FIC: 1 Up - Chapter 5: I Bow Out
Title: 1 Up - Chapter 5: I Bow Out
Author: batty_gal a.k.a Tetra26
Rating: T
Fandom: Kyou Kara Maou
Pairing: Wolfram and Saralegui
Word Count: 1862
Fic Type: Chaptered
Fic Summary: Wolfram and Saralegui play games with each other, with unexpected results and fallout. Shinou tactics, chemical provocation, passive-aggressiveness, manipulation and other dirty tricks are used to bring each other down. Wolfram and Saralegui.
Chapter Summary: Someone concedes defeat in the ongoing battle between Wolfram and Saralegui?
All Chapters (Fic is Completed): 1 Up: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
1 Up - Chapter 5: I Bow Out
“So, Lord von Bielefeld, are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Saralegui asked.
Wolfram, who was holding an animated conversation with the newcomer, paused in his conversation.
“Oh my, what bad manners of me! This is Kelby Loring. Kelby, this is King Saralegui of Small Shimaron,” he said.
“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty,” Kelby said politely, and bowed.
“Likewise,” Saralegui said.
“Kelby, would you like to dance?” Wolfram asked suddenly.
Saralegui noticed that he seemed nervous, and wondered if he was intimidated by his presence.
“Sure,” Kelby replied, and took Wolfram by the hand.
“Save a dance for me, Kelby Loring,” the King said, his voice low and seductive.
“Of course,” Kelby said, and grinned.
Saralegui watched as the two started to dance, his mind formulating just what he wanted to say next.
As Wolfram started to dance with the newcomer, everyone started to whisper about how they made a handsome-looking couple. Several people inquired about the new man, and though people thought he was familiar, no one could actually place him.
Yuuri heard this chatter, and looked over to where Wolfram was dancing with his new partner. He stared at the man, and thought that he seemed vaguely familiar - but try as he might, he couldn't figure it out. He watched them, continuing to rack his brain for the answer.
Conrart, who was busy dancing playfully with Greta, only caught a momentary glimpse of the man from behind - and quickly dismissed him as some noble he was unfamiliar with. Gwendal, however, gritted his teeth as he glared at the familiar-looking man, who was holding his brother entirely too close for his comfort.
He tossed back his drink, and scowled at every person he caught undressing his little brother with their eyes. He mentally vowed to hunt down and make miserable the one who dared to tailor Wolfram's pants so tight that nothing was left to the imagination.
Saralegui, who had carefully constructed what he was going to say to the Loring man, walked over to where the two were dancing.
“May I cut in?” he asked, politely.
Once again, he waited for a reaction from Wolfram, but he simply smiled.
“Most certainly! He did promise you, after all,” Wolfram said, and let go of his dance partner. “After you finish dancing with His Majesty, I would like to dance with you again, Kelby.”
“I would like that too, Wolfram,” Kelby said gently, and smiled down at Wolfram.
Saralegui wanted to gag at how Wolfram practically melted right there. So the Bielefeld brat really had a thing for this Loring fellow? Saralegui would make sure any potential relationship between the two ended before it started.
Kelby took Saralegui's hand, and they started to dance. Saralegui look up into his pleasant face, and put his plan into gear.
“You seem familiar to me, you know that?” he started, making small talk in order to get Kelby comfortable with him.
“I'm often at these celebrations, but I usually stand in the background,” Kelby said.
“So, how did you meet Lord von Bielefeld?” Saralegui asked.
“I was visiting a friend of mine in town, and I ran into him during an event there. I had seen him plenty of times before, but that was the first time we had ever struck up a conversation.”
“I see... and when was this?”
“About two months ago.”
“Are you romantically involved with Lord von Bielefeld?”
“No... well, not yet,” Kelby said, and Saralegui noticed his blush.
“So, you are interested in him?”
“Ye.. yes.”
“Might I ask, what drew you to him?”
“Well... he's kind. Considerate. Fun. Beautiful. An all around joy to be with.”
Saralegui threw back his head and laughed heartily at the absolutely wrong description of the Bielefeld brat.
“What's so funny?”
“Nothing, just... are you aware that Lord von Bielefeld is known for his temper? That he is one of the most selfish, annoying, and bratty men I've ever met?”
Kelby frowned. “I've never seen that side of him. He's never been that way with me.”
“I see. So Lord von Bielefeld has 'changed' after all,” Saralegui said, totally unconvinced.
“If he were that way before, perhaps he has.”
Saralegui finally realized the reason why Wolfram had been so charming earlier. Wolfram had apparently decided to put on a front in order to reel in Kelby, per his recommendation in one of the letters he sent. Saralegui was amused at how naive the Loring fellow seemed. He saw that pointing out the Bielefeld brat's flaws wouldn't work with this man, and decided to resort to something a little more dirty.
“You must be a very tolerant man,” Saralegui said, making sure his voice held a touch of admiration in it.
“Why do you say that?”
“Well... I can't think of too many men who would want to date someone who had been the Maou's bedmate for several years.”
Kelby looked shocked. “Bed... mate?”
Saralegui laughed, lightly. “What, you didn't know? Lord von Bielefeld shared a bed with the Maou for over three years.”
“I was aware he was engaged to him... but shared a bed?”
“Yes.”
“I see...”
Saralegui was most excited at how bothered the other man looked by the thought. He decided to rub it in a little more. “Though, that relationship was before you. What does it matter that Lord von Bielefeld was once the Maou's nighttime playmate? At least you know he's experienced... though I personally wouldn't want to be the one who came after the Maou.”
Saralegui gleefully noted that Kelby went pale, but winced when he gripped him a little harder than normal. He watched as Kelby tried to regain his composure.
“I'm sorry. I suddenly don't feel so well. Please, excuse me,” Kelby said as he released him, and turned away.
Saralegui followed as he practically sprinted toward the closest door and out into the deserted hall, but was halted by Wolfram.
“Kelby, where are you going? I thought I'd get another dance out of you,” Wolfram said, and smiled gently.
“I'm sorry, but I have to go!” Kelby said, and practically shrank away from Wolfram.
“Kelby, what's wrong?” Wolfram asked, his face showing concern. He reached out for him.
“Don't! Just... don't. Don't touch me,” he said, quietly.
“What is it? What's wrong?”
“Wolfram, I think it's best that we not have anything to do with each other anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because, you aren't the type of man I should align myself with. Good night.”
Saralegui, who had listened in on the entire exchange, was filled with delight by Wolfram's crestfallen face as the Loring fellow brushed past him. He walked up to Wolfram, and smirked at him.
“Well... that didn't go too well, did it?” he said, not bothering to mask the amusement in his voice.
Wolfram looked long and hard at Saralegui. “Did you do something to him?” he asked, quietly.
Saralegui was glad that he finally dropped the happy facade that he had put on all night long. He wanted to see if he could enrage the Bielefeld brat, this time without the pheromones.
“I didn't do anything to him, though I did say a few things,” he said, slyly.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing much. I just mentioned that I personally wouldn't want to be the one to date you after you've been the Maou's lover for the past three years.”
“Lover? The Maou and I never engaged in those sorts of relations.”
“Whoops! I guess I gave that Loring fellow all sorts of wrong ideas, then! Perhaps you should run after him and try to convince him that you are fresher than he thinks.”
Saralegui waited to see if the fireworks would come. He saw how Wolfram clenched his fists and closed his eyes, probably willing himself not to attack. He stayed that way for a few moments.
Finally, Wolfram's shoulders slumped. “You win,” he mumbled.
Saralegui blinked. “I'm sorry, what was that?”
“I said you win. I bow out. You. Win.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. You. Win. I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry that I ever engaged you into this game in the first place. You. Win.”
Saralegui couldn't believe his ears. Was the Bielefeld brat actually conceding defeat?
“It was stupid of me to think that I could ever win against you. I should have never let my jealousy make me start this game with you. Now, I have nothing. No engagement. My reputation's shot. And now, just when I thought that I could finally have happiness and love with someone who actually liked me...”
Wolfram didn't finish, he simply closed his eyes and leaned against the closest wall in defeat.
Saralegui, who was at a loss for words, simply stared at the broken man in front of him.
After a few more moments of staring, he remembered just who he was, and cleared his throat.
“Well... I'm glad you recognize who's the superior one here,” he said, his voice once again taunting.
“Yeah.”
“And I take it that you will no longer bother me with your sad attempts at being petty again, will you?”
“No.”
“Very well, I suppose I no longer have any need to go out of my way and destroy you. Good night, Lord von Bielefeld.”
“Good night, Your Majesty.”
King Saralegui turned away from the Bielefeld brat, but not before noticing the unshed tears in his sad eyes.
He made his way back into the ballroom, and pretended that his last glance at Wolfram's face didn't bother him as much as it did.
Wolfram, not bothering to go back into the ballroom, went to his bedroom.
He entered it, and was unsurprised to see it was already occupied by the man that had run off “appalled” at Saralegui's words, earlier.
“So, how did I do, Wolfram?” the man known to Saralegui as Kelby Loring said.
Wolfram smiled at the man. “You were excellent, as always. Thanks for your help.”
“Any time, kid. I simply can't wait to see what you do next to that rotten king. I damn near decked him on the dance floor for his disgusting remarks. I'm curious though, what was the purpose of tonight's show?”
“I want him to let his guard down before swooping in with my endgame plan. So, I let him 'win' a round and proclaimed that I gave up.”
“I see. Excellent strategy!”
“Now, I need you to do another thing for me.”
“What's that?”
“Make sure you help me convince Gwendal and the others that things are settled enough between me and King Saralegui to let me go on that peacekeeping visit at his castle three months from now.”
“Done,” Yozak said.
Author's note: This is the revised edition of this chapter. Chapter title is taken from a Whitney Houston song with oddly fitting lyrics. Next chapter: Gwendal gets some news that bothers him.
Author: batty_gal a.k.a Tetra26
Rating: T
Fandom: Kyou Kara Maou
Pairing: Wolfram and Saralegui
Word Count: 1862
Fic Type: Chaptered
Fic Summary: Wolfram and Saralegui play games with each other, with unexpected results and fallout. Shinou tactics, chemical provocation, passive-aggressiveness, manipulation and other dirty tricks are used to bring each other down. Wolfram and Saralegui.
Chapter Summary: Someone concedes defeat in the ongoing battle between Wolfram and Saralegui?
All Chapters (Fic is Completed): 1 Up: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
1 Up - Chapter 5: I Bow Out
“So, Lord von Bielefeld, are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Saralegui asked.
Wolfram, who was holding an animated conversation with the newcomer, paused in his conversation.
“Oh my, what bad manners of me! This is Kelby Loring. Kelby, this is King Saralegui of Small Shimaron,” he said.
“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty,” Kelby said politely, and bowed.
“Likewise,” Saralegui said.
“Kelby, would you like to dance?” Wolfram asked suddenly.
Saralegui noticed that he seemed nervous, and wondered if he was intimidated by his presence.
“Sure,” Kelby replied, and took Wolfram by the hand.
“Save a dance for me, Kelby Loring,” the King said, his voice low and seductive.
“Of course,” Kelby said, and grinned.
Saralegui watched as the two started to dance, his mind formulating just what he wanted to say next.
As Wolfram started to dance with the newcomer, everyone started to whisper about how they made a handsome-looking couple. Several people inquired about the new man, and though people thought he was familiar, no one could actually place him.
Yuuri heard this chatter, and looked over to where Wolfram was dancing with his new partner. He stared at the man, and thought that he seemed vaguely familiar - but try as he might, he couldn't figure it out. He watched them, continuing to rack his brain for the answer.
Conrart, who was busy dancing playfully with Greta, only caught a momentary glimpse of the man from behind - and quickly dismissed him as some noble he was unfamiliar with. Gwendal, however, gritted his teeth as he glared at the familiar-looking man, who was holding his brother entirely too close for his comfort.
He tossed back his drink, and scowled at every person he caught undressing his little brother with their eyes. He mentally vowed to hunt down and make miserable the one who dared to tailor Wolfram's pants so tight that nothing was left to the imagination.
Saralegui, who had carefully constructed what he was going to say to the Loring man, walked over to where the two were dancing.
“May I cut in?” he asked, politely.
Once again, he waited for a reaction from Wolfram, but he simply smiled.
“Most certainly! He did promise you, after all,” Wolfram said, and let go of his dance partner. “After you finish dancing with His Majesty, I would like to dance with you again, Kelby.”
“I would like that too, Wolfram,” Kelby said gently, and smiled down at Wolfram.
Saralegui wanted to gag at how Wolfram practically melted right there. So the Bielefeld brat really had a thing for this Loring fellow? Saralegui would make sure any potential relationship between the two ended before it started.
Kelby took Saralegui's hand, and they started to dance. Saralegui look up into his pleasant face, and put his plan into gear.
“You seem familiar to me, you know that?” he started, making small talk in order to get Kelby comfortable with him.
“I'm often at these celebrations, but I usually stand in the background,” Kelby said.
“So, how did you meet Lord von Bielefeld?” Saralegui asked.
“I was visiting a friend of mine in town, and I ran into him during an event there. I had seen him plenty of times before, but that was the first time we had ever struck up a conversation.”
“I see... and when was this?”
“About two months ago.”
“Are you romantically involved with Lord von Bielefeld?”
“No... well, not yet,” Kelby said, and Saralegui noticed his blush.
“So, you are interested in him?”
“Ye.. yes.”
“Might I ask, what drew you to him?”
“Well... he's kind. Considerate. Fun. Beautiful. An all around joy to be with.”
Saralegui threw back his head and laughed heartily at the absolutely wrong description of the Bielefeld brat.
“What's so funny?”
“Nothing, just... are you aware that Lord von Bielefeld is known for his temper? That he is one of the most selfish, annoying, and bratty men I've ever met?”
Kelby frowned. “I've never seen that side of him. He's never been that way with me.”
“I see. So Lord von Bielefeld has 'changed' after all,” Saralegui said, totally unconvinced.
“If he were that way before, perhaps he has.”
Saralegui finally realized the reason why Wolfram had been so charming earlier. Wolfram had apparently decided to put on a front in order to reel in Kelby, per his recommendation in one of the letters he sent. Saralegui was amused at how naive the Loring fellow seemed. He saw that pointing out the Bielefeld brat's flaws wouldn't work with this man, and decided to resort to something a little more dirty.
“You must be a very tolerant man,” Saralegui said, making sure his voice held a touch of admiration in it.
“Why do you say that?”
“Well... I can't think of too many men who would want to date someone who had been the Maou's bedmate for several years.”
Kelby looked shocked. “Bed... mate?”
Saralegui laughed, lightly. “What, you didn't know? Lord von Bielefeld shared a bed with the Maou for over three years.”
“I was aware he was engaged to him... but shared a bed?”
“Yes.”
“I see...”
Saralegui was most excited at how bothered the other man looked by the thought. He decided to rub it in a little more. “Though, that relationship was before you. What does it matter that Lord von Bielefeld was once the Maou's nighttime playmate? At least you know he's experienced... though I personally wouldn't want to be the one who came after the Maou.”
Saralegui gleefully noted that Kelby went pale, but winced when he gripped him a little harder than normal. He watched as Kelby tried to regain his composure.
“I'm sorry. I suddenly don't feel so well. Please, excuse me,” Kelby said as he released him, and turned away.
Saralegui followed as he practically sprinted toward the closest door and out into the deserted hall, but was halted by Wolfram.
“Kelby, where are you going? I thought I'd get another dance out of you,” Wolfram said, and smiled gently.
“I'm sorry, but I have to go!” Kelby said, and practically shrank away from Wolfram.
“Kelby, what's wrong?” Wolfram asked, his face showing concern. He reached out for him.
“Don't! Just... don't. Don't touch me,” he said, quietly.
“What is it? What's wrong?”
“Wolfram, I think it's best that we not have anything to do with each other anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because, you aren't the type of man I should align myself with. Good night.”
Saralegui, who had listened in on the entire exchange, was filled with delight by Wolfram's crestfallen face as the Loring fellow brushed past him. He walked up to Wolfram, and smirked at him.
“Well... that didn't go too well, did it?” he said, not bothering to mask the amusement in his voice.
Wolfram looked long and hard at Saralegui. “Did you do something to him?” he asked, quietly.
Saralegui was glad that he finally dropped the happy facade that he had put on all night long. He wanted to see if he could enrage the Bielefeld brat, this time without the pheromones.
“I didn't do anything to him, though I did say a few things,” he said, slyly.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing much. I just mentioned that I personally wouldn't want to be the one to date you after you've been the Maou's lover for the past three years.”
“Lover? The Maou and I never engaged in those sorts of relations.”
“Whoops! I guess I gave that Loring fellow all sorts of wrong ideas, then! Perhaps you should run after him and try to convince him that you are fresher than he thinks.”
Saralegui waited to see if the fireworks would come. He saw how Wolfram clenched his fists and closed his eyes, probably willing himself not to attack. He stayed that way for a few moments.
Finally, Wolfram's shoulders slumped. “You win,” he mumbled.
Saralegui blinked. “I'm sorry, what was that?”
“I said you win. I bow out. You. Win.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. You. Win. I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry that I ever engaged you into this game in the first place. You. Win.”
Saralegui couldn't believe his ears. Was the Bielefeld brat actually conceding defeat?
“It was stupid of me to think that I could ever win against you. I should have never let my jealousy make me start this game with you. Now, I have nothing. No engagement. My reputation's shot. And now, just when I thought that I could finally have happiness and love with someone who actually liked me...”
Wolfram didn't finish, he simply closed his eyes and leaned against the closest wall in defeat.
Saralegui, who was at a loss for words, simply stared at the broken man in front of him.
After a few more moments of staring, he remembered just who he was, and cleared his throat.
“Well... I'm glad you recognize who's the superior one here,” he said, his voice once again taunting.
“Yeah.”
“And I take it that you will no longer bother me with your sad attempts at being petty again, will you?”
“No.”
“Very well, I suppose I no longer have any need to go out of my way and destroy you. Good night, Lord von Bielefeld.”
“Good night, Your Majesty.”
King Saralegui turned away from the Bielefeld brat, but not before noticing the unshed tears in his sad eyes.
He made his way back into the ballroom, and pretended that his last glance at Wolfram's face didn't bother him as much as it did.
Wolfram, not bothering to go back into the ballroom, went to his bedroom.
He entered it, and was unsurprised to see it was already occupied by the man that had run off “appalled” at Saralegui's words, earlier.
“So, how did I do, Wolfram?” the man known to Saralegui as Kelby Loring said.
Wolfram smiled at the man. “You were excellent, as always. Thanks for your help.”
“Any time, kid. I simply can't wait to see what you do next to that rotten king. I damn near decked him on the dance floor for his disgusting remarks. I'm curious though, what was the purpose of tonight's show?”
“I want him to let his guard down before swooping in with my endgame plan. So, I let him 'win' a round and proclaimed that I gave up.”
“I see. Excellent strategy!”
“Now, I need you to do another thing for me.”
“What's that?”
“Make sure you help me convince Gwendal and the others that things are settled enough between me and King Saralegui to let me go on that peacekeeping visit at his castle three months from now.”
“Done,” Yozak said.
Author's note: This is the revised edition of this chapter. Chapter title is taken from a Whitney Houston song with oddly fitting lyrics. Next chapter: Gwendal gets some news that bothers him.