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Bloom	By : chayron Category: +G to L > Kyou Kara Maou Views: 9093 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou! It belongs to its respective owners. This fan fiction is not a commercial project, and I'm not making any money from writing it.

Chapter List
- 1-Bloom
- 2-Part 2
- 3-Part 3
- 4-Part 4
- 5-Part 5
- 6-Part 6
- 7-Part 7
- 8-Part 8
- 9-Part 9
- 10-Part 10
- 11-Part 11
- 12-Part 12
- 13-Part 13
- 14-Part 14
- 15-Part 15
- 16-Part 16
- 17-Part 17
- 18-Part 18
- 19-Part 19
- 20-Part 20
- 21-Part 21
- 22-Part 22
- 23-Part 23
- 24-Part 24
- 25-Part 25
- 26-Part 26
- 27-Part 27
- 28-Part 28
- 29-Part 29
- 30-Part 30
- 31-Part 31
- 32-Part 32
- 33-Part 33
- 34-Part 34
- 35-Part 35
- 36-Part 36
- 37-Part 37
- 38-Part 38
- 39-Part 39
- 40-Part 40
- 41-Part 41
- 42-Part 42
- 43-Part 43
- 44-Part 44
- 45-Part 45
- 46-Part 46
- 47-Part 47
- 48-Part 48
- 49-Part 49
- 50-Part 50
- 51-Part 51
- 52-Part 52
- 53-Part 53
- 54-Part 54
- 55-Part 55
- 56-Part 56
- 57-Part 57
- 58-Part 58
- 59-Part 59
- 60-Part 60
- 61-Part 61
- 62-Part 62
- 63-Part 63
- 64-Part 64
- 65-Part 65
- 21
- 22
- 23
Disclaimer: I don’t own Kyou Kara Maou! – It belongs to its respective owners. This fan fiction is not a commercial project, and I’m not making any money from writing it.
Warnings: yaoi (male x male), violence, swearing, angst, drama. Wolfram-centric, out of character, original character.
Summary: With Yuuri’s upcoming birthday, Wolfram makes his decision. Where will it lead him and what is to become of them? Should eventually be Yuuri x Wolfram.
A/N 1: Yuuri – 18 years old. Wolfram – 20. Eldara – 31. Halea – 20. Athara – 18.
A/N 2: Greta doesn’t exist.
A/N 3: European/American/Japanese standards all at once depending on the plot requirements.
A/N 4: A tendency to ignore the anime/manga and supplement the story with my own imagined facts.
A/N 5: Season III is not taken into consideration, except for the fact that Wolfram’s uncle exists.
A/N 6: The umlaut in Gunter’s name is a bother.
A/N 7: It’s probably about time to share beautiful fanart made for Bloom by my friend White_Youkai: http://chayron.livejournal.com/pics/catalog/525
Bloom
by chayron (lttomb@yahoo.com), beta-read by Tia Integra
Part 22
People flowed into the castle for tomorrow’s banquet in throngs. Except catching a glimpse of Eldara here and there, or occasionally recognizing his voice in one of the corridors, Wolfram hadn’t seen him since breakfast. But this time, with his mother and Gunter to keep him company, Wolfram didn’t feel bored. As he showed them around, they told him stories of what transpired at home and shared some of his own since he had left. Although Yuuri had been mentioned a few times sketchily, Wolfram was grateful to them for keeping the King of Shin Makoku off the conversations for the most part.
Gunter eagerly took notes and drew rough sketches of the interior. He intended to share them with Gwendal and maybe adopt some of the designs and inventions in Blood Pledge Castle. Gunter had attracted a few guards’ attention but, after having consulted their captain, they let it go.
It appeared that this wasn’t the first time that Cecilie visited the castle. Her last visit was ten years ago but she still remembered most of the layout. She also said that the furnishing hadn’t changed much, but maybe now there were fewer colors.
“Eldara was absent from home at the time,” she said. “But Halea was such a darling! She was only ten years old back then but was such a lovely child!”
Wolfram rolled his eyes; she was still trying to tease him. “I know that you never believed the rumor about me and her, and just played along with Eldara to pressure von Sarda,” he said reproachfully. “You two make a great team. The poor thing never knew what hit him.”
Gunter’s pen stopped moving, and Cecilie gave Wolfram a probing look. “Was it the duke who told you?”
“No, Mother. I have eyes. And ears, for that matter.”
Cecilie and Gunter exchanged a look before the lavender-haired man continued to sketch in his notebook. Cecilie was about to ask something but was distracted by a racket in the doorway further along the corridor.
“And they are at it again…” Wolfram muttered at the sight of Yozak and Karela arguing. Yozak was pointing somewhere at the ceiling while the other captain’s finger was pointing towards the corridor. Since there were guests around, their voices were lowered, which hardly improved the situation, for now, the two were hissing and spitting at each other like cats.
“They are quite passionate about their work, aren’t they?” Cecilie said after a few moments of observation.
“I think they are more passionate about each other than their work,” Wolfram said, proceeding into the next room. “I remember Gwendal was about to implement a central heating system when I was going to leave for the army. How is that going?”
“It was a good idea to send you to the army,” Cecilie said after a short pause.
“Huh? Well, of course it was,” Wolfram agreed. “Nobody sent me, though. I went off on my own.”
“He finally has the project schemes but decided to wait till spring,” Gunter said. “Some chambers require serious overhaul and it’s best to leave it for warm season.”
Wolfram nodded. “Well, of course. Who made the drawings?”
“He hired the same man who designed the temple for the Goddess of Peace two years ago. What’s his name?” Gunter gave Cecilie a questioning look. “Wilhelm Entram?”
The former queen nodded. “Yes, I believe so. Quite expensive, too.”
“We were told that you will be able to travel home in a month’s time. Maybe earlier,” Gunter said. “So you will be able to watch it all transpire.”
“Probably,” Wolfram agreed. “If I am back from Lesa; I still need four months of service.”
“You’re still planning on going away?” Cecilie asked, incredulous.
“Well, not right away. I will probably visit home for a few weeks and then head back for the fort.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Gunter said. “There’s no need to stall, after all.”
Wolfram nodded. “Exactly. And that’s the training hall,” he said, pointing. “It’s used by anyone who wishes to use it. We can have a go if you get bored during your stay.”
Cecilie walked forward to open the door. Six men sparred inside, four of which wore the brown color of Raizgad and the other two, the blue of the land of von Bielefeld. Cecilie was impressed by the camaraderie she noticed among the duke’s men and the soldiers from Shin Makoku – there was no tension at all. It indicated a good relationship between their commanders.
Having satisfied her curiosity, Cecilie closed the door. “And you?” she asked Wolfram. “Do you get bored here?”
“Not really. Maybe sometimes, when…when Eldara is busy,” Wolfram finished laughing. “I don’t think one can get bored with him. He can be pretty annoying but it’s fun. We talk, go riding, just recently started sparring, too.”
From the corner of his eyes, Gunter watched the young man. Gunter, just like the rest of household in Blood Pledge Castle, had believed that the notorious Duke of Raizgad was in one way or another, abusing Wolfram. From the short summaries of various events he had received from Yozak and other men, however, he was under impression that it was mostly Wolfram who was abusing the duke and his hospitality. Also, Fajdal had told him that Wolfram seemed to express a certain interest towards the duke. He didn’t explain anything further but Gunter didn’t like the sound of this situation at all. He wanted the young man safe and back home or, at least, at Lesa’s fort.
“He seems to be quite fond of you as well,” Cecilie said innocently.
“Well, I did save his sister,” Wolfram pointed out.
“True,” she agreed. “And what about his brother, Athara? Do you get along?”
“Since we don’t have many things in common, we try to stay away from each other so as not to bore each other to death.”
Gunter sighed softly. He would have preferred Wolfram to show interest in the youngest member of von Ashira family than the oldest. According to the rumors, Athara von Ashira was much easier to deal with. Wolfram, though, was obviously not the least bit interested in him.
“Can you use your fire element without restrictions?” Cecilie asked.
“More or less. I still get a bit dizzy afterwards, but it’s improving every day. Eldara and I have made plans for next week to go out of town and work out a bit with our elements in the fields. I will see how it goes then.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea?” Cecilie asked while Gunter looked very disquieted but just stayed silent.

“A good idea for what?”
Cecilie and Gunter started at the voice behind them. They turned around to see the duke offer them a charming smile as he closed the door to his study.
“I’m sorry for cutting in so abruptly. It seems I have startled you. I just wanted to invite you to join me and my other guests for lunch.”
“I just mentioned the element training we intend to have next week,” Wolfram explained. “I think they are short of thinking that you will try to kill me.”
For a moment, Cecilie and Gunter looked scandalized. Eldara averted his eyes from them to look at Wolfram. “To kill you? No, really, I wouldn’t.” He grinned. “It would be out of character for me to kill you before I make some tangible use of you.”
Wolfram grinned in answer. “Yes, dead, I am worthless.”
Eldara turned to Cecilie and Gunter. “You’ll have to forgive me for being such a bad host but I’m afraid that, at the rate the guests are flowing in, I can’t show you around or keep you company. I hope Wolfram has been of utmost help.”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about it, dear,” Cecilie said. “He’s already shown us around.”
“Every nook and cranny,” Wolfram confirmed. “Except your precious vault.”
Eldara was not certain how to react to this. He found himself smiling while, at the same time, felt somewhat annoyed. He did know that Cecilie and von Christ must know of its existence from the letters but he still wished Wolfram wouldn’t talk about it.
“You won’t let it go, will you?” he said.
“Never,” Wolfram said, smiling in return, but the smile never reaching his eyes. He said nothing else, though, and the four of them continued down the corridor to the dining room.
It was just as Fajdal had said, Gunter decided. It was probably unconscious but Wolfram sought the older man’s attention. He wondered if Wolfram was aware that what he was doing was very close to flirting. The duke, of course, must be aware of that.
“I couldn’t help noticing the curious device in Sir’s hands,” Eldara told Gunter as the walked. “May I take a look at it?” he asked, extending his hand.
“But of course, Your Grace,” Gunter said, holding out the ballpoint pen. He cursed himself mentally; he should have hidden it better. Eldara held the pen gingerly, and, from the way his eyes were taking in every detail, it was obvious that tomorrow, or even this very day, the instructions would be given to craft a copy.
“It’s not usual ink inside, is it? What do you use to make it thicker?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know, Your Grace,” Gunter said. “It’s His Majesty’s invention, so it would be best to ask him directly.” He hoped Wolfram would not correct him. He also hoped, hoped very much, that, in his blind fascination with the duke, Wolfram would not carelessly blurt out things about the Earth. That would be disastrous.
“Ah, he must have gotten the idea on one of his sporadic journeys he sometimes disappears on,” Eldara said, giving the lavender-haired man an amused look. He returned the pen. “Thank you, Sir.”
When they reached the dining room, most of the guests were already there, and Eldara, after showing Cecilie and Gunter to their seats, turned his attention to them. He greeted everyone one more time and then invited the guests to start eating and enjoying themselves.
White and red wine was poured into glasses. Wolfram stood up to offer a toast in gratitude to the generous host and the present guests. Cheers and greeting were exchanged one more time and the glasses were emptied. Wolfram half-expected his wine to be some kind of juice or just a colored drink, but it was real wine. Waiting for the servants to fill his and other people’s plates, the blond enjoyed his rare drink. Further into the lunch, his glass was refilled but this time it actually was stewed fruit. It was diluted enough to make it as though it was wine, but it still tasted well. Wolfram took note that Eldara’s glass was being filled from the same bottle as his. Wolfram felt both annoyed and grateful for the solidarity.
Gunter was like fish in water. He continuously discussed something with neighbors to his left and his right. Yesterday, Eldara had shown them the list of guests and, after a few questions, Gunter had expressed a wish to be seated next to certain people, if possible. He was all business now. Eldara had also subtly mentioned a few names Wolfram might be interested in, but the blond left it all to his mother. He had obviously made a miscalculation since the only thing she currently seemed to be interested in was hooking up with someone. Her male neighbor had forgotten his wife completely and had eyes only for the former Demon Queen. Wolfram felt a jealousy storm was coming.
Smoked meats, fish, nuts, and dried fruits typical of Shin Makoku cuisine, all of which had been brought by Gunter and Cecilie, were on the table as well. The guests were curious to taste the unusual food, and, across the table Wolfram could see Neryan von Sedera, the Duke of Arklend and the rumored lover of Eldara, sharing one of the fruits with his wife. The two of them looked like real lovebirds. Wolfram wondered whose bed von Sedera was going to warm tonight. Not that he particularly cared. It was probably curiosity about how low a man could stoop.
Halea and Fredrick sat next to each other; it roused a bout of reasonable gossip of their current relationship. Wolfram’s ears already caught a few inquiries concerning that. He knew he was a target for speculations as well, and, it was very likely that there were quite a few who wanted to get to know him better. It wasn’t easy, though – he sat between Eldara and his interpreter. Yet, there had been a few attempts to communicate with him, all of which Wolfram answered with polite smiles and nods but never went deeper by warmly but insistently suggesting they tried his home cuisine.
Lunch lasted an hour and a half. Dinner went in almost the exact manner, lasting three hours. Wolfram went to sleep exhausted to the point he forgot to again wonder whose bed von Sedera intended to share.
---
The day of the celebration happened to be stormy. It was the first winter storm and some gests weren’t prepared for it. Once they arrived, they stumbled into the castle with their teeth chattering and went in search of a fireplace. It took time for them to warm up and join the rest of the guests in their comfortable lounging.
Orinth the Fifth’s and his suite’s arrival caused an excited uproar. He looked a little different than Wolfram had imagined – a little younger and more cheerful. He had come with his wife, Queen Teromia, and his two sons, who, in turn, had brought their own wives and children. From then on, Eldara disappeared in the royal hubbub.
It was past midday and Wolfram was doing his share in entertaining guests. It was still about an hour until the door to the great hall would be opened. He was drinking the yellowish stewed fruit drink hoping for someone to rescue him. A young girl, who looked about eighteen, was trying to attract his attention. They found a common topic about horses and had been talking for about fifteen minutes. Wolfram found her pretty and smart but she continued to subtly flirt, so he grew restless.
“Ah, here you are,” Eldara said in a voice so happy, it was as if he had found a best friend he had lost years ago. “Excuse me, Lady, Your Highness. May I have a moment of your time?”
Wolfram nodded. “Yes, of course, Your Grace.” He offered thousands of his deepest apologies to the girl and followed Eldara to the other end of the corridor.
“Have some decency and stop looking so relieved,” the duke said laughing softly. “By the way, I expect the same courtesy.”
“It’s hard to differentiate between when you’re being tortured and when you are indeed enjoying yourself,” Wolfram noted.
“I’ll just grab the nearest knife and hold it to my throat. That should help you.”
“That would also help the rest of the guests.”
“Indeed. Well, I have to leave you now,” Eldara said. “Try not to get caught again. By the way, where’s your interpreter?”
“I let him wander. I figured that this way, I’d have less chance in being talked to.”
“You’re being rude.”
“There’s still all the time in the world for conversations and flirting.”
“That’s so, but…” Eldara trailed off after spotting someone in the milling crowd. “Have you met the Baron of Mercia? The most loyal subject of mine,” he said, leading Wolfram forward. “He’s a few years older than you. His parents were met by an unfortunate accident several years ago and he’s the only son. He’s a very interesting young man, very open-minded about Demons at that. I think you’ll be able to find a few things in common.”
“Do I need to call for my interpreter?”
“No, he speaks fluently. You can hardly feel the accent.”
Introductions were made and, in no time, Wolfram found himself in the company of a handsome, twenty-something man called Reikia von Estram. After the awkward beginning, they quickly found a few common interests, just as the duke had promised. Both of them were keen on horses and swords. Out of curiosity, they exchanged their swords then proceeded to discuss blade variations from country to country. Wolfram didn’t even feel how one o’clock came.
With a rising tide of guests, he and his newly found friend were swept into the prepared hall. Eldara fished Wolfram out quickly and, for about an hour, the two of them stood at the end of the lavish hall accepting good wishes and gifts.
For his extraordinary service to the kingdom, Orinth the Fifth gifted Eldara more land. The generous gift was met with hushed silence followed by applause. Wolfram received a pretty brooch with diamonds. Then the rest of the gifts followed. The duke received noticeably more luxurious gifts but that was to be expected: he was their landlord while Wolfram was only his prominent guest. By the end of the congratulations, Wolfram had twenty brooches, ten pairs of cufflinks, three beautifully ornamented money sacks, two pendants, and some other jewelry. His mother had gifted him a bottle of cologne made from the flowers she grew, while Gunter’s present was a pair of good sturdy riding boots, which, Wolfram regretfully deemed, were probably a size too small by now. Gwendal’s knitted vest was beautiful but hardly anyone discerned that the general had made it himself.
The official part was finally over and everyone was invited to sit at the table. After a few more toasts and greetings, everyone dug in. Wolfram wondered what Yuuri’s gift was, since his mother told him it was best to be given in privacy. He and Eldara hadn’t exchanged theirs yet either. That was something he was curiously looking forward to.
When everyone’s plates started clearing up, Eldara stood up to announce his sister and von Sarda’s engagement. The couple stood up too, and a bout of greetings and well-wishes echoed in the hall again. Eldara offered a hearty toast and glasses started clinking.
Soon the musicians started playing and people rose from the table in groups either to dance or to converse. In no time Wolfram found himself to be sought out by his previous companion, Reikia von Estram. That gave Wolfram a perfect excuse to avoid people he didn’t want to talk to.
At first glance, due to his almost regal posture and the offhand smile, the baron had struck Wolfram as an arrogant snob, and he thought that Eldara must be crazy to think they could get along. The very first sentence from von Estram’s mouth, however, proved him to be wrong. He spoke with a certain mellowness and was overall a very pleasant man. They quickly started calling each other by only their first names.
Wolfram and the baron returned to the subjects they were most passionate about: horses and swords. At some point, von Estram expressed a wish to try a dish or two from Shin Makoku. He approved of the smoked meats and seasoning but Wolfram had to laugh at how the other man’s face distorted after trying a few dried fruits.
“Don’t force yourself,” Wolfram said, still laughing. “I still can’t get used to the food you eat here.”
“Indeed,” Reikia muttered, swallowing with difficulty. “That’s a peculiar taste.” His eyes flitted over the crowd until they found Eldara. The duke was talking to Orinth the Fifth. It looked as if he was having a good time. But then, Eldara couldn’t afford to look any different.
Wolfram followed his gaze. “It’s first time I’m seeing His Majesty. I admit I expected him to be more…hmm…” he trailed off.
“He’s come here to have fun,” Reikia explained. “You should see him when he’s all business.” He averted his eyes back to Wolfram. The blond looked stunning, he rarely met men of such exceptional beauty. Wolfram seemed to be aware of his looks, though. The attire he had chosen complimented his build and face: a dark blue jacket and trousers. The brooch with a dark green emerald on his white cravat perfectly accentuated the color of his eyes. Wolfram was far from boring, and Reikia found himself complimenting von Ashira’s taste.
“You will have to forgive me for the cufflinks,” Reikia said. “A few more birthdays and you will be able to swim in them.”
“Wha-? Oh. Don’t worry about it. That’s to be expected – it’s the most neutral gift when one doesn’t know the person. Besides, gold is always fashionable.”
“True,” Reikia agreed. He had been watching the blond’s glass for quite some time now and finally decided to ask: “I’m not certain I should ask, but what the hell are you drinking? It smells like peaches.”
Wolfram blushed fiercely. He felt uncomfortable and wasn’t certain he should talk about it at all. “It is peaches, I think,” he said. “I have a bit of a problem with wine.”
“Oh. It’s probably the same problem I used to have with liqueur.”
“Oh.”
“The most important thing about it is not to touch it even if you think that you can handle it.”
“Yes, I have noticed,” Wolfram said sulkily.
“How about a spar tomorrow?” Reikia suggested in hopes of dissipating the suddenly dismal mood. He found himself fidgeting under the sharp emerald stare. Wolfram was a full-blooded Demon, which gave the blond enough grounds to believe that their strength was uneven no matter how good he was at swordfight.
“Are you sure?”
“If you’re implying that you’ll have me on my ass within the first two seconds, I will prove you wrong,” Reikia said, grinning.
Wolfram laughed. “Very well. Tomorrow it is, then.”
“And tonight we could do something else,” Reikia said, taking Wolfram’s glass from his hand, his fingers sliding over the blond’s suggestively.
Wolfram stared at him. There had been subtle hints earlier but now he was convinced completely. He suddenly didn’t know what to do. Eldara set him up. It was no coincidence. The duke probably thought that he was doing him a favor. It would have been a favor if he were more experienced. It was not as if he was uninterested - he found the other man attractive but the situation made him reluctant and uncertain. It must have been apparent on his face since the baron quickly drew his hand back.
“I’m sorry, I must have misinterpreted something.”
Wolfram shook his head offering him a weak smile. “No, not really. But…” Reikia was giving him a curious look, and Wolfram couldn’t help blushing. “Err… I’m not really used to this,” he muttered finally, the awkward flush on his cheeks not receding even a bit.
“No, you aren’t,” the baron agreed softly, not lowering his eyes from Wolfram. He wondered why this rare gem was still not claimed by anyone. He would have expected Eldara, of all people, to have sunk his claws into the adorable blond by this time. But then, again no, the duke wasn’t all that attracted to naïve innocence.
Von Estram couldn’t resist reaching out for the blond’s glass again. Wolfram’s eyes widened slightly when their fingers brushed against each other once again. Reikia ran his fingers up the blond’s arm then his hand was caught in an iron grip.
“Mind your hands,” Wolfram warned softly.
The baron couldn’t help but chuckle at the force behind the silent words. “Of course. I’m sorry.” So this was why the blond was untouched. Wolfram let go of his wrist and he removed his hand. “Should we cancel tomorrow’s spar?” he asked.
Wolfram gave him a sharp look. “There’s no need. Just keep your hands to yourself and you will be fine.”
The baron nodded with a good-natured smile. “Of course. Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Wolfram. Find me, when you change your mind,” he said, meaning it.
And so, feeling like a failure, Wolfram was left alone. He knew he had probably overreacted but he didn’t like the familiarity with which the man he barely knew had suddenly started treating him. He didn’t think he would ever get used to it, and wasn’t certain he needed to.
He caught the sight of von Estram a few more times, one of those times while he had been talking to Eldara. During their conversation, Eldara’s eyes set on him a few times. They held no real expression, and Wolfram didn’t know what the duke thought of his misadventure with the baron. He wondered what exactly von Estram had told the duke.
Eldara found Wolfram some time later. “It’s a pity it didn’t work out with Reikia,” he said, offering Wolfram a glass of wine.
Wolfram glanced at the glass, decided that this was the duke’s way of apologizing for setting Reikia upon him, and refused. “Did he tell you that I’m a frigid bastard?” he asked bitterly.
“No, Wolfram, he said nothing of the sort. In fact, he likes you a lot.”
“Are you two fu-?” Wolfram blushed not finishing. “Are you two havi-?”
“No, Wolfram, we aren’t sleeping together,” Eldara denied. “I have known him since he was seventeen and fell for my brother. It’s just bad luck that Athara’s preferences are very clear.”
“Oh,” Wolfram muttered. “I didn’t know.”
“Well, of course, you didn’t.”
“You still regret it didn’t work out between them.”
“He would have been a welcome influence on Athara,” Eldara agreed. “Nothing can be done about it, though.” He sighed. “I’m sorry if I was too forward.”
“I don’t think you are sorry at all,” Wolfram said. “And you don’t need to be since I did like him. It’s just that he’s a bit too quick with his hands.”
“Wolfram,” the duke said reproachfully, “all he did was touch your fingers.”
“Well, maybe I don’t like my fingers touched.”
Eldara chuckled. “Is that it? Would you have preferred if he had touched you somewhere else?”
“Stop laughing, you pervert.”
Tbc
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Bloom