Love and Blood, part 5, p2
Another morning came, but it passed by unnoticed by the two figures sleeping in the warm comfy bed, enjoying the sweet oblivion of sleep. Only on the third try when each four of the maids banged on the door, Conrads heavy eyelids slowly fluttered open and he groggily sat up and looked sleepily around. The sleepiness fell from him in the instant he saw the sun standing high over the horizon, high enough to be already a little before noon.
He jumped from the bed, vagualy hearing a grunt coming from the remaining blankets, but he didn’t care as he almost charged for the bathroom to put himself into a state which was at least presentable, if not perfectly neat.
As he emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed, but barefoot and the uniform jacket still open, Gwendal was only rubbing his tired eyes.
„Get up and dressed! We overslept!“
„Come back to bed...“
„Your precious paperwork is standing still!“
„Come back to bed...“
„Since when are you this lazy?! Up!“ Conrad seized him by the arm and tried to lift him up, but he was caught by surprise as his brother pulled him down and pinned him into the soft sheets, still warm with their body heat.
„Come back to bed.“ Gwendal repeated himself for the third time while placing lazy kisses along Conrad’s jawline.
„Gwendal! We can’t now...“
„Hmmm...why?“
„It’s almost noon!“
The kisses stoped and the body froze. Conrad breathed a sigh of relief and started getting up, but he was stoped again and the kisses ressumed, now accompanied by licks on his neck.
„Gwendal?“
„If we overslept so long, an hour or two doesn’t matter that much now, does it?“
Conrad sighed, but he surrendered himself. „I guess no. Not at all...“ This round would go to Gwendal. Besides, those sloppy kisses felt so damn good...
It was when, besides his jacket, his shirt was open too and his uniform pants halfway down, that the last of the three brothers burst into the room.
„Brother, I think we let you sleep for lon...g enou...gh...“
Wolfram gaped. Conrad blinked. Gwendal stared.
„Wolfram...“ Conrad already opened his mouth to say ‚it’s not what it looks like!‘, but he stoped himself before he even breathed the first word. Saying it would only wvaste his breath.
„You...you..“ their little brother was speechless and for once in his life he couldn’t even find the strength to yell.
„Go to my office. We’ll talk there.“
Wolfram stiffly nodded and marched out without any other word. For a few moments they both kept watching the door their brother disappeared behind just now. Then they both sighed.
„This is...“
„Bad.“
„Exactly. ...I guess I really should get dressed.“
„Yeah. And I’ll finish dressing up. And somehow will my hard-on away.“
„Maybe a cold shower would help.“
„With you?“
...
„Go wash yourself Gwendal.“
„Yessir.“
30 minutes later they stepped into the office. Wolfram was standing next to the window, his gaze unfocused and melancholic as he looked outside. Gwendal had to clear his throat so that Wolfram would notice them, but the blonde didn’t move.
„Wolfram...“ Conrad started cautiously, but he didn’t get to finish.
„I don’t want to hear it.“
„Wolfram...“
„Save your breath Weller.“
Conrad sighed almost inaudibly and let his head fall. Gwendal gave him a sideway glance and then turned to Wolfram, chosing to approach his little brother in Conrad’s stead.
„We’re engaged and want to marry. What did you expect from us?“ he tried to be reasonable and Wolfram huffed.
„I expected my brothers have more dignity than this!“ he turned towards them, eyes fierce, an inferno blazing within them. If Conrad had only a bit less courage, he would’ve taken a step back. But he didn’t budge an inch, not even as his treasured, younger brother headed towards him on colision course. Conrad expected a punch, a blow, a hit, or anythig in this direction and he intended not to struggle, or block any of the blows his younger brother would give him, no. He would let him release his anger on him, and he wouldn’t call himself Lion of Ruttenberg anymore if he didn’t, but...instead of hitting him and beating him to death, Wolfram simply pushed him away, making him lose balance momentarily, and marched out of the office, slamming the door behind himself. And seriously, Conrad didn’t know what to think of it. It wasn’t untill a heavy hand descended upon his shoulder, that he moved, casting a sideway glance towards his other - older brother.
„He’ll be fine.“ He heard the reassuring voice and he found himself nodding.
„I hope so. I really hope so. Actually I wish for it. And it would be better than any wedding present.“ With that he raised his hand and laid it on the one on his shouder. A strong arm wrapped around his waist and he felt himself being pressed into a strong, muscular chest. Gwendal said nothing. And Conrad’s already wounded Heart gained another scar.
*
The rest of the day didn’t go so well either. For once, a new set of letters waited on his table. Since their engagement became public, Gwendal has found every morning a stack of private correspondence on his table...and none of it was one of the good kind. Mostly the not less than 5 sides long letters consisted mainly of insults (the most of them in Conrad’s direction) and the worst wishes, occassionaly reprimands of how they should rethink it, because it wasn’t right, it was sick, it was wrong and so on. Occassionally letters containing only one sentence came with somethinng along the line: Die, dirty scum. Needless to say, Gwendal ripped the letters to shreds before Conrad saw them, or, shinou-forbid, read them, but he knew there was no way in hell that his younger brother didn’t know about their existence.
This became even more clear to him, as Conrad’s eyes fell onto the stack Gwendal hasn’t been able to eliminate, because of their late wake, and his look became unreadable for a moment. Then he closed his eyes and let a small sigh slip, barely audible to hear. Gwendal tossed them into the garbage right away.
„It’s not like it matters. Tomorrow there will be more.“
„Gwendal...“
„No. Forget it. We’re getting married.“
Conrad sighed. „As Your Excellency commands.“
„Conrad...“ Gwendal wlaked towards him. „You can’t possibly expect the people take this lightly and accept it.“
Conrad smiled. „I don’t expect anything. It’s just...a bit bothersom.“
Gwendal raised an eyebrow. „Bothersom.“
„Yes, Gwendal. Bothersom. Nothing more, nothing less.“
Gwendal watched him for a while, until he too, sighed. „Very well then. If you don’t mind, you’re dismissed. I have work to do.“
Conrad smiled lightly. „Yessir.“ (AN: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is the guy in China? I thought he was in the Middle East! -> Sorry, just had to put that in ^^)
*
True enough, the letters didn’t stop. But a week before the wedding a pleasent surprise waited for Gwendal...actually 8 pleasent surprises. 8 letters. He already seized them to throw them into the garbage as the Name von Kleist caught his name. Why in seven hells would of all people Günter write him? They came across each other every day, after all. Actually, they were already on speaking terms. So why would he need to...
The answer came as he opened the envelope and started reading. It started:
Gwendal,
I’m deeply sorry for the pain I caused you both - you and Conrad in the last weeks.
From that point on his day became steadily better, with every word he read. Günter’s letter was filled with sincere friendship and regret over his behavior and how very much luck he wished them into their shared future.
The next was Densham’s letter, which was downright excited. It was written in a cheerfull manner and it ended with how much he was looking forward to the ceremony and that he would be arriving with Waltorana. (Gwendal raised an eyebrow at this). He added a few pictures for the design of the dress, supposedly high fasion.
Lady von Rochefort sent them her regards and wished them a long life together and that she would like them to visit sometime after the wedding for a cup of tea.
Lord von Gyllenhall’s letter was similar. He wrote that they had his full support and if they needed anything, to feel free to come to him at any time.
In the same sense was Lord von Redford’s letter. He also said that he fully supported their decission and that he didn’t expect any less of them. He told them to stay strong and never cease to fight if needed, because what they had was worth it, as their lives. Gwendal intended to give this letter to Conrad. All of them anyway.
The most beautiful letter came from the Wincott house. It was written by both Delchias and Odell and was mostly adressed to Conrad. It was written in such a way that it made Gwendal gulp, trying to hold back the tears sneaking into his eyes. He knew that the von Wincott family cared about his younger brother, but he never knew how much... They wrote that they were sincerely happy for Conrad, that he found his place in life and that he had their every support and love a son and brother can only have. It ended with the words:
I wish you luck, my son. Odell
and then there were the signatures of Delchias and Rinji. Gwendal thought that he would never be able to smile like this again.
At the sight of Stoffel’s letter he became more cautious. He doubted that the man agreed with this. And he learned how wrong he was. The letter said that in spite of his beliefs he was happy for them, mainly because they made his sister happy, happier than she has been in years. Not a word was mentioned about His Majesty.
There was one last letter left. Gwendal picked the envelope up and stared at it for several moments before finally opening it.
Lord von Voltaire,
To make myself clear, my mind didn’t change from our last meeting.
He expected as much already. Gwendal considered throwing the letter away. But then his eyes caught the word However.
*
The week passed and suddenly it was the day of their wedding.
„Are you sure the security is tight enough?“
„Yes.“
„Are you convinced that nothing will happen?“
„Yes.“
„Can you assure me of that?“
„Chill, Your Excellency. Nothing’s going to happen.“
„How can you be so sure?! What if-“
„Your Excellency, CHILL!“ A sigh. „Don’t you have any faith in me? The Castle is guarded by the best guards. Outside each gate, behind each gate, next to every window, two guards at each door and the entire great hall is surrounded by guards, so chill!“
With a heavy sigh Gwendal sunk into his chair. „You’re right. I just want this day to be perfect.“
Yozak approached the table with a smile. „I know. Your little brother deserves as much, huh?“
„...Yeah. He does.“
The wedding planner sat down onto the wooden desk. „I guess it’s really love, huh?“ His words held a slight taint.
„Yozak, I...“
The spy shook his head. „No. Just no, Your Excellency.“
„It’s Gwendal.“
„Eh?“
„I said, it’s Gwendal. Call me Gwendal.“
For a moment Yozak blinked before his lips quirked up into something between a sincere smile and a smirk. „As you wish, Gwendal.“
He stood up, his cheerfull self again. „I’m going to check on captain. He’s sure stressed out as hell.“
„Do that.“
*
„Yozak, for the upteenth time, I’m fine.“
„But your’re marrying today!“ Was it only him, or did his best friend really sound disappointed?
„A person I’m together with for twenty years. In the current state, a marriage is only a mere formality. I’m not even changing my name.“
Yozak sighed. „I still can’t believe you’re so calm...“
„How couldn’t I be? This day has been organized by my best friend. I believe there’s nothing to worry about.“
„Cap...Captain...Thanks...“
„Well, this is rare.“ Conrad smiled at him. „For you to blush...Anyway, there’s no need for modesty. You have been working very hard on this in these past two and half months and I have faith in you.“
Yozak grinned. „True. Say, you might as well get changed.“
„Into my official uniform, I suppose.“
„Yeah, the military ceremony will be held first. After that the civil, in the early afternoon. We need to prepare you at first, after all.“ He gave his captain a playfull wink and Conrad smiled at him.
„I’m happy.“ He hesitated for a second. „Yozak?“
„Yeah?“
„Thank you for everything you have done for us.“
Their eyes met and Yozak understood immediately that they weren’t talking only about the marriage. His smile turned serene. „There’s nothing to thank for.“
„You’re mistaken. There’s a lot to thank for. Really a lot. So, thank you, Yozak.“
It didn’t take a second for them to fall into a tight embrace.
*
As said, the military ceremony was very plain and regardless of family name, rank and gender, always the same. The two of them had to go through a line created by their squadrons, the groom’s on the right side, the ‚bride’s‘ on the left. As they reached the Maou, they had to kneel down in front of him and he would ask them about their loyalty towards the state, towards each other and towards their honor. Finally they would swear themselves to each other and finally pledge to the Maou as a pair - as one.
The only difference was that as the general and Chieff of State Gwendal was being married by the only one higher than him - the King himself. The other soldiers were always being married by him - as the chieff - the commander - the general of the army.
The ceremony was always held outdoors, which was why Gwendal was tense during the whole procedure - one never knew when some fanatic, maniac, or radical would go berserk and attack them, foolishly believing that this was wrong, what they had. But he wouldn’t know, couldn’t know, how right it felt for the both of them. But as his and Conrad’s eyes met for one moment of infinity, he suddenly felt calm and secure. There was something in those honeybrown eyes, which calmed him in one instant. That’s true...while he was with Conrad, nothing could harm him, right? Not while his brother was the Lord Protector, the Lion of Ruttenberg, Hero of Shin Makoku and most importantly: A strong man. A soldier. A fighter. A warrior.
Without any incident or strange occurence, they reached the castle and they parted, both heading into their respective chambers to prepare properly for the much more complicated civil ceremony.
*
It was customary to wear respectively one dark and one light costume of matching colors. They chose blue, because that was the color which suited both of them. Gwendal’s would be indigo matching his eyes and Conrad’s would be...really, what shade?
Gwendal straightened up in shock as he realized that he had no idea how Conrad’s clothes would look. That could prove to be troublesome since it was their mother who...along with Yozak... Cold sweat broke over Gwendal as he thought about it.
Similar thoughts invaded Conrad as he stared at the box in front of him where his supposed suite should be and a grinning Yozak and his innocently smiling mother didn’t really ease his worries.
„Come on, captain! It really isn’t as bad as you think it is! Besides, we put a lot of work into it, so you could at least appreciate it! And also, it isn’t like you can change it now.“
Conrad turned towards him, his smile visibly forced. Finally he nodded. „I guess you’re right.“ Besides he was a man. And true men don’t run away...even if they were about to be publicly humiliated. With a deep breath he finally opened the box and took out the contents.
*
„Gwendal, pacing the room won’t make it better, or change things.“
„I don’t care!“
„You’ll be sweaty.“
„I don’t care!“
„You’ll smell.“
„I SAID I don’t care!!!“
Anissina sighed. She has been locked with him in his room for one long hour, trying to calm her friend down. Without success. Out of sheer despair Gwendal had called her to wait with him and now it proved to be only a waste of time. There was still one hour left to the ceremony and all those experiments she could be doing...
*
„You look dashing!“
„Woooow captain, just woooow...“
„Are you suuure?“
Conrad had serious doubts about their choice as he regarded himself in the mirror. It was just so...unlike him...
„Positive!“ his mother chirped. „You resemble your father so much!“
So little, Conrad corrected her in his mind.
„Oh come on captain!“ Yozak threw one arm around his shoulder. „Gwendal will strip you with his look. Pretty much everybody in the hall, I suppose.“
„For sure!“ his mother squeeled.
Conrad sighed, resigning. He had little of choice now, anyway, so he simply was to acknowledge defeat and surrender before he lost more of his...soldiers? Pride? Dignity? He couldn’t think straight anymore.
„Fine...Now, since I’m all set, the ceremony could start right away, no? Why should we wait another hour?“
The frowns he got he didn’t like at all.
„All set?“
„You are so silly sometimes!“
„What about your appearence?“
„You can’t marry without a proper style!“
He paled. „Wait, you can’t possibly...“
He was silence as his mother and his best friend (traitor!) seized him and pushed him into a chair. „Sit! Let us handle this!“
„We start with the hair!“
„Stop...“
part 3