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A Marriage of State	By : Niko Category: +G to L > Kyou Kara Maou Views: 2727 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Kyou Kara Maou or any rights to its story, characters or plot. I make no money from this.

Chapter List
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It seemed like spring would never come. Despite the weather slowly turning warmer in Shin Makoku, it was still stubbornly winter for Japan. It made picking out the perfect present for Greta difficult. Clothes, they had all decided--Murata, his mother and himself--were the best presents to give a little girl. Most toys were too synthetic and foreign, too obviously from Earth. While it was hardly a secret that he was from another world, flaunting it with technological advances like battery powered video game consoles was not the way to go. All the clothes were sweaters and coats, all cute but no longer in season. The rain boots were precious but he could not remember her size. Style was another issue. Yuuri took to looking in the Lolita shops at little girl's clothes, gaining plenty of odd stares. For his daughter it didn't matter and besides, ff he was going to grow up to be his own mother, me might as well discover the joy of dressing up his child in the most gaudy, frilly things he could find.
He found a small, bright red party dress with white lace and ribbons like cake decorations circling the poofy skirt. Layers of petticoat fluff hung down in ruffles; the stockings were trimmed in lace. Pink, not red, would suit Greta best but if she was going away, even if only to visit Wolfram in Murata's worst case scenario, maybe she would like to match her other father. He took the red dress off the rack and continued on, trying to stay away from the gothic selections and focus on sweet and classic. In the few hours he'd spent, he'd learned quite a bit about Lolita fashion. It was at least good to know manly men like Yozak would be far more interested than he was as he browsed through pink plaid and white ruffles. He could have sworn he'd seen Wolfram in a few of the dresses, or maybe it was just the cut and style that reminded him of the fiery mazoku who cross-dressed perhaps a little too well. Even if he hated it, there was no denying Wolfram would have made a beautiful woman.
The shop was nearly empty as Yuuri walked the isles and stared up at the hanging items along the tall walls. He'd drifted from the younger girl sizes at a passing glimpse of pink lace clinging to a mannequin's body with nighttime ruffled bonnet and thigh high stalkings. Yuuri pulled one larger size from the rack and held it up against himself, using his own body type as a quick stand in for Wolfram's in front of a store mirror. It was a little high on his thighs, intended to be paired with bloomers, but Yuuri thought it would look rather good even without them on his friend. The sales clerk's giggle as he scrutinized his reflection turned him scarlet before quickly shoving the garment in his basket and turning around, hastily going back to Greta's sizes and praying the clerk never mentioned what she had seen to a soul. It was his luck when she was the maid at the counter, knowing smile on her face. He almost wished she did know. Then maybe he wouldn't feel like a giant pervert caught red handed.
"Are you sure about these sizes? We have a dressing room if you'd prefer to try them on."
Yuuri shook his head hard, quite sure there was no blood left anywhere but in his face. "N-No! Not necessary. They're for a friend. And my daughter. His daughter--I mean her's! I mean... can you gift wrap these please?"
The maid smiled at him, circle lenses making her eyes large and doll like as she gently folded the dresses and nightgown and boxed them delicately. He had never left a store that quickly or with his head ducked so low in all his life.
Savings spent, Yuuri road home with several bags hanging from his handlebars, careful to hide the store's logo so that it did not face out too much. He took the long way that took him far around the baseball diamond. Even if it was not baseball season, he did not want to risk being seen ridding along with these particular presents in tow.
Today was the fifth day.
Yuuri was not in the least bit surprised when he came home to the chattering of gossips. Murata was just as bad as his mother when the subject suited him and with a whole mountain of details to dish on, and judging by the shrillness of his mother's voice, there was more than enough to entertain them both.
"I'm home!" he announced, exchanging his shoes for a nice, warm pair of house slippers.
"Yuu-chan! You never told me you were wounded in battle!"
Groaning, Yuuri shuffled his way into the hallway, shaking his head at his friend who smiled sheepishly, already digging in to his specially prepared lunch.
"If it wasn't for Ken-chan and Sho-chan, I wouldn't get to hear any of the good stuff!"
"I told you plenty of the 'good' stuff!" He flopped down in his chair at the dining room table, hanging his bags off the one next to his. "And it's not 'good' stuff, anyway! Getting shot is 'bad' stuff."
Miko waved her spatula in the air. "Good stuff, bad stuff, either way, if anyone ever shoots at my boy again I'll run him through!"
Yuuri made sure Murata caught his annoyed stare between bites. It was the best way to say 'I told you so' without leading them into a long discussion over it. He leaned back in his chair as his mother placed a plate of warm food on the table in front of him, stomach growling slightly with the promise of one last home cooked meal. This would be the first time he left with no real promise of coming home. When he'd get to sit at the table and eat his mother's home cooking again was dependent on how life went, no real thought given to how many minutes made up the hours between Home A and Home B. His family had taken the idea surprisingly well. It gave credence to Murata's explanation that Yuuri was the only one uncertain of his future. How everyone else seemed to have figured it out first was still a miracle of foresight to Yuuri, though.
"Did you go shopping, Yuu-chan?" Miko played with the shopping bags, eyes lighting up as the shop's logo flashed into her vision. "Yuu-chan! Without me? You went to a Lolita store without your mama!?"
The blush he'd left behind at the shop crept back up his neck, turning his ears bright red. "I didn't take you because I know how you'd get! It's not a big deal, it's just a few things for over there. Uh.. I need them sealed in that waterproof stuff you had last time, though."
Miko clutched the bags near her chest and hurried off with them.
"Just don't open the-" He stopped, letting his chin fall to his palm. Who was he kidding? He considered himself lucky that at least in this instance his mother knew Wolfram well enough to not assume the larger sized items were for himself. He pushed his food around on his plate and ate.
Murata chuckled around a mouthful of peas. "You have to bring Greta sometime. Mama will be so happy she may never let you go again."
"You mean she might not let Greta go." Yuuri grumbled slightly. There were enough people trying to take Greta from him as it was. He didn't need to add his mother to the ranks. "Remind me never to leave you alone with my mother again."
"We didn't talk about you the whole time."
"Of course not. You have to save time to talk about her cooking." He kicked his foot playfully under the table, continuing to eat his lunch slowly as to savor each bite.
They were both stuffed and satisfied when Miko brought the water-sealed boxes back, smile wide on her face and sure proof of guilt. At least she seemed to like his selections. "Should I put these in the bathroom so you don't forget them?"
Yuuri nodded, stretching his arms over his head. "Yeah, that's fine. Thank you."
She hurried off, returning to offer them more food but neither could eat another bite. "If you stay till tonight I can make you some curry," she offered.
"Mom, thanks, but we'll probably go in a little bit." He burped into his fist. Perhaps he'd eaten a little too much this time.
Miko frowned, wringing at her apron. "Well, do you need underwear? Or maybe a toothbrush? What about photographs? Mama can find you a picture of us for you to take with you."
Yuuri started to dismiss her offers but stopped with the last, finding his eyes drifting to Murata for confirmation.
"Well," the sage began, "they don't have photography as such but you can always explain it as a very good painting to anyone who asks."
Yuuri smiled and turned back to his mother. "A photo sounds great."
Again she rushed out of the room, more packing, more water proofing. By the time Yuuri and Murata were ready to go, Miko had managed to pack for him a stack of items nearly three feet tall sitting on the side of the tub.
"Mom, wha-"
"Oh, just a few extra things. Don't worry, you won't have to carry them. I'll just throw them in like I did last time. Just make sure you don't leave any behind."
Yuuri pouted but didn't argue. The bath water was ready. Murata stepped on in, taking an armful of plastic wrapped boxes to help as Yuuri followed suit. His mother gave him a big hug and kiss, pushing more boxes into his arms least he forget even one.
"Your wings looks very strong today," she told him, winking as she took a step back and loaded herself up with ammunition to toss after them. "Okay, I'm ready!"
"Just try not to actually hit us." Somehow he was sure there would be some bruises either way. He smiled slightly at his mother, too embarrassed to tell her he loved her in front of Murata but sure all the same that she knew. Not one for long goodbyes he let the water open below them and felt the first pow of a box as it smacked him in the face and the pull of the other world as it sucked him down by his feet. Murata's chuckle was swallowed by the water but Yuuri thought he still heard a quiet yelp of surprise to accompany the last splash.
Travel was quick. In moments they were sitting in the fountain of the temple, surrounded by floating boxes and bags like the flotsam of a lost ship. Murata was rubbing at a welt on his cheek.
"Nice catch," Yuuri commented, smiling just a little at the just desserts.
Murata chuckled once more, pulling up one of the stowaway mementos and holding it out between forefinger and thumb. "Well, at the very least we got most of them."
Yuuri nodded, rolling around in the water to pick them all up and set them on the stone lip. Two, four, seven in a stack all safe and dry inside their plastic envelopes. He caught a flash of red as he set them down and looked up, expecting to see the priestesses in their hurry to help their Great Sage. Instead of robes or a skirt there were trousers, though, and thin legs arching up to narrow hips, sword holstered to the side with an elegant uniform jacket laying under the black leather straps. Yuuri felt himself go dumb, staring with his mouth slightly ajar and mind whirling with possibilities.
Wolfram planted his hands on his hips, bending down at the waist to mock the soaked king. "It's about time you showed up."
Yuuri did not so much leap from the fountain as somehow end up with his arms flung around his friend several feet from the fountain's edge in the blink of an eye. Wolfram tensed and stood perfectly still for a moment before relaxing into the welcoming embrace, returning it with much more decorum. Conrad chuckled as he watched them, himself collecting the strange stash of carry-ons the two Earthlings had brought with them.
Yuuri took hold of Wolfram's shoulder's and held him at arms length, getting a good look at his face which was fuller and rosier than it had been on the last occasion he'd seen him. "When did you get here? What are you doing here?"
"I got here a few days ago. Brother wanted Trebic, Shin Makoku and Zorashia to meet to discuss the joint national interests in Greta. Bersi and I decided I would be the best representative we could send." Wolfram smiled, hands resting shyly on Yuuri's hips. "I'll be staying as a guest for the next three weeks or until a decision has been made. I'm glad you finally decided to join us."
As was Yuuri. He pulled Wolfram in for a hug again, giving him one last hard squeeze before finally letting him go. He hated Wolfram's reluctance but with priestesses, big brothers and in more or less an open arena, he supposed there was some cause for remaining more private about certain things. The four of them loaded up the horses with Miko's expertly wrapped packages though Murata declined to go with them to Blood Pledge. He was going to have a good, long chat with a certain original king. Yuuri felt rather inclined to do the same but did not want to waste any further time in getting caught up with events and people he had missed.
Wolfram and Yuuri road side by side with Conrad taking the lead. There was still the distinct impression he was listening in on them but neither seemed to mind. Conrad was as non threatening to their conversation as the birds that had returned to the budding trees were. On horseback, in the sunlight, Wolfram looked radiant, his presence glowing with a regal air. He could see every bit of what the Ten Nobles had known was there when they'd elected their almost 28th Maou. Power and position suited him. Yuuri still preferred him in his home colors of blue, though.
Wolfram caught him staring and raised an eyebrow in question. Sheepishly, Yuuri rubbed at the short hairs at the back of his neck, smiling. "Sorry. It's just that you look so much better than you did the last time I saw you. Looks like you've made a full recovery."
Wolfram nodded. "Thanks in part to your bullying, I'm sure."
"My bullying?!"
"Gisela was just as bad. The instant she thought she could get me alone she grabbed me and dragged me off for a full examination. Between you and Gunter, I think she was convinced Trebic doctors are a bunch of barbaric maniacs."
"I didn't even see Gisela before I left! That's not my fault; that's Gunter one-hundred percent!" Yuuri flailed slightly, not one bit of guilt at throwing Gunter under the bus. "But she said you were okay? No lasting side effects?"
"She said if anything it might have increased my tolerance to houseki. No negative side effects, though." Wolfram paused at the sound of Conrad clearing his throat, a sign of some sort which made the blonde grumble and pinch at the bridge of his nose. "Alright, fine. She also said I'm pregnant."
Yuuri nearly fell off his horse, stumbling over his words more quickly than Ao stumbled under his constantly shifting weight. "You're what?! But--I--How--You--And--But--" His mind raced, his pulse knocked frantically against his ribs, his body was one tight knot of stress. He watched Conrad's shoulders bounce with a private laugh. How was that in any way funny!
Wolfram scowled at his brother. "I told you it wasn't a very good joke."
Joke? Yuuri spoke around a breath lodged in his throat. "Wait, so.. you mean..."
"Don't be so naive, Yuuri. You know it doesn't work that way." Wolfram's chiding tone and rolling eyes at least put his sincerity to rest.
"You're both terrible," he shouted, though he would wager a bet that back home there was a certain cross-dressing spy who deserved the larger share of the blame. It was much more in the scope of the antagonistic man's humor. "I think I almost swallowed my tongue."
"Well, at least you're not disappointed."
"Conrad, why would I be disappointed?"
The soldier shrugged. "Well, it would have meant we wouldn't have to deal with all the issues of providing an heir for Trebic."
"Yes, blame me and my lack of reproductive foresight." Wolfram sat back in his saddle, brimming with attitude and ready to bare it all down on his brother.
Yuuri looked between the two, quite sure he no longer had any idea what was going on anymore. "So, wait... where do mazoku babies come from exactly?"
The incredulous look Wolfram gave him was enough to verify that that feeling of utter stupidity was well warranted. Yuuri looked away, gazing anywhere but in the line of sight of ivy eyes as Conrad's shoulders bounced again with nearly uncontrolled laughter.
Yuuri was still warm from the flush when the horses entered the stone gates of Blood Pledge Castle. He scooped Greta into his arms as she came sailing towards him, her little arms snagging him around the neck and hugging to him tight. Yuuri held her there, patting her back. "I'm home," he whispered against her waves.
"Welcome home, Yuuri!" She pulled back, smile bright as ever. "Wolfram finally came home too! Gwendal said I can sleep in his bed as long as I want!"
Wolfram dismounted close to them, smiling his normal proud father smile as he handed over his reins and came to stand at Yuuri's side. Yuuri stood up straight, Greta's hand in his. "Well, I don't want to bribe you away from him but I did bring a present for you from Earth this time."
Her russet eyes grew large as she for the first time took in the packages secured to the horses. She bounced with excitement. "Can I open it now?"
"Soon as we're inside, you bet. Are you going to help me carry them?"
Greta nodded and held her arms out as Conrad stacked a few for her to carry. They all took part in helping, not one noticing the scarlet breasted man with his long beard in a braid that stalked towards them, loudly exhaling his relief.
"Your Majesty!"
Yuuri looked over his shoulder out of habit and saw Wolfram do the same. The blonde scowled slightly, taking a step away from the others as he waited for the approaching man. "You should recognize whose company you're in, Iorund."
"Of course, I apologize, but I have been searching for you everywhere. You cannot simply ride off as you please." The large man came to stop several feet away, bowing slightly to Yuuri though his current train of thought seemed stuck on its rails. "Ah, yes, Your Majesty Yuuri, it is an honor and a pleasure. Please excuse us."
"I'm not to be excused right now. Yuuri's just returned."
"And how happy all of us are that he has. I'm sure he has things he'd like to see to after so long an absence, though."
Yuuri put his packages down and brushed his palms off on his thighs as he joined them. "I don't think we've met before," he said, angling his way into the conversation. He stood shoulder to should with Wolfram as he smiled up at the larger man. "You can just call me Yuuri if you want, I'm not really into all that formality stuff. I take it you're here with Wolfram?"
The man nodded, bowing slightly again. "Lord Iorund Sturla, You Majesty. I am the Prince Consort's retainer on this journey."
"Well, Iorund, you got the easiest job in the world then! There's not one person in this whole castle who would want any harm to come to Wolfram. I hope you can relax and enjoy yourself." Yuuri got the impression from the way the man's face crinkled that following Wolfram around was far from as easy as he imagined. Then again, with Wolfram and he it had always been the other way around.
Iorund stroked his beard absently. "Oh, it's been... enjoyable. However amiable the company, however, there are still protocols to adhere to." His attention turned again to Wolfram. "Riding off without an escort outside the castle walls is dangerous. If you have waited, I would gladly have accompanied you."
"I was with Conrad. I was perfectly safe."
"Sir Weller's job is to protect His Majesty Yuuri. You are my responsibility. Please do not be so reckless in future. A false sense of security is just what our enemies are looking for in order to strike again." Iorund placed his hand on Wolfram's shoulder, face grim as he pleaded with his figurehead.
Wolfram wasn't home again. Not really. Yuuri imagined Shin Makoku like a giant zoo with all its people like little exhibits, there to see but not to be interacted with, the harmless just as untouchable as the dangerous. Wolfram's position in Trebic stretched much further then just the clothes he wore, even while in the land that raised him for eighty-plus years. So close; so far away. Yuuri wanted to take his hand in that odd impulse to show unspoken support.
Perhaps sensing this, Wolfram crossed his arms over his chest, hands tucked in neatly at his elbows. "Perhaps you should work harder at keeping up with me if you're so worried. I have no intention of acting like a frightened beast in my own homeland."
"It's my fault, Lord Sturla. It won't happen again." Conrad bowed his head curtly, arms loaded with Yuuri's plastic wrapped things. "I'll be sure you are kept aware of his movements in the future. I hadn't considered it might be an issue but I understand your concerns."
"Ah.. thank you, Sir Weller. I, uh, appreciate it." Iorund cleared his throat, clasping his hands in front of his diagonal sash of gold. "I don't mean to sound suspicious, surely, it's just.. well, you can never be too cautious, you know. Not in these times." He looked at Wolfram, signs of worry still crinkling his face. "Will you be joining us in the conference room now that you've returned?"
Wolfram hesitated and Yuuri did not care to give him time to answer. "Uh, actually, I brought some things I'd like him to see. And considering what it is that everyone is here to conference about, I think my family needs some time alone. If that's okay."
Iorund's round face said it was not okay. Wolfram side-stepped him, ushering Greta to come along as he began to walk towards the stairs leading up from the common area. "More than that, someone needs to inform Yuuri as to what he's missed so he'll be of some use when he joins us." He waved to him in dismissal. "I won't leave the castle again so go about your other duties."
"Your Majesty, I..." Iorund sighed, shaking his weary head. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Conrad offered him a sympathetic smile as he and Yuuri both followed behind Wolfram and Greta's regal backs.
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A Marriage of State