[Kyou Kara Maou] Learning The Verity - Truth #5
Title: Learning The Verity
Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou
Rate: T (It may or may not go up in the future)
Pairing: Both of Yuuram & Wolfyuu
Genre: A mix of Romance/Angst/Adventure/Drama/Humour/Suspense/Mystery
Summary:
Did Wolfram really love Yuuri like he always said? Yuuri fell into confusion as he learned the truth about Wolfram, and also, about someone behind the disaster which endangered his kingdom and his own life.
FFnet version here.
Dictionary:
Shin Makoku: New Makoku
Shou Shimaron: Small Shimaron
Dai Shimaron: Big Shimaron
Maryoku: The Demon Tribe's magic, controlled by using Majutsu (the Demon's power).
Houryoku: The God Race/Shinzoku's magic (a race from a country named Seisakoku). Humans also can use houryoku by holding red stones (Houseki).
I use the Japanese way to call the countries because the anime's subtitles used them. Thus, I think you can feel more familiar with those Japanese names. And about the magic things, I use those names just simply to differentiate between the Demon's magic and the Human's magic. =3
LEARNING THE VERITY
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#5 Truth:
The Mysterious Castle In Vescavia
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"Beautiful~!"
A squeal from the sexy queen echoed throughout the ship, the one that the former Maou usually used for her Searching For Free Love Journey.
"Mother, I am not pleased to be called beautiful," the young demon with auburn, long waved hair, deep purple eyes, and a long-sleeved blue dress protested, annoyed.
"And I don't think that it was a compliment, ha-ha….," an awkward laugh slipped from the half-human King with straight long brown hair and honey-coloured eyes.
"But your emerald-coloured frilly dress looks beautiful, Your Majesty! Look at the hue in my Wolfie's real eyes' colour! So~ beautiful!" the sexy queen cried in excitement, while locking the poor young demon into a motherly-too tight-hug.
"Mo-ther…"
"Well, well, everything looks good!" the bespectacled person, with bright blond hair - tied into two braids on the left and right - and blue eyes, grinned from ear to ear.
"Oh, Your Eminence too is beautiful! That yellow, short-sleeved dress looks good on you!"
"Thank you, Lady Celi!"
"And why do you look so happy, Murata….?" the King narrowed his eyes as he saw the Sage dancing around the ship in his long dress. "And what's with those braids… Are you trying to be a pure village girl…?"
Murata smirked, halting his dance right before Yuuri. "You're such an amateur, Shibuya. These glasses! These braids! And these fake busts! They are partners, the important parts of becoming a cute girl!"
"As expected, Your Eminence is so clever and cute~!" Celi ran towards the sage and buried him between her bosoms, squealing while giving the boy a tight hug. Said sage was only grinning, totally happy to taste the former Maou's embrace.
"And let go of my mother!" Wolfram shouted in irritation, separating them by force, as he knew that the perverted sage wouldn't let go of her mother if he didn't interfere.
"Ha-ha…," Yuuri faked a laugh, stealing a glance at his fiancé. Wolfram with that long wavy hair was really fascinating. He looked exactly like a beautiful lady, if only his muscled arms and those masculine legs weren't peeking from beneath the dress. And add his attitudes to the list, he was far from feminine.
"This is good because mother can lend us her ship to go to Vescavia," Conrart joined in from behind the King, smiling like usual. He wore his brown uniform, not the casual outfit he used when he usually went to human countries. He was in a mission to escort the ladies to Vescavia after all.
"Because Fan Fan has some business in Calvacade!" Celi replied, clasping her hands besides her cheek, while her face became pink from thinking about meeting her lover. Fanbalen left Shin Makoku early in the morning after Wolfram's birthday party to run his business in other countries. And hearing that Yuri would go to Vescavia, Celi happily offered her ship because Calvacade and Vescavia were neighbours.
The young Demon King licked his itchy lips. He wasn't used to wearing lipstick, and he never thought that he would be forced to use it this often. Actually he thought that they would dress up as girls after they arrived at Vescavia, but Gwendal insisted that they should stay disguised even from Shin Makoku. The stern guy was afraid that there were spies from Vescavia who could see that the real match making participants were actually the King and the Sage themselves. And of course, Lady Celi and Anissina gladly help with all of the disguise needs, from dresses and evening gowns, to accessories and make up.
Sighing, Yuuri walked to the deck to enjoy the sea breeze. The weather was good; it aroused his young blood that despite the fact that he was wearing a dress, he was still having a journey to a whole new country. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the scent of the sea, then slumped his gaze to the blue water underneath.
He knew he had forced himself. His body temperature wasn't any better than yesterday. But he still hoped that at least it didn't go any higher, so that he could finish this journey first. After all, he really needed to go to somewhere, to occupy his mind with things he must think, rather than spending his day on the bed from sickness. Because…
It would make him think about Wolfram.
"I can't walk around with these, these… disgusting torturing tools!" the fire wielder's howl greeted Yuuri's ears, pulling him back from his brooding.
"Those are high heels, Lord von Bielefeld," Murata explained, fixing his flashing glasses' position. "I believe you've worn them before."
"Like I care about their name!" with that, the hot-blooded demon stomped inside the ship harshly to go to his compartment. His action was obviously inviting the others to laugh at him. Yuuri, who was staring at him silently, smiled before realizing something was wrong with Wolfram.
Something was different. Wrong. Weird. Yuuri now noticed about that already. But what was that 'something'?
His attitude was still bratty like usual, his face was still as cute as usu-
Ahem! Scratch that. The thing was not about his appearance, but about…. His seasickness!
Widening his eyes, Yuri gaped in realization. Wolfram always vomited every time he was on a ship, but this time, Yuuri didn't see him troubled with it at all. He looked fine, he even looked healthier than Yuuri with his fever that he currently had. What had happened to the blond actually? How could he have managed to cure his seasickness?
"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" Conrart inquired from right beside him suddenly, making Yuuri surprised that he didn't notice his godfather's presence before.
"Conrad, I'm fine, why?" Yuuri laughed sheepishly.
"Your face is red," the brunette retorted with concern, the smile not leaving his face.
"Ah…," Yuuri fidgeted. Must be the fever…
"I'm fine, really! Oh, rather than me, doesn't Wolfram look weird? He doesn't spit up!" the King briefly changed the topic, afraid that Conrart would find out about his sickness. The last thing he wanted now was to stay in bed all the time and think about his stubborn fiancé.
Upon hearing Yuuri's reply, Conrart's saintly smile changed into a hesitated smile. "Wolfram's alright. He just has something on his mind."
"…Really?"
The young Maou gazed at the deck's wooden tiled floor, ignoring how the wind played with his now long brown hair, and blew his frilly green dress until half of his legs could be seen. His eyes shook a bit as he decided to do something that he had been afraid of too much.
"I'm talking to Wolfram," he muttered before half-jogging to go inside the ship, searching for his fiancé in one of the compartments.
Conrart, being left behind, only followed his godson's movements with his eyes, swam into a deep thinking, before he felt a light tap on his arm.
"Are you worried about something, Conrart?"
"Mother," he shifted his gaze towards the blonde woman, then smiled in an assuring manner. "No, it's just…."
"About Your Majesty and Wolfram, isn't it?"
The brunette widened his eyes in surprise then softened his gaze again after realizing that his mother was an expert of romance. She wouldn't meet any difficulties noticing Yuuri and Wolfram's strange behaviour.
"It's hard to have a stubborn little brother and godson, Lord Weller," Murata chuckled from behind Lady Celi. His hands played with his braids, swinging them happily just because it was his first time having such long hair - which almost reached his waist.
"Hmmm…," Celi wrinkled her forehead, imitating Gwendal. "I'm curious to know what they're talking about."
"Mother!"
"Just a little eavesdropping will do! Come with me, Your Eminence?" she squealed, half jumping before winking to the perverted sage.
"My pleasure, Lady Celi~!" the sage grinned, and you could guess his expression now, it was the one he usually wore every time he met girls.
"No! Mother! Your Eminence!" Conrart stretched out his hand, trying to catch his mother. But unfortunately for him, said mother had bounced and grabbed the Sage's hand, pulling him to search for Yuuri and Wolfram's room. Thus, the brunette only sighed in depression, massaged his temples, and then decided to join the eavesdropping team.
Wolfram laid his back on one of the twin beds the compartment had. He placed his knuckles on his closed eyes, setting his breathing to calm his mind. His light blue high heels were scattered on the floor, and his dress was wrinkled from his messy way of lying on the bed. The sun peeked from the small window besides his bed, and he could see how high and blue the sky was when he opened his eyes.
This was the second time he didn't suffer seasickness. The first one was when he was worried for Yuuri and searched for him together with Gisela and Darcascos. At that time, his mind was fully invaded by Yuuri's well being, afraid that the King would face something terrible without any of his bodyguards besides him. And now, his mind was occupied by his own confusion about his feelings.
He hadn't had the guts to face Yuuri since his birthday night. He knew he must apologize properly. He trashed Yuuri's kindness - his pure will to make Wolfram happy. If Yuuri wasn't such a wimpy King, Wolfram would have been beheaded from his impoliteness towards the King.
The noble demon sat up, running his fingers through his new auburn hair, his eyes lingering throughout the room. The ship was quite large, with two stories inside. The first level was where the compartments and the control room were located, while the second level - meaning it was in the lower part of the ship - was where the galley, engine room, and the sailors' cabins were located.
The room which Wolfram chose was the nearest to the stairs to go outside - to the deck. It had two beds, one wooden desk, and one chair, placed near the door. It had a simple wardrobe too, and a bathroom which had a shower in it. Of course, this simple small room wouldn't be good for Lady Cecilie, and Wolfram noticed that his mother's bedroom must be the one with the biggest door by the end of the hallway. Wolfram wouldn't have to peek inside to guess about how luxurious the chamber would be.
A sudden knock on the door startled him, and soon after a brown-haired lady peeked inside, smiling sheepishly.
"Yuuri."
"Hey," Yuuri replied, slowly making his way to the vacant bed, next to Wolfram's.
"Are you… alright?"
Wolfram stared at him, leaning his back to the bed header. "I am. Why?'
"Uhm, then it means that you're thinking about something, right?" the other boy answered with a question, rubbing his back of neck wimpily. He didn't have enough courage to stare back at his fiancé, so he pretended to find that the wooden floor was interesting to look at.
Wolfram observed the King's visible nervousness. Not long after, he realized that rather than the King, he was the one who was supposed to break their awkward relationships. He was the one who was at fault after all.
"Sorry about the cake…"
At that time, Yuuri's forced smile faded. His eyes which were locked to the floor were now shaking, as his heart opened the hole which he had tried so hard to close these past two days.
"It's alright," he finally mustered the ability to talk, although his voice sounded more like a pathetic whisper.
"Yuuri, it was my bad. I was too busy with my own problems and I pushed them onto you, something that I wasn't supposed to do," Wolfram continued on, as if he didn't hear the King's words.
All in all, it was true. He wasn't supposed to do that. He should have accepted the cake, not refusing it and disappointing Yuuri. He was just like a child who wanted everyone to know about his problems and nod their heads in understanding when he showed his enraged emotions. But he wasn't a child anymore. He was a shameless adult with child-like emotions.
"I deeply apologize for doing something as disgraceful as my demeanour yesterday towards my King. I am prepared to receive any kind of punishment from you."
"King?"
Yuuri snapped his eyes to Wolfram who gazed at him firmly. Of all the things he could have said, he didn't expect the bishounen to bring his position about now. Why should Wolfram think that way about his effort in making him happy? He didn't make that cake for gaining this kind of attention from the soldier; he was earnest, for crying out loud!
"Wolfram, you know that I wouldn't punish people just because they refused my handmade cake, would I?" he sharply stared at Wolfram's new purple orbs.
The fire demon noticed the King's trembling lips as he uttered those words. And yes, he knew that Yuuri wouldn't punish him. It was simply his gratitude of showing his deep guilt to the Maou, and his way of torturing himself. As each words slipped from his mouth were replaced by aches sliding inside his heart.
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry Yuuri."
Subsequently, Yuuri trailed his eyes to the floor again, whilst his fingers started playing with the brown locks that spill down passing his shoulders.
Enough, he muttered silently. Enough of this, he shouldn't let himself to be annoyed by these things any further.
But why did everything that Wolfram said and did to him have such an impact on him? Why was every single word from Wolfram capable in making his heart fly into excitement, and sometimes sink into grief?
It felt like he was starting to fall for Wolfram…
Biting his inner mouth, he shook his head, remembering what Gisela had said to him.
"Your Majesty, what you feel towards having trouble breathing has something to do with your heart. It's a mental sickness. You should think more about what has made you suffer."
Did it mean that his asthma was created because his heart was aching from knowing that Wolfram didn't love him? Did it mean that he was too stressed out about Wolfram, and for those reasons he had fallen into depression and caused him to suffer asthma? Did it mean that it actually wasn't asthma at all, but he was enduring a broken heart…?
…No.
No, it wasn't it. No.
…But it was indeed occur every time Wolfram hurt his heart.
"Hey, Wolfram, let's just forget about this, okay?" Yuuri promptly cocked his head up, facing his fiancé with an idiotic grin. "That night you said that you needed time, maybe to ease your mind. Sometimes I need time to calm myself too, and I also often release my anger on Shouri. So I completely understand, and besides, everyone deserves to be forgiven."
"…If you wish so," the demon then simply smiled after a long silence, knowing Yuuri's personality too well. "Next time I'll pay it by making a cake for you."
"Aah, no, you don't need to," Yuuri waved his hand in assuring. "But if you insist to pay it….," his voice hung in mid air.
"If I insist to pay it?" Wolfram echoed with one brow raised.
Tell me what your real feelings about me are…
"Yuuri?" the bishounen inquired again.
"Ah, ehm, let's play throw and catch! Yeah, that's it," the King abruptly spoke up, swallowing the real sentence he wanted to utter. No, he did not want to say it. No…
Wolfram stared blankly, but then shrugged as he understood that Yuuri was being a baseball fanatic again as usual. "Alright, wimp."
"Not a wimp."
But then, perhaps he was.
"But Yuuri, allow me to ask you about one thing," Wolfram hesitantly started. His expression was somewhat torn between confusion and fright, but also, there was a glimpse of conviction that what he would do was the right thing to do. Meanwhile, the King only sat silently on the bed and shot a nod to gesture his 'go on' sign to his fiancé.
"Do you think we could get married someday?"
"Eh?" Yuri blinked as his heart felt like stopping.
"Wolfram... weren't... weren't you the one who declined Waltorana's suggestion about our marriage…"
"I declined to get marriage in the near future indeed. But I'm talking about our possibility. Is it possible for us to get married even if it's a hundred years more from now on?"
Upon hearing Wolfram's explanation, the King clutched his jade-coloured dress and shifted uncomfortably on the bed. He wasn't prepared to receive such an unexpected bullet from Wolfram. Not right now. Besides, that question was…
"Your Majesty! Wolfie! Did I hear about marriage?" the compartment's door was slammed open out of the blue, revealing a figure of a sexy, blonde, former Maou, who ecstatically sprinted and pulled the two boys into a hug.
"Mother!"
"Lady Celi!"
Two desperate whines were produced by the two young boys. They gasped as their noses pressed tightly against her bosoms, making it hard for them to breathe. And what currently Yuuri did in this situation was… screaming secretly in panic.
Her... her bosoms on my nose! Wol-Wolfram's cheek touching my cheek!
"Let go of me, Mother!" Wolfram yelled, releasing himself from his mother and grabbing the King's arm to pull him off from Lady Celi's embrace. Said King only blinked his eyes repeatedly wearing a deep flushing face. Still, he couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
Which one actually had made him flushed? Lady Celi's bosoms which he had experienced many times already, or… Or Wolfram's smooth, silky, and unbelievably nice cheek?
At this thought, Yuuri's face grew redder as he felt smoke flying out from his ears.
What am I thinking about!
He shut his eyes tightly and shook his head violently until he could feel it almost fall off from his neck. He should not think about that! He. Should. NOT! Get a hold on yourself, Shibuya Yuuri!
"Yuuri?" Wolfram carefully called, eyeing the young Maou's strange behaviour, with his hand still grabbing Yuuri's arm.
"Our Demon King is thinking about perverted things….," Murata suddenly popped out from behind Celi, smirking slyly with his naughty eyes. And beside him, Yuuri could see Conrart who coughed and cleared his throat, either because he was ashamed from being caught in doing the little eavesdropping mission, or because he felt uneasy about Murata's words.
"Yuuri! You're thinking of naughty things about my mother!" Wolfram shrieked in disbelief, clenching his other hand tightly, while the one which on Yuuri's arm moved to grab the King's shoulder, bringing the wimp close to his face.
"No! Wolfram! I don't think about Lady Celi, really!" Yuuri waved his hands feverishly once he felt Wolfram's warm breath touched his skin. It smells like cinnamon, no, no, his odour tastes like orange… Argh! Stop closing your gap with me!
"You're not…?" Wolfram confirmed, still narrowing his eyes in attempt to threaten Yuuri.
"Oh, Wolfie, Your Majesty is thinking about you!" Celi squeaked, followed by Murata's wicked laugh that sounded really annoying in Yuuri's ears.
"About me?" Wolfram released his clutch from Yuuri, making the King almost trip down, but luckily still could manage his balance.
"No! What are you two talking about, Lady Celi, Murata! I don't think about anything, okay!" the Maou shouted with his crimson face, covering his embarrassment with anger. He was clearly thinking about some… improper things. But it wasn't for public knowledge, was it?
"Okay, okay, relax, Shibuya. We only teased you," Murata formed a broad grin, then nudged Conrart's waist to give him a sign. "Right, Lord Weller?"
"Oh, yes, Your Majesty, we didn't mean anything to harm you," the half-human soldier smiled in a saintly manner.
"But you three eavesdropped us," Wolfram countered, glaring dangerously to the three uninvited guests as he tapped one of his feet in annoyance.
"That's right," Yuuri agreed, narrowing his eyes and crossed his arms over his fake breasts. And with that, the three only grinned and shrugged their shoulders before disappearing behind the door again. In short, they were escaping.
"What is this….?"
The maiden's voice trembled in her throat, as her eyes widened. The Oracle Room was as solemn as usual, with dimmed light being the only one that helped the oracle to see everything inside. But something was different in there. Something strange that could make Ulrike scream out in her terror.
It was the boxes… the boxes were shaking again, and this time harder.
The blond Original King showed up right behind her, sending his ocean-coloured orbs to scan the moving boxes. The black mist that slightly seen around them didn't escape from his eyes. And also… those stains, the marks that painted the boxes just like random snakes, were all glowing.
"Ulrike! Put a barrier all around the boxes!"
"Yes, Great One!" the long-haired priest obeyed and quickly kneeled down, clasping her hands before her chin to start her pray.
"This…," Shinou narrowed his eyes.
This atmosphere feels really familiar…
"And so… this is that normal human country…."
The young King mumbled wearily once they stepped on the harbour. Lady Cecilie had continued her sailing right to Calvacade, as the small party - three ladies and one bodyguard - used a small boat to get to the harbour. The journey itself took them four straight days to get to Vescavia from Shin Makoku.
It was just like all the other harbours Yuuri had seen before, with some big ships anchored all around it. The sailors, fishermen, and some merchants also could be seen in there, and right after they walked out from the harbour, they were greeted by a market.
They sold everything - from food, fruits, to accessories - along the streets, and women seemed eager to shop while the men carried some big sacks on their backs. Yuuri assumed that those sacks contained rice, or flour, or something like that. Well, it was exactly similar with Shin Makoku's market, but…
"It precisely looks normal, except for…," Wolfram voiced out, sending his eyes all over the place. "They all read thick books and wear thick glasses…"
Indeed, every man and woman that Yuuri could see were all carrying thick books in front of their faces, and the size of their glasses were abnormal, just like seeing grasshoppers walking around the streets. And Yuuri wondered, how could they move, shop, and carry those large sacks with their hands and eyes were focusing on their books? Yes, the sacks were tied on their backs and they wouldn't have to use their hands to carry them, but still, it was beyond weird.
"They love science, remember?" Murata grinned, pointing his index finger in mid air.
"It is interesting," Conrart added while they walked along the street. His arm nudged a woman with bright-red-coloured dress and thick glasses, resulting the brunette to say his apology to her.
Still travelling the place with his eyes, Yuuri now realized that nothing could be normal as long as he was still in this other world. With that thought, he sighed, scratching his head while dragging his feet to keep his walking pace. As the wind blew towards him, he hugged his own arms, trying to survive from the chill which was attacking him as his fever was increased.
He didn't take any medicine at all, not even the first day he got the cold, and it was already the fifth day. The sea breeze made his condition even worse, and he often went to bathroom to wet his handkerchief with cold water and place it on his forehead. It didn't help much, but at least he hoped it could make his temperature become steady. He even avoided any physical contacts with Conrart, Wolfram, Murata and Celi, so that they wouldn't know about his fever.
Yuuri glanced towards his fiancé, who was admiring the country's view with wide eyes. His relationship with Wolfram was now better as they often chatted together, although they still didn't sleep in the same compartment. Yuuri didn't offer his room, nor did he try to sleep in Wolfram's. But it was not a new thing if the demon would come and sleep in Yuuri's room as an uninvited guest. Still, Wolfram didn't come to his room at all in the last four days.
Truthfully, Yuuri thought that they had made up at the moment when Wolfram said his apology to him. He thought Wolfram only needed time to be alone for a while. But after all, for the bishounen, his words that night were still applicable even now.
"Yuuri, I'm sorry. I'll sleep in my room from now on."
The King swallowed. It should have made him happy, to get his own room without Wolfram's punches and kicks startled him from his slumber. But instead, it disturbed his heart and mind. Not because he felt that lonely without Wolfram, and also not because he missed his fiancé's presence besides him. No, those weren't the reasons. The real thing that had troubled him was, he couldn't comprehend what exactly had happened to Wolfram behind his sudden change.
Yuuri cognized every time he went to the deck to calm his mind, he would find the young demon spend his time alone, thinking about something whilst staring at the sea. As what Conrart told him, as long as Wolfram still didn't suffer his seasickness, then it meant his fiancé was still bothered about something. And 'that something' was probably related to Wolfram's refusal to sleep with him.
Yuuri groaned. Everything about Wolfram had made insecurity to grow within him. Although now he could sleep for awhile, he still would often find himself to be awake and think about Wolfram.
His reasons for having asthma, Wolfram's strange behaviours, Wolfram's feelings towards him, and Wolfram's still unanswered question about their possibility to get married. Those were always invading his brain every time he had time to be alone.
Every single time he closed his eyes, Wolfram's question would resound in his mind. Yuri really didn't know what to do nor what to say to Wolfram regarding the fire demon's question. He didn't understand about what he really felt towards his fiancé. Although he sensed recognition had begun to go through his thick skull, he still stubbornly drove it off, and even thinking that it might be better if things kept on going like this. And it was all because…
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Conrart cut off his reverie, enquiring in a low voice whilst his eyes were sparked with worries. No doubt, he was concerned seeing Yuuri hugging his arms.
"I- I'm fine, Conrad!" Yuuri briefly released his arms from his hands nervously, walking faster to cover up his condition. He swore he wouldn't want to be bedridden. Not now, please. Knowing that he should walk as faster as he could to avoid Conrart, Yuuri fastened his pace, making him bump onto someone and slide down the road.
"Yuuriya!"
"Lady Yuuriya!"
"Yuuriya!"
As expected, his three companions dashed towards him, shouting their worries with the new name for the King - a pathetic lame name to be exact. Yuuri groaned, feeling his body ached as his skin was overly sensitive from the fever. Falling to an uneven road was undoubtedly adding his hurt.
"I'm sorry!" a female's voice could be heard soon after, as a slender figure of a young, lavender-haired lady came into Yuuri's sight. Her skin was pale, with freckles on her cheeks and nose, making her look like she was wearing a slight blush. She wore glasses just like the other residents did, but Yuuri thought that it wasn't that thick. At least, it was almost the same size with the one that Murata used.
"Ah, I'm the one who should say sorry. Are you okay?" Yuuri quickly stood up, smiling while taking the book the girl dropped.
Accepting the book, the girl stood up and smiled, retorting quite confusedly. "You have a deep voice for a woman…"
"Eh?" Yuuri yelped, cursing inwardly that he forgot to change his voice. He coughed, panickly, bringing his hand into a fist before his mouth and trying to speak, hoarsely. "I'm having a cold," he reasoned, ignoring the daggering glare from his fiancé behind him.
Yes, yes, he knew that he was stupid for talking with a man voice, not like Murata who merrily changed his voice several pitch higher when he cried 'Yuuriya' before. But hey, Wolfram too had screamed 'Yuuriya' without changing his voice, didn't he? Besides, Yuuri didn't want to sound so… funny like Murata when he yelled earlier. It made his body hair stand.
"Oh, forgive me for being impolite," the girl expressed, then sweetly smiled again, "I hope you'll get well soon," she flicked her straight long hair, and put it behind her ear, exposing her ruby-coloured-stone earring. But she let her other ear to be covered by her hair.
"Thank you," Yuuri nodded, captivated by the redness the stone had. It was just as red as blood…
"Well then," the girl bowed slightly, then began to walk again, leaving the group behind. As she had disappeared from Yuuri's sight, the King then found an exact same earring with the one he saw on the girl's ear.
"Hey, isn't this that girl's?" Yuuri bent over and took the small earring from the ground. It was silver, round-shaped, with the red stone on its centre. Simple but mesmerizing enough to add to a girl's beauty.
"But she's already gone, Lady Yuuriya. Why don't you keep it, in case we would meet her again," Conrart suggested. He had known Yuuri's personality too well, so he wouldn't waste his time to forbid Yuuri in chasing the girl, but giving another plausible suggestion instead. "Besides you're in need to rest."
"Ah, maybe you're right," Yuuri nodded. He didn't want to admit it, but his body was already on its peak of fatigue. He even could feel a slight quiver began to attack him, thanks to the fever.
"Tomorrow is the party, so for now we just need to find an inn to rest," Murata expounded, with his hand playing again with the braids. "The sun will set soon, so we'd better hurry."
Nodding, all of the party members then quickly made their way towards the nearby inn. Conrart - being the only gentleman among the group - took care of their belongings and led the walk, while Wolfram, Yuuri and Murata followed him with their eyes busy observing the country's sight. It was singular and weird, yet it was also fun to see.
"What are they thinking about?" Gwendal barked, standing out of the sudden with his hands on the desk, making the piles of papers to shake. Everything had been beyond his control, he really had lost his patience.
"It is too sudden. Franchia is the fifth country in these five days that want to call off their diplomatic relationship with us," Günter shook his head, closing his eyes in agitation as he remembered how the letters continued to come from various human countries to break off the diplomatic bond with Shin Makoku.
"Calling off diplomatic relationships isn't as easy as this! They should at least come and explain to us, not only sending these useless papers and hide like cowards!"
"Do you think I need to go to those countries to make further actions?" Günter sighed, looking at the wrinkled man behind the desk. Gwendal's stress had been amplified again, and the lilac-haired advisor began to feel sorry for him. If only he could help Gwendal a little, then he would, of course.
"Are you calling me, Your Excellency?" the office's door opened after a light knock sounded from behind it.
"Geigenhuber," Günter called when his eyes caught the gray-haired man with one eye's figure.
"I want you to go to Franchia. Conrart's underling has sent us his report about this country, but he still couldn't find any reasonable excuses about why King Antoine is breaking off our relationship. As one of the official nobles of Shin Makoku, you're capable of facing the royalty in Franchia," Gwendal commanded sternly, not wanting to waste any more time.
"Yes, Your Excellency Gwendal," Geigenhuber nodded.
"And Günter, I need you to help me in here. We don't have His Eminence the Sage now, so we need your brain," Gwendal added, glancing at the royal advisor.
"If it would help you, then I'd be glad to stay, Gwendal. But what about the other four countries?" Günter stepped nearer to the desk, titling his head to the side.
"Franchia is a country in which our Demon King went to and formed a good relationship by himself. King Antoine and Layla also befriended him. Perhaps we could get information from this country more than from any other country," Gwendal explained, grunting silently at the matter. It was confusing for him. At Wolfram's birthday party, Antoine and Layla still came and looked so friendly, and now they break the alliance? What had gotten inside their heads?
"Your Excellency, is it possible that Dai Shimaron is behind this?" Geigenhuber spoke up with his calm expression, but there was deep thought behind it.
"Possibly."
"We're still waiting for Josak's report from Dai Shimaron," Günter uttered, whilst his hands were busy arranging the letters from those human countries. "His Majesty will be quite disappointed when he hears about this."
"One more thing, Your Excellency," the one-eyed man voiced out again, this time with a concerned tone of voice.
"I heard from The Great One's temple's maidens that the boxes shook again."
Right after hearing the report, Gwendal's and Günter's eyes widened in a daze. Not long after, the grumpy guy moved his fingers to knit the air, feeling he was going to lose his sanity very soon. The conflicts were maddening, driving him crazy. They were too many for him to handle.
"What's actually going on in this world…?"
The castle was huge, and it was built European style, just like the castles Yuuri usually found in the fairytale books. It had towers, chimneys, and sky coloured rooftops, standing almighty on the top of a green hill. To get to the castle, they had to pass civilians' houses, markets, schools, and other public facilities below the hill. Once they arrived at the hill's feet, they were greeted by the guards and were allowed to pass through the stone gate.
There was a path - enough for six carriages to race on - behind the gate. And that path was leading them to another gate - this time a steel gate - right on the peak of the hill. Once they managed to get in, the view inside was scintillating under the moonlight, enough to make the young Demon King to open his mouth in awe.
There was a small stream, with clear water and fishes swimming in it, lying along the path. Flowers and greenery were planted and arranged beautifully, even there were some plants shaped like birds, dogs and cats. The biggest plant in there even shaped like a dragon, with its wings spread out graciously. Yuuri could only chuckle admiringly, thinking how the gardeners in this country were really creative. He should make Darcascos to shape some plants too in Shin Makoku. A bearbee shaped tree maybe.
Their carriage finally arrived in front of the castle's front door. There was a small pond in front of the door, which had a little dragon's head attached on the pond's side, with flowing water from its mouth. The front door itself was wide open, greeting every guest to come and enjoy themselves in the party.
Conrart opened the carriage's door and offered his hand to help Yuuri, Murata and Wolfram step down to the ground. Yuuri and Murata accepted his hand thankfully of course, but wolfram only jumped and stomped hard his feet, still not liking the idea of disguising as a woman.
"We are from Shin Makoku. I'm Lord Conrart Weller, and these beautiful ladies are Lady Yuuriya Shiburan, Lady Muririn Kenchan and Lady Wolfrin Bienize," Conrart, wearing his formal uniform, introduced himself while gesturing to the three ladies behind him. The escort made some checks on his list, and then bowed to let them in.
"What's with those names," Wolfram gritted his teeth, lifting his gown so that he could stomp his feet raspingly.
"Wolfram, stop acting that masculine."
Conrart faced the stubborn demon with a gentle smile, although deep inside he really wanted to laugh loudly seeing his pretty younger brother in a purple - with silver beads - gown. Wolfram's auburn hair was crowned by silver hair pines, with some diamonds - which Murata explained to be called as Monddia Stones in here - in flowers shapes. And don't forget the high heels, wolfram was forced to wear lavender-coloured high heels with silver ribbons tied his ankles.
"This is fun! I really can't have this kind of experience on Earth!"
Murata expressed with a grin, showing off his blonde braids which were now entwined by red shiny ribbons all along them. He was wrapped in a low neckline maroon-coloured gown, with pink fur on the waist line and on the skirt's edge. His high heels were the same colour as his ribbons; bright and shiny red.
"I really can't understand what's inside genius people's minds…"
Yuuri whimpered wearily, sweat dropping at Murata's term. He winced while glancing at his own gown, an orange ruffled dress, with long sleeves and small ribbons decorating the back side; from the neck line onto the waist line. His brown hair was tied into a pony tail, completed by a small white rose above his ear. And his high heels were white coloured, with a touch of orange stones on the toes part.
"Now, now, ladies, please watch your speaking from now on, agreed?" Conrart reprimanded, lowering his head to face the three young fake ladies. Said women only nodded their heads in agreement, as they knew that they shouldn't speak or people would know that they were guys.
They stepped inside the ballroom, and gasped all at once. The decoration was extravagant, with red-wine-coloured carpet on the floor, a giant crystal lamp - which actually filled with small candles - and flowers which were arranged neatly on every corners and tables. But actually the ones that made them surprised was the number of grasshopper... ehm, thick glasses people still with their infamous books on their hands.
"Look, that must be the King," Conrart pointed out with a slight move on his head, showing Yuuri the Vescavia's King's direction. "I have to greet him as an official representative of Shin Makoku."
Yuuri eyed at the light-gray-haired King, who was sitting on the throne, in the far wall from where Yuuri stood. His skin was the same colour as Murata, quite pale. He surprisingly didn't wear glasses at all, while his eyes were the colour of turquoise. His jaw line was firm, and his posture was not too thin and not too fat, average, with unknown height because he was sitting.
"Wolfram," Conrart bent over to whisper, whilst Yuuri was still busy observing the Vescavia's King. "Keep your eyes on Your Majesty."
Wolfram cocked his head up to his little big brother, bewildered. "I will, but why?"
"Just do it," the brunette replied boldly, then briefly walked to where the Vescavia's leader sat, leaving Wolfram to stand there, guessing about what Conrart thought about.
"May I have a dance with you?"
A man with thick glasses offered his hand to Wolfram, and made the fire wielder, Murata, and Yuuri jerk their faces towards the voice's origin. Immediately, the three of them grimaced, realizing that it was a match making party, and their appearances would stand out between the thick glasses women in the ballroom.
Wolfram shook his head quickly, trying to outcast the man without having to voice out his boy vocalization. But unfortunately for him, the man was persistent, still begging for his kindness, making wolfram to be irritated even more. In the mean time, Murata was dragged out of the sudden by a random man to the dance floor. Poor him for not having enough strength to struggle. And Yuuri, his dense brain started to think that he had to sneak out from this room so that he wouldn't have to be flirted with by men.
Without Wolfram and Murata's knowing, the young Demon King quickly walked out from the ballroom and attempted to find a rest room. But suddenly, his eyes' corner caught a figure of a familiar lavender-haired woman, with a red earring reflecting the light on her ear. Remembering the earring he had been keeping since yesterday, Yuuri promptly followed the girl, who was walking down the castle's hallway.
The girl's steps were oddly fast, and it resulted in disadvantage for Yuuri. He tried to run, but his feet weren't used to high-heels, making him almost stumble and trip every time he increased his speed. And finally, all because of those high-heels, Yuuri lost sight of the lady.
"Where is she…?" he mumbled to himself, glancing around the hallway.
And where am I…?
He gulped, noticing that he didn't know where he was. It was still a hallway, but this castle had too many hallways after all.
Examining his surrounding, Yuuri found that the place's floor was covered by red-wine-coloured carpet, just like the ballroom. And along the walls were paintings of the current King's ancestors. Yuuri knew it because there were names under the portraits, with 'King' and 'Queen' titles patched before the names.
I really have to get back…, he sighed in a tired manner, after viewing the paintings one by one.
Intertwining his fingers, he slowly stepped back to where he came from, essaying to find a way back. But as he met an intersection, he halted to consider which direction he should take. He didn't pay attention when he was chasing the girl before, that was why he had no idea where he came from.
A cold breeze touched his skin, probably slipping from the open windows. Shivering, he brushed his arms against his palms. Yuuri realized, his temperature was getting higher again. He felt weak. His whole body now trembled from the cold. He knew, he wouldn't be able to walk again with these jelly-like legs he had.
With the thought, he leaned his back to the nearest wall, sliding down to crouch and resting his rotating sight. But when the small of his back met the floor, a weird 'click' sound was heard. And without Yuuri's awareness, the wall behind him slid open out of the blue, making him fall on his back, swallowed into the darkness behind the wall…
"Yes, Your Majesty Gregorian Blackbourne, it's our pleasure to be invited in this party. We do hope that we could build a good relationship in the future."
"Raise your head, Lord Conrart Weller. I'm honoured to treat you, the former Maou's son and the beautiful ladies in this event. I have a great hope that we can become a part of your alliance, Lord Weller."
Conrart did as he was told to, straightening his back to face the King. The young King seemed to be not older than the brunette's appearance. He was probably still in his late teen ages or early twenties. His outfit reminded Conrart of the Great One's red cape, minus the fur. He wore a golden crown with a blue stone in the middle, and his attitude was quite perky. Beside the King, stood his advisor; a middle-aged man with white hair, thick glasses and a book in his hand.
Conrart smiled, then responded quite firmly. "We would love to discuss our possible relations in the near future, Your Majesty. For this moment, I will have to excuse myself to enjoy this party Your Majesty has held for us."
"Do enjoy this night, Lord Weller."
And so, Conrart smoothly bowed before walking back towards where he left Yuuri. He could quickly find Wolfram's outstanding beauty, still fighting inaudibly with a man. He also could see Murata, who was dancing with another man with a funny face - probably hiding his disgust. But Conrart couldn't find Yuuri anywhere.
"Lady Wolfrin! Where's Lady Yuuriya?"
Wolfram snapped his face to his running older brother, his face paled as he noticed that Yuuri wasn't behind him anymore. "What? Where's that wimp!" he unconsciously exclaimed with his male voice, making his admirer to jolt in surprise and run away.
"Didn't I tell you to take care of her?" Conrart half-shouted, his eyes busy observing throughout the room, hoping to find his godson.
"I'm sorry, I...!" Wolfram bit his lip, quickly glancing around. He knew he was at fault again.
"Let's spread out... We must find him quickly, His Maje- Lady Yuuriya is sick!" Conrart desperately suggested, clenching his fists as the result of his worries.
"Sick?" Wolfram parroted in shock.
"She tries to hide it but she's indeed sick. She was sick even when she was still Shin Makoku."
Wolfram froze. He didn't notice that. He remembered when he was spending his time staring at the night waves, he often saw Yuuri wondering around the ship, holding a wet handkerchief in his hand. But he never thought the Yuuri was sick… No, he should have known! It was clearly seen that Yuuri's face was redder and he often hugged his arms to get rid the cold. Why didn't he realize it?
"I'm going to search for him outside, maybe Yuuri-"
"May I have a dance with you, Miss?" another thick glasses man came and stretch out his hand to Wolfram, distracting the fire demon's thinking.
"I don't have time to play around with you!" the bishounen exclaimed, stomping his feet forward.
"Wow, you have such a sexy voice…," the man blinked his eyes twice, before quickly correcting his line. "I apologize, I accidentally heard your conversations. Perhaps you are looking for your beautiful companion?"
"You know her?" Wolfram enquired, a little hope was formed within his heart.
"Yes, but perhaps you could give me a kiss before I tell you, young lady?"
"What!" the noble demon widened his eyes, feeling blood started to rush over his head. His hand searched for his sword's hilt, but failed. He didn't have it right now, since he was wearing a dress. He cursed that man for playing with his pride.
"Wolfram, let's just spread out," Conrart grabbed his brother's shoulder, clearly upset to hear the man's offer. It was common to ask for a kiss in a match-making party, but he would never allow anyone to touch his baby brother for certain.
The young demon bit his lower lip, battling hard to calm his enraged emotions. Moments later, he shoved Conrart's hand off, and replied.
"We certainly do not want to make the sick Yuuriya waiting for our help longer, do we? If this person wants my lips, then shall be it."
Widening his eyes, Conrart witnessed everything just like a slow motion. Wolfram stepped forward to that thick glasses man, grabbing his collar gratingly, then pressed his mouth against his own. It was supposedly fast, not longer than a second, but the brunette still felt that it was much longer…
"Now…," breaking the kiss, Wolfram moved his lips to the flabbergasted man's ear, hissing dangerously with a cold tone of voice.
"Speak the truth before I burn you to death."
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(To Be Continued)
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