

"Yuri is the only man to have ever touched me! This is his child!" Abby cried her voice cracking. "How could you refer to your first grandchild as a thing?"

"That is no grandchild of mine." Karolina tapped Abby's belly with her fan. Abby stepped back and wrapped her arms around herself. "And you are no daughter of mine."

"So that's it? You're going to disown me regardless of my marriage?" Abby's shoulders slumped. She should have foreseen this. She had hoped her parents would see her differently now she was to marry the Maoh. She had hoped they would respect her, maybe even love her. Her mother's rejection was like a slap to the face.

"Not officially of course," Karolina opened her fan and examined the printed pictures of flowers. "We wouldn't want to create gossip and rumours now would we?"

"Perish the thought," Abby muttered sarcastically.

"I knew the minute you were born that you'd be no good. I tried you know. Great One knows I tried to teach you to be a Lady and to act in the manner expected of someone in your position. And now look at what you've done, the shame you've brought down on my family." Karolina sighed shaking her head. "Really, I didn't expect much from you but I expected more than this."

"You never taught me anything!" Abby yelled surprising herself. "You were too busy having tea parties to even know I was alive!"

"Don't raise your voice like that, it is most unseemly." Karolina fanned herself delicately.

"Nothing I do will ever be good enough for you will it?" Abby whispered staring at the floor as tears gathered in her eyes once again. This time there was no holding them back. "No matter what I do you'll always think me stupid, useless and unworthy."

"Tell me daughter, do I have a reason not to?" Karolina arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"All my life I've been told that I wasn't good enough for you. My brothers, father, you; all of you telling me to shut up and go away. Telling me I was too stupid to understand the conversation or that it's wasn't something a 'Lady' needed to know. Well, I'm sick of listening to you!" Abby glared at her mother and Karolina actually took a step back in surprise. "I'm sick of you telling me that I'm not good enough for your precious family and I'm sick of all the vile poison you spew from your mouth!"

"Don't you speak to me that way –" Karolina started but Abby hitched up her skirts and stepped down off the table.

"I don't care what you think of me, mother. I don't care what your snobbish friends think and I don't care what my brothers think either! Those three are so stupid they couldn't figure out that one plus one equals two!"

"How dare you –" Karolina started but Abby cut her off again.

"Oh yes, rush to the defence of your precious sons! Don't let anyone say a bad word against them! Your stupid ugly daughter however, people can say whatever they want about her! The daughter you are so ashamed of! Well guess what mother, that same stupid ugly girl is going to marry the Maoh! I am going to rule by his side and I shall birth a new generation of Princes and Princesses. I will be forever free of the hatred you spout!" Tears poured down Abby's face but she paid them no heed. "Watch me mother, watch me become the most powerful woman in this world and know that I hold no love or loyalty to you."

"If you think that by just carrying a child of the Maoh that makes you some powerful monarch then you are mistaken." Karolina reached out and gently ran her hand down Abby's cheek. "You are worthless my dear, no matter who you marry or who you give birth to."

"Get out!" Abby pointed at the door. "I want you to leave!"

"I don't take orders from you." Karolina examined her perfect nails and didn't move.

"Out!" Abby screamed. "Get out!"

"Still screaming and stamping her feet like a child," Karolina shook her head. "And you still think you'll amount to something worthwhile?"

"What's going on in here?" A male voice that Abby recognised spoke from the door. Abby's heart just about stopped in her chest and her breath caught in her throat. She turned her head to see Yuri standing inside the door staring at the scene before him in shock. "Abby, what's going on?" Abby was horrified. For her future husband to see her like this; her hair in a mess, her cheeks flushed and tears running down her face. Abby was ashamed.

"Your Majesty!" Karolina recovered first and turned to curtsy to the Maoh. Even in her advanced years she could still perform a flawless curtsy. "It is an honour indeed to be graced by your presence." Yuri gave Karolina a strange look before turning his dark eyes back to Abby.

"Abby, what's wrong? Why are you crying? I heard shouting." Yuri's eyes darted around the room before settling back on Abby and her mother as if to confirm the room was empty besides them. His brows were drawn together in a concerned frown.

"Everything is fine Your Majesty. I am Abby's mother Karolina Caz." Karolina swept towards Yuri in a swirl of fabric holding out her hand. When Yuri took her hand and shook it instead of kissing it, Karolina was temporarily thrown. "My daughter and I were just having a brief reunion before the big day." Karolina flushed as she tried to cover up her embarrassment.

"I see," Yuri said slowly. He gave Karolina another long look before waking into the room and up to Abby. While her mother talked to her fiancé Abby had snatched a spare piece of cloth to wipe away her tears. Her nose had started to run making her sniff. Abby's shoulders stiffened as Yuri approached her. For him to see her like this, Abby didn't know how this day could get any worse. "Abby…are you alright?" Yuri's voice was gentle, concerned. It made Abby's heart skip a beat in her chest.

"Of course she is alright!" Karolina breezed, having fully recovered from her earlier mishap. "You know how women in her condition are." Karolina laughed but it sounded false even to Abby's ears.

"I think your daughter can speak for herself Lady Caz." Yuri replied with an edge of steel to his voice. Karolina flushed an ugly blotchy red.

"Of c-course she can. But please Your Majesty, call me Karolina." Karolina fanned herself with her fan to take the colour out of her cheeks. "Perhaps we should leave the girl to calm down and speak with her later? I would so love to hear some stories of your grand adventures as our esteemed Maoh and protector." Anger flared in the pit of Abby's stomach as she realised that her mother was trying to whisk her fiancé away. Her mother spoke of her as if she were nothing but an unwanted distraction.

"My mother came here to inform me that, in her opinion, I am a cheap whore and that I brought shame upon her family." Abby spoke out in a voice that was surprisingly strong. Yuri and Karolina looked at her in equal shock.

"Daughter, you shouldn't say such things." Karolina smiled nervously. Abby met her mother's gaze head on.

"You are a snake, a poisonous snake. You say nothing but cruel things to me, calling me 'stupid', 'worthless' and 'ugly'." Fresh tears gathered in Abby's eyes. "You have made it clear to me that you don't love me and that you never did. I was nothing but a mistake. A child you never wanted to be born. I've had enough of your hate and I don't want to see you ever again."

"Is this true?" Yuri asked Karolina in shock. He stared at Karolina as if he couldn't believe any mother would think such things about her own daughter.

"Of course not," Karolina gasped looking flustered. Her face was turning that blotchy red colour again.

"Stop lying, you do nothing but lie. I want you to leave!" Abby stepped towards her mother strengthened by Yuri's presence beside her. "And I don't want you or my father or my brothers at my wedding!"

"Daughter –"

"Leave!" Abby shouted.

"I think you should go Lady Caz." Yuri spoke up. Karolina twitched and gasped like a beached fish. But she couldn't ignore a command from the Maoh. With a strained smile that showed too many teeth, Karolina curtsied to Yuri before turning and walking out of the room. Her movements were stiff and jerky like a puppet whose master was still learning the art of manipulation. Abby watched until she was gone before she sank into a nearby chair and buried her face in her hands.

There was a long silence but Abby knew that Yuri was still in the room with her. The room seemed much bigger now that her mother was gone and Abby wasn't sure how she felt. She was finally rid of the mother who had hated and cursed her since the day she was born. But now she was truly alone. She had cut herself off from her only family. What if her mother's words had been true? What if she was nothing to Yuri? She didn't think she could bare it.

"Abby, are you alright?" Yuri repeated his earlier question. Abby dropped her hands into her lap and Yuri gasped out loud. "My God look at your hands!" Yuri dropped to his knees and grabbed Abby's hands in his. Her palms were bleeding from where her nails had cut the skin.

"I apologise for my most unseemly behaviour Yuri. Please forgive my rudeness. I didn't intend to cause such a scene with my mother." Abby kept her gaze to the floor. He hates me now, she thought quietly. He must believe that I am not worthy of him just as my mother does. Abby bit her lip as she tried not to start crying again.

"You have nothing to apologise for," Yuri said still holding Abby's hands. "We need to get these cuts cleaned or they will become infected." Yuri paused and reached out to tilt Abby's head towards him. "Did your mother really say those things to you?" Yuri stared into Abby's eyes as if he could glean the answers from there. Abby nodded but didn't trust herself to speak. "But, how could any mother speak of her child in such a way?" The disgust and horror in Yuri's voice made Abby drop her head again.

"I did not meet my parents' expectations of me. I have been nothing but a burden to them."

"Don't speak like that!" Yuri snapped making Abby jump and raise her gaze to Yuri's in surprise. "Abby, you are not worthless or stupid and you're certainly not ugly. I can't understand how anyone could view their child in such a hateful way, but you mustn't listen to them."

"I was unwanted," Abby whispered. "My parents did not want another child after my third brother was born but my mother became pregnant with me. If I had been a boy I don't think my parents would have minded too much, but they never wanted a daughter. I wasn't wanted and so I wasn't loved."

"I'm sorry Abby, I'm so sorry you had parents like that." Yuri whispered squeezing Abby's hands gently.

"I swear to you Yuri, I will never treat our child that way." Abby promised her voice growing hard. "No matter if they are a boy or a girl I swear to you that I will love them with all my heart." Abby smiled at Yuri through her tears. "After all, this is a child created by our love right? How can our child be anything but loved?" Yuri twitched and for a moment he looked guilty. "No one will harm our child Yuri. I shall stand between them and the world. I would rip the stars from the sky or stop the rise and fall of the oceans to protect them from harm." Abby tightened her hands into fists as anger replaced the pain in her chest.

"Abby I –" Yuri cut himself off. Abby drew his hands to her mouth and kissed his knuckles.

"I don't need anyone but you, Yuri. I have no need for anyone's love but yours." Abby whispered. Yuri looked pained for a moment but Abby couldn't understand why. Maybe he was just upset on her behalf over what had transpired between her and her mother? Abby smiled and kissed Yuri's hands again. Such a gentle, loving and kind man she was to marry.

"Abby…" Yuri drew breath to speak but stopped. He sighed heavily and gently drawing his hands from her lips he stood up. "Come on, we should get your hands looked at."

"Very well," Abby smiled. "Oh no, what about my wedding dress, it is ruined?" Abby quickly snatched her bloodied hands away from the delicate silks and cotton. If she'd got blood on her dress it would never come out.

"It's ok I don't think any blood has stained it." Yuri paused as if something just occurred to him, and then he blushed crimson.

"What's wrong Yuri?"

"Um, you just said that this is your wedding dress." Yuri said looking embarrassed.

"Yes, do you like it?" Abby asked eagerly. When Yuri didn't say anything her face fell. "It's not yet complete so I'm sure you'll like it once it is ready."

"Oh no, I like it but I guess I shouldn't have seen you in it right?" Yuri ran a hand through his messy black hair.

"Why ever not?" Abby asked in confusion.

"Isn't it bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding gown before the wedding?" Yuri asked.

"I've never heard of such a thing." Abby frowned in confusion.

"Well where I come from its considered bad luck, I guess that superstition doesn't exist here." Yuri shrugged. Abby rose to her feet as Yuri offered her a hand up.

"I would say that you came to me at just the right moment. Far from bringing bad luck, you seeing me in my dress brought me good luck." Abby smiled and kissed Yuri's cheek. "Thank you, my King, for coming to my rescue." Yuri blushed and looked awkward.

"I heard raised voices as I was walking past. I was worried someone was hurting you."

"I was being hurt, but I am safe now I am with you." Abby kissed Yuri on the lips and leaned into the contact. Before the kiss could deepen into anything significant the door flew open and the seamstress marched into the room.

"Really, who did that wretched woman think she was? Ordering me about like a – oh my goodness!" The seamstress spotted Yuri jerking away from Abby his cheeks scarlet. "Your Majesty, I didn't know you were in here."

"That's alright," Yuri coughed, "I was just leaving." Yuri paused then glanced at Sophia who had followed the seamstress into the room. "Abby has hurt her hands, could you get someone to take a look at them?"

"Of course Your Majesty," Sophia curtsied.

"What have you done to yourself My Lady?" The seamstress bustled over to Abby and took her hands in hers. "Good heavens, how did you manage this? At least you didn't spoil your dress. Come over here and let's bind those cuts before we take off your dress." As the seamstress fussed over Abby, Yuri stepped away and walked towards the door. As he drew level with Sophia he paused.

"It's Sophia isn't it?" Yuri asked

"Yes Your Majesty," Sophia nodded.

"Please take care of Abby she's had," Yuri paused, clearly searching for the right word, "an unpleasant confrontation with her mother."

"I shall," Sophia smiled and curtsied again. Abby felt her own lips curve upwards as she watched her fiancé walk out of the door. What need did she have for her parents or siblings when she had the love of that man? He would give her all the love she could ever ask for. Abby let Sophia and the seamstress fuss over her hands with warm water and strips of cloth. At that moment Abby didn't mind if Yuri truly was marrying her because of their child. He would still be hers and hers alone. That was enough for now.

:-:

As Yuri lay in bed that night staring up at the ceiling he thought about the argument between Abby and her mother. He couldn't believe that a mother would say such cruel things to her own child. What mother would call her child worthless or unwanted? What parent would make their child believe she was nothing but a burden? For the first time in his life he found himself grateful for his mother. She might be eccentric and she might embarrass him terribly at times but she loved him completely.

Thinking of his mother reminded him that he had yet to tell her he was getting married. He hadn't told his parents or his brother that he was going to be a father either. Yuri grimaced. He could make up excuses about being too busy or worried about the time shift between Earth and Shinmakoku, but the truth simply was that he was afraid. Afraid of having his parents look at him with that same disappointment that his friends had. He didn't want another lecture about being responsible nor have more people yell at him. Conrad still hadn't forgiven him and Yuri missed being able to talk to the older man about anything and everything. He didn't want the same awkward silences and stilted conversations with his parents or older brother.

Yuri scrubbed his hands over his face. There was another reason why he didn't want to talk to his parents about his situation. He didn't want to admit the reason, even to himself, as it was such a terrible thing to think. Abby's argument with her mother had slammed home something for Yuri and made him fitful and restless. What if he looked at Abby's child the same way Abby's mother looked at her? Yuri felt his chest tighten with a mixture of guilt and self-loathing but there was no denying the truth. He didn't want to be a father. He didn't want to marry Abby. The child that grew inside Abby was unwanted.

Yuri bolted out of bed and stumbled over to the basin to splash his face with cold water from the jug. What if he became a male Karolina? Sneering at Abby's child with disdain and pushing them away. The thought horrified him. His stomach clenched and for a moment Yuri thought he was going to be sick. He bent over the basin and breathed deeply in and out through his nose. Once the queasy feeling in his stomach eased Yuri pushed himself upright, bracing his hands against the table.

Abby had said that she was an unwanted child and as such she was unloved. Those she should have been able to depend on no matter what had pushed her aside. She grew up in a house full of hatred and misplaced anger. It was no wonder she had latched onto him when he showed her kindness all those weeks ago. She had mentioned before that her father would hit her in one of his drunken rages, but he hadn't understood the full extent of what she'd been through until now. Yuri felt his heart contract painfully in his chest with sympathy for Abby's unhappy home life. But he was marrying her out of a sense of duty, nothing more. And he knew if Abby ever found out it would kill her.

Abby craved someone to look at her and see her. She needed someone to love her and tell her that she was special. He could say the words but he wouldn't mean them. At least, not in the way she wanted. He liked her well enough and would have enjoyed being friends with her, giving her a safe haven to run to when her life became too much. But he had no desire to be her husband or the father of her child.

Yuri stared at the mirror before him but in the weak candle light he could only see a fuzzy dark outline of his face. He was a dick. If anyone in this world was worthless it was him. Abby loved him and he wanted nothing more than to run away to somewhere no one could find him. In a sense he was using her. He'd always hated guys who fooled around with girls they didn't love when the girl in question loved the guy. He'd thought those guys the lowest form of humanity. To now be one of them, however noble his reasons, made him feel sick. He was protecting Abby and her child by marrying her, but he was also damning Abby to a loveless marriage and her child to a life without the love of a father. How could he do this?

Yuri dropped his head onto his arms and tried to fight the urge to throw things and cry. The answer to all this was simple: learn to love Abby and be a father to her child. He just wished it was that easy. Abby should be an easy person to love. How hard could it be to love someone when they already loved you? The image of Wolfram's face came unbidden to Yuri's mind. He flinched, his features twisting as if someone had pinched him. Wolfram was a different issue all together. He was a guy and Yuri wasn't gay. He couldn't change a fundamental part of his genetic make-up just to please Wolfram and he shouldn't have to.

Yuri had a feeling his mother would say that love transcended gender or words to that effect. If love was truly blind then gender would be irrelevant. Wolfram was certainly a good looking man, no one could deny that. With his thick blond hair and brilliant green eyes he was a good catch. But acknowledging someone's good looks was completely different to wanting a physical relationship with them. He just admired Wolfram's good looks and physical excellence. It didn't mean he liked Wolfram.

Yuri groaned and fisted his hands in his hair. Whatever his feelings towards Wolfram may be there was no point in thinking about him. He was to marry Abby and he seriously doubted Wolfram would ever forgive him. He had certainly left fast enough. He'd barely been home two days before he left for the Bielefeld lands taking Greta with him. Yuri missed Greta terribly but he wouldn't have stopped her from leaving even if he could have. Greta had thought Wolfram dead only to have him miraculously returned to her. It was perfectly understandable that she'd want to spend time with him.

Thinking of Wolfram made Yuri think of Casper. He scowled and felt his chest tighten in a way he didn't understand. Yuri didn't know why but he didn't like the guy. The logical part of him knew he had no reason to mistrust or dislike Casper, but he did so anyway. He wanted to know what Casper was up to, following Wolfram around like some devoted servant. It had gotten to the point that wherever Wolfram was, Casper was sure to be found. What was his deal? Why did Wolfram put up with it? What was their relationship?

Abby had hinted that maybe Wolfram and Casper were lovers. Yuri gritted his teeth and tightened his jaw until it hurt. The idea of that guy putting his hands on Wolfram made him angry. Of course it was because Wolfram was his friend and he didn't want some asshole taking advantage of him. Wolfram would be feeling vulnerable because their break up and maybe Casper was using this to his advantage? Casper was a good looking guy, Yuri would bet he flashed his pretty purple eyes and got whatever and whoever he wanted. Yuri hated pretty boys like him.

God, are you really so full of yourself to think that you breaking up with Wolfram would reduce him to a sobbing mess that some country hick could take advantage of? The voice in Yuri's head reminded him of his alter ego, the true Maoh. Yuri bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. The voice had a point. Wolfram was headstrong, stubborn, proud and intelligent. It was hard to picture him allowing anyone to force him to do anything he didn't want to do. But, the image in his head of Wolfram and Casper like that made his stomach clench. He didn't like it. He didn't like it at all.

A thought suddenly occurred to Yuri. Maybe the reason for Greta refusing to return earlier was Casper's idea? Was he pouring poison in his daughter's ear while she was with him? Greta's refusal to return had stung. At the time Yuri had thought it was early teenage rebellion but now he wondered if there wasn't something more sinister at work. At least he had received a letter from Greta to confirm that she would return home within a couple of days. But Yuri hadn't heard anything from Wolfram about his intentions.

Cold dread crept in Yuri's stomach and sat there like a lead weight. What if Wolfram stayed away for good? Yuri wasn't sure how he felt about the idea of Wolfram never coming back. He would miss him that much was certain. But, if Wolfram wasn't around then he wouldn't be reminded every day of how he had completely and utterly failed someone he once called his friend. But maybe that should be his punishment. To be constantly reminded of his failures to make sure he never made them again. But if Wolfram wasn't here, then where would he go? Would he go back to Casper's father's farm with the ever perfect Casper in tow?

Yuri crawled back into bed and pulled the covers over his head. As he slept he dreamt that he was running through the castle. As he ran the castle seemed to get bigger and bigger while he got smaller and smaller. Soon it was if he were running through a castle built by giants. Even the furniture towered over him. No matter where he went or how loud he shouted, Yuri couldn't find anyone. The castle was empty, echoing and cold. He'd been abandoned to his misery. When Yuri jolted awake before the sunrise, he did not go back to sleep.

-:-

(Bielefeld lands – three days later)

The peace of the countryside was shattered by the sound of galloping hooves. Forest creatures rushed for cover as a horse and rider bolted out of a copse of trees and thundered down the forest track. Dust and soil flew into the air, kicked up by the horse's hooves. Hard on the heels of the first, another horse and rider flew out of the trees and raced down the track. Bent over the saddle the second rider urged his horse to go faster. The dappled sunlight glinted off the sweating hides of the golden and bay horses as they raced beneath the trees. The first rider glanced over his shoulder and saw the second catching up. He turned his gaze back to the track and nudged his horse with his knees. The plucky mare stretched her legs out and picked up speed.

Wolfram grinned as the wind rushed through his hair making his eyes water. He had missed this, the excitement and thrill of the chase. After weeks of hard training it was nice to do something for the sheer pleasure of it. He sat deep in the saddle and reined his mare in as they approached a tight bend in the track. They sailed around the turn as if on wings and regained the lost speed down the straight narrow track. Wolfram glanced over his shoulder again to see Casper right behind him. Wolfram wondered if he looked as wild as Casper did, all failing hooves and wind-blown hair, and decided that he must. The thought made his grin widen even further. What had started out as a quiet ride in the countryside had quickly turned into a fierce race.

The end of the path was coming into view as the trees thinned out and a wide plain came into sight. Planted in the middle of the plain was a lone oak tree. In the forest Wolfram had had the advantage as the track was too narrow for Casper to overtake, but once out on the plain it was anyone's game. Wolfram tightened the reins but he didn't ask for that final burst of speed just yet. Tree roots broke through the ground threatening to trip the horses and low hanging branches reached out to unseat the unwary rider.

Wolfram burst out of the forest and into the sunlight in an explosion of sound and movement. The bright light made Wolfram squint and for a few precious seconds he was blinded. After some rapid blinking Wolfram cleared his eyesight and pointed his mare's head at the oak tree. Wolfram could remember coming out here as a child with his Uncle who would tell him the story of how Wolfram's grandfather had planted the tree on the day that Wolfram's father was born. When they were young, Waltorana and his brother had carved their initials into the trunk. In a way, being here made Wolfram feel closer to his father. Although his father was gone, this tree stood as proof that he had lived.

Wolfram didn't have long to admire the view however as Casper's fiery bay stallion was already catching up to them. Wolfram bent over his mare's neck and asked for everything she had. His mare responded with enthusiasm as she tossed her head with a fierce snort of challenge. Wolfram's heart raced in his chest as the oak tree drew ever nearer while Casper inched ever closer. Wolfram sneaked a side-ways glance to see Casper's face set with determination and concentration. His violet eyes burned with the light of challenge and his strong hands held the reins tight with complete confidence. He sat relaxed and easy in the saddle as if he were simply an extension of his horse.

Casper must have sensed Wolfram looking at him as he glanced to the side and locked eyes with him. Wolfram felt his heart summersault in his chest and he quickly focussed on the finishing line of his and Casper's impromptu race. He tried to ignore the way his cheeks flushed as he sensed Casper's gaze on him.

Casper's stallion drew level with Wolfram's mare just as the two flew over the narrow stream that bubbled up underneath the tree's roots and meandered lazily down the plain towards a large lake. Wolfram sat up in the saddle laughing as he gently drew his mare back from her wild gallop. His blood was fizzing in his veins and he felt more alive than he had in years. It had been far too long since he'd had a gallop simply for the sure joy of it. Yuri had hated doing anything more than a trot. Wolfram patted his mare's neck as she dropped back into a canter.

"That was great!" Casper laughed as he drew rein next to Wolfram. "Man, this guy sure likes to run." Casper patted the stallion's proudly arching neck.

"You did a good job keeping him under control," Wolfram commented honestly, "most of our stable hands find it difficult to keep him in check."

"He is a handful," Casper admitted. He turned the stallion back towards the oak tree and Wolfram settled beside him. They kept the horses in a gentle trot to cool them down after their long run. "I wouldn't want someone who wasn't experienced to ride him. It would be dangerous for them both."

"Unlike you, who can handle anything any horse throws at him?" Wolfram commented cheekily. Casper shot him a good-natured frown.

"Hey I've been working with fiery horses since before I was walking, if I couldn't handle them by now there'd be no hope for me." Wolfram laughed. "I can remember the first time I fell off a horse." Casper smiled at the memory. "I can't remember how old I was but I must have been pretty young as my mother was still alive. She took me into this field where this tiny pony was grazing. I remember thinking the pony was huge at the time but she would probably only come up to my hip now. Anyway, my mum puts me in the saddle and gently leads this pony around the field and I just," Casper made a sliding motion with his hand, "fell off. My mum started laughing as she stopped the pony and walked over to pick me up and brush me off. I remember I started to complain, saying I didn't want to ride anymore.

"My mother just smiled at me and said, 'if we never fall, we never learn to pick ourselves back up.' She puts me back into the saddle saying, 'it's easy to just give up when things get difficult but if we never try we'll never succeed.' Then she starts the pony walking again. I fell off three times that day but each time I got back on that horse without complaint and by the end of the day I could sit in the saddle without falling." Casper's lips curved into a sad smile.

"Your mother was a wise woman," Wolfram said softly. "I wish I could have met her."

"She would have loved you." Casper laughed turning his gaze to Wolfram's. "She was a practical woman but she also had a wicked sense of humour."

"Give me an example," Wolfram grinned.

"She once told me that I had to be very careful when walking around the farm at night as there were wild Troglodytes roaming the hills."

"Wild what?" Wolfram asked laughing.

"Troglodytes, yes I know they don't exist but I was like, ten or something, I didn't know my mother made them up." Casper defended himself with dignity but the smile threatening to break out across his face somewhat ruined the effort. "So, she said to beware of the Troglodytes because they snatch naughty children who are wandering around after their bed time. As a curious child I decided to go out one night and look for these Troglodytes."

"Uh huh," Wolfram grinned. He had a feeling he knew where this was heading.

"So I'm wandering around the farm in the dark and this shape just leaps out at me from the bushes with this huge roar. I screamed so loud I woke up the farm hands who were watching the mares in the far fields." Casper started laughing. "I turned and I ran all the way back to my bedroom and hid under the bed. I found out later that evening that the 'Troglodyte' was in fact my mother with a shawl on her head." Wolfram laughed so hard his stomach started to hurt. "She scared me half to death!"

"Serves you right," Wolfram chuckled as he wiped tears of laughter out of his eyes. "By the way, I totally won our race." Wolfram pointed out.

"No you didn't, it was a draw."

"Yes I did," Wolfram protested. "My mare was already jumping over the stream when your stallion caught up to us."

"No we jumped as one, I distinctly remember it." Casper nodded.

"Are you calling me a liar Casper Falken?" Wolfram challenged.

"Not at all," Casper was trying not to grin, "I just think you're suffering from selective memory loss."

"What does that mean?"

"It's rather like selective deafness only instead of pretending you can't hear someone you're pretending you can't remember things."

"I think you're suffering from delusions of grandeur." Wolfram replied making Casper snort.

"Your Uncle would certainly say so. Given that I'm trying to seduce you so I can have my wicked way with you." Casper grinned and Wolfram blushed.

"My Uncle needs to realise that I don't need him protecting me. I am perfectly capable of fending off unwanted attention."

"You're not making any effort to get rid of me." Casper pointed out with a smile.

"Your attentions are not unwanted." Wolfram replied. Casper looked surprised as if he wasn't sure what to make of that. Wolfram kept his eyes forward and let the statement hang between them for a moment. It was true though, he didn't mind Casper's attention. It was almost addictive to be with someone who genuinely wanted to be with you. After four years of running around after Yuri only to be constantly told to go away, Wolfram craved Casper's companionship. The way Casper's eyes would light up and the way he would smile when he saw him never ceased to make Wolfram's heart beat just a little bit faster in his chest.

"Well, I'm glad one of the Bielefeld Lords is fond of me." Casper said eventually. He had that funny look on his face again. Wolfram glanced at him with a light frown. He'd had a similar look when Greta left, like something was bothering him but he couldn't talk about it. It annoyed Wolfram sometimes that Casper was happy to discuss other people's feelings but would refuse to talk about his own. In that respect Wolfram guessed that Casper was more like his father than he wanted to admit.

"My Uncle would like you if he stopped being a suspicious judgemental ass." Wolfram said evenly making Casper snort.

"And you've never judged a person before I take it?" Casper arched an eyebrow and Wolfram pouted.

"Well…of course I have but that's normal behaviour for someone in my position." Wolfram defended himself. Before he met Yuri, Wolfram would have likely treated Casper the same way his Uncle was doing, which made him feel guilty. He was certainly more accepting of others now than he used to be. But Casper brought out that side of him as well. He didn't feel an overbearing need to prove himself when he was with Casper. He could let down his walls and relax.

"Of course it is," Casper sounded sarcastic but he was smiling. Wolfram huffed but didn't respond. "Have you heard from Greta?" Casper skilfully, but obviously, changed the subject to safer topics of discussion.

"Yes I received a letter from her this morning. She reached Shinmakoku safe and sound yesterday afternoon. Apparently her new flower girl dress is a pale pink and she loves it." Wolfram smiled.

"I'm sure she will look beautiful in it." Casper agreed with a nod.

"I hope she's going to be ok. I would have liked to have talked with her about the issues she was having regarding the wedding." Wolfram sighed. "I didn't like leaving her after she admitted to worrying so much about it."

"Greta is a very tough little girl, I'm sure she'll be ok. It's only natural for a child to be concerned when her parents break up and marry other people. You have done all you can to show her that you still love her. And that's really all you can do."

"Your father never considered remarrying?" Wolfram asked curiously.

"No, in fact he made a point of stating that he would never remarry after my mother died. But they were childhood sweethearts, so I believe. My father thought he was unworthy of her because he came from a relatively poor family. My mother had many wealthy suitors asking for her hand. She turned them all down waiting for my father to ask her." Casper smiled wistfully.

"How romantic," Wolfram sighed feeling a little wistful himself. He would have done anything for a love like that. To have the one he loved turn down everyone else because they only wanted him.

"I think my mother was starting to get a little impatient with my father at one point." Casper chuckled. "It's all very well building up your business to make a comfortable life for the one you love, but if you take too long with it the person you love may well get tired of waiting."

"What happened?"

"From what I've been told, my mother basically said to my father that if he didn't want to marry her then he should tell her so she could move on. My father's friend Simms, you met him at the stud, yelled at my father for being an idiot and told him not to lose my mother over his pride. My father got the message and ran after my mother and proposed right there and then."

"And obviously she said yes otherwise you wouldn't be here." Wolfram grinned and Casper inclined his head.

"And what a great loss my not being here would be." Casper answered with a cheeky grin.

"Who would have rescued me from those bandits if not for you?" Wolfram said quietly. Casper's smile vanished and he looked closely at Wolfram.

"Are you still having nightmares about that?" Wolfram nodded but didn't trust himself to speak. He may be comfortable with Casper but he still hated to show such weakness. The phantoms of his nightmares seemed so insubstantial in the hard light of day. "They can't hurt you any more Wolfram. I promise they'll never lay a hand on you ever again."

"I know," Wolfram tried to smile but he couldn't make his muscles complete the action. "Thank you Casper." The light mood from before was completely ruined now. His horse had even dropped back into a walk without Wolfram noticing.

"Wolfram," Casper reined back his stallion and Wolfram stopped as well. "You don't need to thank me for looking out for you."

"I've always been self-sufficient before, I never needed anyone to look out for me." Wolfram admitted softly with a shrug. "I don't really know how to react to your kindness."

"There's nothing wrong with being self-sufficient but there's also nothing wrong with needing support every now and again. And I don't think that it's true that no one has been looking out for you. Your family cares about you very much. I've always wanted an older brother to look out for me," Casper admitted with a self-conscience smile.

"Well you can share mine if you want." Wolfram offered. Casper laughed and shook his head. He jumped lightly out of the saddle and took a hold of Wolfram's horse's reins. Wolfram also dismounted looking at Casper in silent question.

"We should give the horses a drink and a rest." Casper said by way of an explanation. Wolfram looked around and noticed for the first time that they had stopped next to the oak tree.

"Oh, good idea," Wolfram stepped away and let Casper lead the horses to the stream. Both drank nosily for several minutes before Casper tied them to a low hanging branch. Casper sat down heavily on the grass out in the sunlight and patted the ground next to him without looking at Wolfram. Wolfram smiled and sat down next to Casper tilting his face towards the sun.

The wind rustled the leaves in the tree and rippled across the grass. Butterflies danced across the wild flowers and the birds sang. Wolfram could hear the creaking of the saddles and the click of the bridles as the horses shifted position. "I had forgotten how peaceful it was out here." Wolfram said quietly. Casper didn't respond. Instead he shifted closer until his shoulder gently brushed against Wolfram's. Wolfram closed his eyes and made no attempt to move away. For the next few minutes Wolfram and Casper sat next to each other in companionable silence. The warmth of the sun and the heavy scent of the flowers made Wolfram feel sleepy.

"We should head back," Casper murmured sounding reluctant. Wolfram still had his eyes closed so he hadn't realised that Casper had shifted closer to him. Wolfram turned to face Casper as he opened his eyes, unaware of just how close Casper was. Suddenly their lips were just a hair's breadth apart. Casper's violet eyes went wide in surprise and Wolfram froze. He could feel the gentle puff of Casper's breath against his face. Casper hesitated then he reached up and gently cupped the back of Wolfram's head. He leaned forward to close the distance and without even taking a second to think it through, Wolfram found himself leaning into the contact and closing his eyes.

Casper's lips were soft and warm and the hand against Wolfram's cheek was gentle. The feeling of the rough skin on Casper's palm against the sensitive skin of his face made Wolfram gasp. Fire seared through his veins making Wolfram's heart pound. He was hot; burning up inside and the only balm was Casper's touch. Wolfram wanted to feel more, to touch and taste. He gently nipped at Casper's bottom lip. Getting the message, Casper opened his mouth and let Wolfram deepen the kiss. Breathing through his nose, Wolfram's head started to spin as Casper kissed him with a passion that made everything else fade away until it was just the two of them.

Yuri never would have kissed me like this. The thought interrupted the passion thrumming through Wolfram's blood. He didn't want to think about Yuri right now but he couldn't help but wonder if kissing Yuri would have been like this. Abby knew how Yuri kissed. She knew his touch and what he looked like when he was lost in his desire. Suddenly Casper pulled away. Wolfram opened his eyes in confused surprise to see Casper's were still shut and his lips were pressed together in a thin line.

"I can't," Casper breathed. He jumped to his feet making Wolfram recoil in surprise.

"What? I don't…" all the blood seemed to have left his brain making it difficult for Wolfram to think clearly. Casper's shoulders were tight and his hands kept clenching and unclenching. He desperately pushed away the lingering desire that was fogging his mind and the lingering feel of Casper's kiss. "Casper, what's wrong? Is this because of what my Uncle said to you?"

"No, this has nothing to do with him." Casper was breathless. Wolfram watched Casper as the other boy refused to meet his gaze. Clearly something was wrong but Wolfram was at a loss to understand what it was.

"I don't understand what the problem is." Wolfram said in confusion. Casper paused, the tension radiating off him in waves. Then he sighed heavily and slowly sat back down.

"I owe you an explanation."

"You sure do," Wolfram tried not to sound hurt but he couldn't help it. Casper took a deep breath.

"I told you that I had a lover many years ago, right?" Wolfram nodded. Casper had been giving out bits of information about his past lover over the past three months but Wolfram didn't know the whole story. He knew that Casper's ex had left him for another and he knew it had hurt Casper deeply. Wolfram had been wondering about it but there hadn't been a good time to bring it up. As Casper's face tightened with a mixture of pain and regret, Wolfram wondered if it was fair to make Casper talk about a subject that clearly upset him. "I was in my late fifties when I met him." Casper stared out over the plain as he lost himself in his memories. "His name was Errol and he was the son of one of my father's stable hands who had come to the farm to help with that season's foals. His father had recently completed a messy divorce so he was a bitter and rather unpleasant man to be around.

"Errol was a few years older than me but he had experience. I was only just starting to figure out who I was and what I liked. Within days of his arrival at the stud Errol starting flirting with me, and I have to admit, I liked it. Errol was handsome and charming when he wanted to be. We started sneaking out together as he didn't want my father to find out about us. It was all very exciting at the time." Casper paused and took a deep breath. "We got serious really fast and I realised I was falling madly in love with him. But when I told him I loved him, he just smiled and nodded at me, as if he was indulging me or something. I guess that should have been my first clue, but I was ignorant and in love, always a bad combination.

"The foals were born and soon I was so busy running around looking after them I didn't have much time for Errol. We sneaked stolen moments of passion here and there but not as much as we used to. Errol was kept busy too as my father didn't believe in having people on the stud who didn't pull their weight. One night we were both tired from a long day working with the mares but it had been so long since we'd been together, so we snuck into the hay loft to have some time alone. In the middle of making love he starts whispering this name. I thought I was imaging it at first, or maybe I had misheard him, but that name definitely wasn't mine. I asked him about it afterwards but he became very defensive and angry so I dropped it.

"It wasn't until the foaling season was winding down that I found out what was really going on. A woman came to the stud with her son looking for Errol and his father. I was curious so I snuck into the house to listen in on the conversation. It turned out that Errol and this woman's son had been lovers until the mother found out and broke it up. She'd believed that Errol wasn't good enough for her son due to their different social status. However, her son had convinced her that he wanted nothing more than to be with Errol. So she had tracked Errol down to apologise to him. She wanted to know if Errol could forgive her and if he would be willing to live with them. The boy's father had agreed to the union as well and was willing to offer Errol's father a job within his shipping fleet. Errol didn't even hesitate, he said yes straight away. I'd never seen him so happy.

"I followed Errol back to the accommodation he was sharing with his father and cornered him in his room. I begged him to stay with me. I told him I loved him and we had something special together. I told him I didn't care about the other guy and all I wanted was to be with him. You know what he did: he laughed. He told me that he'd never loved me and that I was nothing more than a substitution for this other boy. I meant nothing to him at all. It was then I realised that the name Errol had once whispered in my ear was the name of this other boy."

"That bastard, how dare he use you like that?" Wolfram exploded in anger as Casper finished his tale. Casper shrugged with a bland smile.

"He thought since he couldn't be with the one he wanted he'd just take a replacement." Casper laughed humourlessly. "I can't say I took the break-up very well. I stopped going to work and spent all day locked up in my room. I couldn't sleep and wouldn't eat properly. I was curt, rude and snapped at everyone. My father and I had some pretty impressive yelling matches I can tell you. Then one evening Simms literally kicked my bedroom door in and dragged me outside. There was a foal in difficulty and he needed my help, he said. I didn't want to go but once we got out to the field and I saw the poor thing tangled up in some wire, I forgot all about Errol. I forgot to be sad and miserable as I helped Simms cut the foal free, and took the foal and his mother to the stables to treat the wounds. By the time we were done I'd been up for nearly twenty hours straight and the sun was rising. I collapsed in my bed and slept for the whole day. After that I stopped being so angry, miserable and bitter and started healing."

"I still can't believe this Errol guy did that to you." Wolfram shook his head.

"It hurt and it took a long time for me to move on from him." Casper paused and he seemed to be bracing himself for something. "Wolfram, I have feelings for you. Very strong feelings that scare me witless at times," Casper turned back to face Wolfram with an almost desperate expression on his face. "But I can't be a substitute. Not again."

"What do you mean, substitute?" Wolfram couldn't breathe but this time it wasn't desire cutting off his air. Horror washed over him as he realised where Casper was going with this. "Casper you're not a substitute for anyone." Casper shook his head sadly.

"Can you look me in the eyes and tell me that you're not in love the Maoh anymore?" Wolfram jerked back although there was no judgement in Casper's eyes, only a sad understanding.

"I –" Wolfram opened his mouth but nothing came out. Casper looked away as if that were all the confirmation he needed. "I'm not using you as a substitute, Casper! In fact I'm insulted you would even think I'm capable of such a thing!" Wolfram snapped as heat rose in his cheeks. Wolfram jumped to his feet. He needed some physical distance between himself and Casper right now. Casper slowly stood up to meet his heated gaze.

"If the Maoh were to come riding out here tomorrow and tell you that his marriage to Lady Caz was off, and begged for your forgiveness, would you turn him away to be with me?" Casper looked into Wolfram's eyes. "Could you turn him away, the man you've loved for so long and whose love you've always wanted in return, and chose me instead?"

"But that's never going to happen!" Wolfram protested. There was a pressure building behind his eyes but Wolfram refused to believe that he would cry over this.

Casper looked away. "Do you have any idea what it feels like to be used? Do you know how it feels to love someone, to give them everything, only to find out they felt nothing? To watch them walk away without a second's hesitation?"

"Yuri left me!" Wolfram yelled. "He found his replacement within weeks! Don't lecture me on what it feels like to be replaced!"

"But he believed you were dead," Casper pointed out not unkindly. Wolfram flinched back at Casper's words.

"Why are you saying this to me? I'm nothing like that snake Errol. I don't think of Yuri when we're together."

"You thought about him while you were kissing me." Casper stated. Wolfram stared at Casper in shock. "I felt it in the way you kissed me. Please don't lie to me Wolfram, I deserve better than that."

"Casper…I don't…." Wolfram couldn't think of anything to say. Casper reached out and gently placed a hand against Wolfram's cheek.

"It's ok Wolfram, I know you're not doing it on purpose but I can't be with you if you love someone else. I can't hold you if I'm always wondering who it is you're thinking of. I know it's selfish but if I give my heart away I need to know I'm going to get yours in return. I can't share your bed with someone else. I've been down that road before and I promised myself I would never do it again." Casper looked as miserable as Wolfram felt. Wolfram pressed his lips together to stop them from shaking. He wanted to say that Yuri meant nothing to him, but the words wouldn't come.

"I should go," Casper dropped his hand and turned back to his horse. For a panicked moment Wolfram thought Casper was going to leave the Bielefeld lands altogether. He didn't want things to end like this between them. "I will see you back at your Uncle's home." Casper added as he vaulted lightly into the saddle.

"Casper, I have feelings for you." Wolfram blurted out. Casper turned his violet eyes back to Wolfram and smiled sadly.

"I know you do, and it's killing me to walk away from you like this. But you have to make a decision Wolfram: me or him?" Casper turned his horse's head back towards the forest and set off in a brisk trot. Wolfram watched Casper leave without speaking or moving. He wanted to scream at Casper to come back and yell at him for being so unfair. Hadn't he lost enough? His emotions raged inside him so fast even Wolfram wasn't sure what he felt anymore.

Wolfram sat back down as Casper vanished into the forest. Why had it all gone wrong? The day had started out so well then it had all gone to pieces. Wolfram buried his face in his hands and tried not to scream and cry. Damn Yuri and damn himself. Why did he still love Yuri? Why couldn't he turn his back on the double black and move on? Why couldn't he forget about him or stop thinking and wondering what his life could have been like if Yuri had only loved him. Why did Yuri have to come between him and Casper even though they weren't together anymore? Wolfram wanted to hate Yuri, he wanted to scream and curse his name until he went blue in the face, but he couldn't. He still loved the useless wimp. But he didn't want to love him any longer, he wanted to be free.

*End Chapter*

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