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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
- 41
- 42
- 43
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 – 21. Eldara – 32. Halea – 20. Athara – 18. Gwendal – 54.
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.
Bloom
by chayron (lttomb@yahoo.com), beta-read by Anonymously Awesome
Part 42
“He w-what?” Yozak stuttered. Incredulous, he stared at Conrart.
“He wants to marry Wolfram,” Conrart repeated. He frowned in distaste when Yozak burst out laughing.
“Atta boy! Snatched himself the second most important man in Kardera!”
Conrart’s face became bitterly reproachful. “I’m not sure who snatched whom here and besides, Orinth the Sixth has heirs, who are much more important than von Ashira.”
Yozak waved it off. “Who cares?” He shook his head. “But really, von Ashira went and proposed? Amazing, I never expected that!”
Conrart huffed in irritation. “Why do you seem so happy about this?”
“And what’s there to be unhappy about? Good for them!”
“I don’t think it’s a very good idea. Maybe he’s planning to make Wolfram give up his rights to von Bielefeld’s House?” Conrart suggested, but his voice was doubtful.
Yozak patted his friend on his shoulder. “That’s utter drivel, and you know it. Wolfram is indeed fascinated with von Ashira, but it would take much more than that for Wolfram to even consider the idea.”
“He could try to force or blackmail Wolfram.”
Yozak raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Contrarily to the seemingly popular opinion that von Ashira is bent on abusing Wolfram in some way, I honestly believe that he genuinely likes Wolfram. A lot at that.”
“They have nothing in common!” Conrart protested.
“They do, actually…” Yozak said. “First,” he bent his thumb, “they enjoy each other’s company. Second, they obviously enjoy the sex, too. Third,” he bent another finger in Conrart’s dissatisfied face, “they are from the same strata. Shall I continue?”
“You can since there’s nothing else to add.”
“I beg to differ,” Yozak said, bending yet another finger. “They both love horses. Both of them love sword fighting. Both of them feel that there’s something they can gain from each other.”
Conrart glowered at him. “That’s where the problem is – it’s all about gaining something. I don’t understand that kind of thing in a marriage.”
“Quite the opposite. I believe that it can only work if both parties complement each other. Love is fleeting, what’s left later is…”
“And yet you just said how similar they are!”
Yozak rolled his eyes. “Oh, for gods’ sakes. So now you want me to enumerate their differences? Stop acting childish!”
Conrart gritted his teeth but stayed quiet. This discussion was really starting to turn into a childish spat. It was not only about Wolfram now. This was way more personal than Conrart wanted to admit. Deep down, he was starting to resent Yozak for everything he was made to go through.
“You see only one side of the coin,” Yozak was saying. “It goes both ways, though. I can assure you that Wolfram finds a lot of appeal in the idea of such a powerful and influential man belonging to him.”
Conrart threw him an annoyed look. He knew that. Wolfram was selfish, but it wasn’t the point. The point was that many men in Wolfram’s place would accept von Ashira’s offer. They would think that there was nothing to lose. Except that there was.
“Do you really believe von Ashira will stay loyal to Wolfram?” Conrart asked. “What will Wolfram do when von Ashira resorts to playing around behind his back? Such a disgrace!”
“Well, who could blame him? This marriage would be a business deal. Besides… I bet Wolfram would be the first to breach the deal.”
“Your cynicism astounds me,” Conrart spat in distaste. “Although, I don’t know what else I expected from you!” he grunted, leaving his chair. He walked to the door briskly, and slammed it behind himself.
<center>oOo_Two Weeks Later_oOo</center>
The sea waved lazily, the sails billowed out in the favorable winds, and the three ships were speeding steadily forward towards Shin Makoku. The main ship – a trading one – was being escorted by the military warships. The duke with his guests and most of his guards were on the trade ship. If the good weather persisted, a two days’ journey awaited them.
Soon after they set sail, Wolfram’s stomach rebelled just as everyone was afraid it would. The blond was ushered into the cabin he and Eldara shared, away from the sight of the gently rolling sea. The pail bucket never left Wolfram’s side. Once his stomach had gotten rid of breakfast, the blond felt relatively better.
Eldara took his time looking around on the deck. Later, he entered their cabin to find Wolfram on the bed, lying on his stomach. The bed was made, and he was lying on the covers, listless. There was also a pail next to the bed on the floor. Eldara approached Wolfram and sat down on the corner of the bed. He could smell the faint hint of vomit.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked, stroking the blond’s back.
Wolfram shook his head. “No. Yes. I don’t know!” he groaned miserly. “I hate this!”
The duke’s soothing hand brushed over Wolfram’s right shoulder. He pushed his fingers behind the younger man’s collar to touch his nape. The skin was cool and damp. With a sigh, Eldara stood up and went to the chest near the wall where he stored his clothing and started searching through it. In a few moments, he pulled out a small bottle. He carried it to the bed and offered to Wolfram.
“This should take care of your nausea. Two drops into a glass of water, twice a day.”
Suspicious, Wolfram sat up and took the bottle. “What’s that?”
“It’s medicine for seasickness. This is what some of my men use when we need to travel longer distances by ship. Truth be told, it is mostly used by half-bloods, but I’ve also seen it work for full-bloods. I didn’t notice any side effects, and, honestly, I doubt you can get any worse.”
The blond gave Eldara an accusatory look. “Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”
“I had discussed this with Gurrier and he had refused to allow it on the basis that it could poison you.”
Wolfram motioned for him to get some of water from the barrel at the end of the cabin. “Why didn’t you ask me first?”
“Because he’s the one responsible for your wellbeing.”
“You prick,” Wolfram admonished. “And yet you’re giving it to me.”
“Yes, I shouldn’t,” Eldara said. “You can tell on me if you wish.” He carried a tin mug to Wolfram and watched him add two drops into the water.
“If this helps, I’ll want to know its composition,” Wolfram said, before drinking from the mug. He figured he was going to throw up most of it in a few minutes. He lay back down again, hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

Wolfram woke up six hours later after a good, quality sleep, feeling much better. It was completely dark in the cabin, but he could hear someone breathing next to him; obviously it was Eldara. There were new blankets and covers over them; Eldara had obviously not wanted to wake him up while pulling out the ones underneath.
He rolled onto his back and sighed. For a few moments, he stared at the ceiling, but it was completely dark and he wondered how long the effects of the medicine would last. Eldara mentioned something about taking it twice a day, but Wolfram worried it might wear off sooner.
Wolfram hadn’t given Eldara his answer yet, but that hadn’t changed the duke’s decision to visit Shin Makoku. Feeling guilty about his indecisiveness, he had avoided asking about Eldara’s reasons. Perhaps it was purely business or, even more likely, the attempt to face the rest of his family, namely Gwendal, directly and clear up all possible misunderstandings and animosity. However, how Eldara was going to do that under the current circumstances was beyond him.
The blond wasn’t certain why it was so difficult to make the decision. One moment he would be overtaken by the irresistible idea of making Eldara his and the next he would be scared by the very thought of commitment to the duke. The main reason, though, why he hesitated to accept the proposal was that he knew his family, mainly Gwendal, would not approve of Eldara. On the other hand, was it really important? They wouldn’t be the ones to marry Eldara.
There was something missing, Wolfram could feel it clearly. He had never thought about these things nor had he needed encouragement when he had been engaged to Yuuri. He hadn’t cared about anyone and anything, he had just been waiting for Yuuri to say the word – he would have married Yuuri in an instant.
But that was back then, when he hadn’t known any better.
Wolfram turned to his side, shifted closer to Eldara’s back and pressed his forehead between the other man’s shoulder blades. He inhaled deeply and let Eldara’s scent wash through him. The particular smell was comforting as usual. It was soft, diluted as it often was with half-bloods. As far as Wolfram knew, humans and most half-bloods weren’t as sensitive to the scent of others as Demons were. There wasn’t much of a difference, though.
“Feeling better?”
Wolfram blinked at Eldara’s back. “Yeah, I’m fine. That medicine worked wonders. Sorry, did I wake you up?”
Eldara yawned loudly. “Not exactly you, rather that thing poking into my thigh.”
“Ugh.” A little embarrassed, Wolfram scooted away from him.
“Want to have a go?” Eldara suggested albeit in a disinterested voice.
“No, not really.”
“Good,” the duke said, turning around, throwing his arm around the blond’s midsection. “Sleep.”
Wolfram rolled his eyes. A few minutes later Eldara’s breathing evened out indicating that he was asleep again.
Wolfram spent the rest of the night brooding, his thoughts somewhat chaotic. His sleep was a fitful one, and he awoke in the morning with a throbbing headache from a lack of rest.
- - -
“Are you really alright?” Yozak asked Wolfram when all of them were sitting down at the breakfast table in Wolfram and Eldara’s cabin. “Won’t you hurl?”
“I’m completely fine, Yozak.”
“He gave it to you after all, didn’t he? And after I explicitly told him not to!”
“I’m glad he did. That medicine is a lifesaver.”
The door to the cabin creaked open, and Eldara entered the cabin. He was being followed by Karela and a heavily built brunette. Wolfram stared at the newcomer in disbelief.
“You!” he exclaimed.
From behind the duke’s back, the brunette took a good look at Wolfram.
“Von Bielefeld! Fancy meeting you here, darling! How’s life treating you?”
While Conrart and Yozak were thinking about whether they should do something about the disrespect the captain of the ship was showing to Wolfram, the blond’s eyes found Eldara’s and gave the duke a hard, questioning stare.
“You said he was dead.”
Eldara circled the table to take a seat next to Wolfram while Karela took a guarding position behind their backs.

“Well…” Eldara drawled. “I wasn’t exactly truthful, I suppose.”
“Not exactly truthful?” Wolfram sputtered. “You said Sharp Ronny was dead! You lied!”
“And why exactly does that surprise you?” Sharp Ronny asked, taking a seat opposite Wolfram. “Von Ashira here makes a living off of lies.” He gave the blond a charming smile. “Well, truth be told, no one calls me Sharp Ronny anymore. Now I’m better known as Vatora Rozenblom.”
“What the hell is with that?” Wolfram grunted, losing his patience.
“But really, you’re just as pretty as I remember!” Sharp Ronny said. “Pretty as a picture!”
“Shut your mouth, you damn pirate!” Wolfram snapped at him. He glared at the duke. “What the hell is going on?!”
Eldara shrugged. He extended his hand with his palm upwards towards Sharp Ronny. “Allow me to introduce you. Vatora Rozamblom, the captain of The Savior, my most…inspiring subject.”
Yozak and Conrart kept looking from Wolfram to Rozamblom and to the duke, not certain what to make of all this. Conrart had travelled with the captain before and had deemed him to be a friendly, easy-going man. Him apparently being a pirate was…
Yozak’s sword jingled as it was drawn. “Is this the one who kidnapped you back then?”
Wolfram motioned for him to stand down. “He’s a Demon, and wields water; I don’t think you have much of a chance against him. Besides, now he’s…von Ashira’s subject,” he spat angrily.
“Why don’t we all just sit down and discuss it civilly?” the duke suggested with a motion at the readied table. “Personally, I am hungry.”
Wolfram threw him a smoldering glare.
“Yes, indeed,” Rozamblom seconded the duke. He smiled sweetly when Wolfram motioned for his suite to sit down. “Don’t worry, darling,” he said, spearing a chicken breast with his fork and dragging it into his plate. “I’m a changed man now. No more pirating and plundering for me.” He turned to look at the duke, who pointedly ignored him. “Well, unless I share some of the loot, ain’t that so, handsome?”
Eldara’s brow rose but he stayed quiet while filling his plate.
Rozamblom turned back to Wolfram. “I’m glad to see you doing well. I was almost certain that von Ashira here had you hanged together with my mates; he doesn’t take kindly to other ‘vons’.”
“You talk too much, Rozamblom,” Eldara said, giving him a warning look.
“Well, Gods gave man a mouth for a reason,” Rozamblom pointed out raising his fork in the air.
“Indeed,” Eldara said.
The people started in shock when suddenly Karela’s sword wedged itself into the table right next to Rozamblom’s right hand. He nearly dropped the chicken breast he was chewing on.
“I would believe that you would find it difficult to talk without your head,” the duke said softly. He gave another signal to Karela.
The captain’s foot took leverage on the edge of the table and he pulled his blade out of the wood. Sheathing the sword, Karela cast an unamused look at the former pirate.
Rozamblom swallowed the chicken in his mouth and took another bite. “Aren't you worried about scaring your sweetheart here?” he asked the duke wistfully. “You’re showing your true colors.”
“Do I look worried?” Eldara asked him quietly, leaning forward in his chair, his posture challenging.
“Gods,” Rozamblom grunted, “I could fuck you on top of this table right now.”
In the stunned silence that followed, Eldara stared at him then blinked slowly. “Would that actually make you shut up?”
An excited grin appeared on Rozamblom’s face. With his chunky fingers he reached out for Eldara’s face, but Karela’s hand wrapped around his wrist mercilessly.
“I suppose we will never find out,” Eldara said with false regret. “Now, please, Rozamblom, be on your best behavior, or I will be compelled to throw you into the sea. Headless.”
“I suppose you’re not kidding this time,” Rozamblom said, noting that particular look in the duke’s eyes.
“I can assure you that I am not.”
The rest of breakfast passed in near-complete silence.
- - -
The sun was bright, but it was windy and cold. Most men, though, were on the deck, celebrating Yozak’s birthday. It was the first time in Wolfram’s life that he was able to stand on the deck and enjoy the scenery of the waving sea without getting sick. The men had been given a mug of wine each and were sipping it leisurely while watching the show.
Eldara was standing next to Wolfram, watching Yozak, who was prancing and strutting about according to the music, trying to entertain everyone.
“It’s my first time seeing something like this,” the duke muttered softly, not even trying to hide the wonderment in his voice.
“It’s his favorite,” Wolfram said, referring to Yozak’s bright blue dress.
“Does he really think he looks like a woman?” the duke asked, observing the towering ginger. “He’s huge! Those shoulders!”
“It’s probably just the idea itself,” Wolfram. “I like to think of it as a hobby.” He grinned contently at the sight of Yozak showing off his newly-received belt to Conrart. It didn’t compliment the dress, but went well with Yozak’s sturdy
Eldara obviously noticed that as well as he asked, “Doesn’t he normally try to match his shoes with that…outfit?”
While trying to remember, Wolfram gave him a look. “Well, I suppose today is… High heels are probably difficult to wear on the deck…” he ventured a guess. “Make-up makes it all better, though. There were times when he easily passed as a woman.”
Eldara looked incredulous. “Were they blind?”
Wolfram laughed softly. “It’s his personality. He seems to be honest to a fault.”
They watched the laughing men, clapping their hands to the music streaming from the accordion. Yozak invited Conrart for a dance, and the two of them spun around in a made-up dance for a couple of moments. Then a few more men joined in and soon the whole ship started buzzing and shaking from the feet hitting the planks.
“Care for a dance?” Eldara suggested to Wolfram.
“No, thank you.”
“Are you still angry about Rozamblom?”
“You mean Sharp Ronny? No, why would I be?”
“So you are still angry.”
“Of course, I am! He intended to get ransom for me and threatened to kill me if it wasn’t paid!”
“Oh, Wolfram, I am sure murder wasn’t included in his plans.”
Wolfram’s eyes went ablaze, like fiery emeralds. “You think I’d have been happier if he’d made me a prostitute?! How dare you?!”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“No, that’s exactly what you meant!” Wolfram hissed.
“No, I meant that he would have tried to release you at the best available port as soon as possible.”
“Nonsense.”
Eldara sighed. “I understand how you feel, but I need men like him. His leadership skills and navigational knowledge are first class. I offered him a deal, he accepted it. That’s all there’s to it.”
“Yeah,” Wolfram muttered angrily, “that’s all there’s to it. And it pisses me off.”
<center>oOo_Two Days Later_oOo</center>
They reached Maria’s Port early in the morning, at about five. The men started unloading the ship, carrying the goods onto the shore. They were mostly done when Gunter and Cecilie appeared from the local tavern.
“Wolfie!” Cecilie exclaimed, waving at Wolfram, who was standing next to Rendar, checking how the horse had undergone the voyage. She rushed forward and grabbed the blond into a hug.
“Yes, Mother,” Wolfram said, returning the hug, “I’m glad to see you, too.”
“You’ve grown even more,” she said. “You’re probably taller than me now!”
“Really?” Wolfram wondered. He didn’t have time to dwell on the thought because, the next moment, his attention was completely usurped by an excited Gunter. Wolfram hadn’t expected either Gwendal or Yuuri to show up at the port, but he still found himself exhaling in relief when he saw no sign of them.
Cecilie turned to Eldara. “Eldara, sweetheart, how was the trip?” she asked, holding her hand out for Eldara to kiss.
The duke kissed her hand then raised his head. “Thank you, I can’t complain. Everything went smoothly.”
“When I saw you last, I did have a feeling that we would see each other again in Shin Makoku,” Cecilie told him. “Gwendal will be overjoyed to see you.”
“I have no doubt about that,” Eldara answered just as cheerfully.
“Is that your new horse?” Gunter asked when he saw Wolfram patting down the same mare over and over.
“Yes, it’s Eldara’s gift. Her name is Rendar, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right. We’ve actually brought Kerda with us. We thought you’d have missed her.”
Wolfram’s eyes sparkled. “Of course I have! Where’s she?”
“Down at the tavern stables, with other horses.” Fascinated, Gunter brushed Rendar’s mane. “It’s a splendid beast.”
“It really is,” Wolfram agreed. “Her gait is superbly soft.”
Together, Wolfram and the duke’s men and also several guards that Gunter and Cecilie brought with them, made up a large group. Despite the fact that Gunter and Cecilie had brought five spare horses and a cart with them, the guards still had to rent almost all the horses they could find in nearby inns and taverns. This time, Eldara had refused to rent a carriage since he realized that he would be the only one using it.
Wolfram rode Kerda. He had lent Rendar to Conrart. Two days of horse travelling and inns awaited them.
<center>oOo_Two Days Later_oOo</center>
Wolfram wasn’t able to contain his excitement when he saw the turrets of Blood Pledge Castle appear on the horizon. It had been such a long time when he saw the sight last. They entered the capital, passed the painfully-familiar town streets and wound their way up around the mountain. The gate was open and they filed into the yard.
The news of their arrival had already reached everyone, and, despite the cold spring weather, nearly the entire household was waiting outside to greet them. The king and Gwendal were standing side by side in front of everyone else. The Great Sage was a little farther, with the rest of the household.
“Your Majesty,” Wolfram said awkwardly, sliding off Kerda, throwing the reins to the stable boy. “It’s nice to see You again.”
“Indeed,” Gwendal said in a loud voice when Yuuri stayed silent. “Welcome back.”
“Wow, Wolfram,” Yuuri grunted out, having overcome his initial shock. He stared at the blond for a few more seconds then rushed over to him and grabbed him into a fierce hug. A few moments later he let go of Wolfram and took a good look at him again. “Amazing! You’ve…grown?” he said not quite managing to grasp the baffling changes in the other man. His eyes set on Wolfram’s face. The familiar green eyes were looking back at him, and Yuuri thought that he could read bewilderment, sadness, and anxiety. Or maybe it was just how Yuuri himself felt.
The king realized that he was staring, and it was becoming embarrassing, so he punched the blond’s shoulder playfully. “You just look at all that muscle!” he exclaimed again.
“It’s the coat,” Wolfram muttered awkwardly. There went his initial resolve to act reserved and distant with the king. He had not expected such a warm greeting and now wasn’t certain how to react. His cheeks, though, tinted pink at the compliments – he had always loved them. Wolfram looked over at Eldara to see his reaction, but the duke’s interest was solely in Gwendal. The two were staring at each other. Finally, Gwendal broke the eye contact with a soft inclination of his head.
“Your Grace,” he said, a deep wrinkle of concern lining his forehead.
Eldara bowed his head in answer. “Your Highness.”
Everyone was ushered into the castle and then the readied baths to wash off the dirt of the long journey. After that, they joined the household in the dining room. Everyone had been invited to the table: the duke’s men and Wolfram’s guards. Gunter had made certain that the cuisine would be as neutral as possible.
Wolfram shared his experience of the sea trip and how the medicine he had been given had made a huge difference. Gisela was interested in its composition, and one of the duke’s men, in garbled dialect, explained what the medicine entailed. Gisela asked one of the maids to bring her some paper and a pen to write down the exact details.
They dined leisurely and long after they were done, conversation continued into the late evening, no one leaving the table. The chatter was polite and of no importance. Conrart was the first person to finally leave the dining room, and other people started following his example. Gwendal, who could hardly contain his wish to have a matter-of-fact conversation with von Ashira, had to act courteous and let him get some well-deserved rest in the guest room. He also wanted to talk to Wolfram, but the tiredness on his brother’s face was unmistakable.
- - -
Eldara entered von Voltaire’s office. Closing the door behind himself, he took in the charmless, heavy furniture. The colors were dark but there was a large window on the left wall, covering most of it. It was sealed for winter yet it was cold in the office. Eldara thought whether it was von Voltaire’s masochistic way to maintain his endurance or it was something that he had used to long time ago and didn’t even notice now. It had to be hot in here in summer as well.
Von Voltaire had pushed his chair away from the desk and stood up to welcome him. Walking towards him, von Ashira inconspicuously tried to discover any possible hiding places for yarn and knitting-needles. They had to be either in the cabinet on the bottom behind the tiny doors or in one of the desk drawers.
“Your Grace,” Gwendal nodded, motioning to the seat in front of his desk.
“Thank you,” Eldara said, taking the seat. Gwendal sat down as well.
“To what do we owe the honor of Your presence, Your Grace?” Gwendal started, getting straight to the point.
There was no mistaking the slight distaste in von Voltaire’s voice, and Eldara gave him a somewhat amused look.
“The main purpose of this visit is to ask for Wolfram’s hand in marriage.”
Gwendal’s face turned sour. He wasn’t surprised by the announcement as he had suspected that things might turn out this way. The reports that had been sent from Raizgad had indicated as much.
Gwendal leaned back in his chair. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Gwendal couldn’t even find enough strength in himself to get angry with this outrageous man.
“And what does Wolfram think of this?”
“I am waiting for his answer.”
“I see.” Gwendal’s back straightened, and he put his elbows on the desk, crossing his fingers. “Your Grace, if You’re expecting my blessing, I’m afraid I must disappoint You.”
Von Voltaire’s whole posture was challenging, and Eldara felt that his visit to Shin Makoku had already paid off. “Oh, it is not exactly that, Your Highness,” he said, leaning forward as well. “I am merely informing You.”
Gwendal suddenly felt an urge to punch that smug face. “Your Grace, I will do everything that is in my power to prevent this marriage.”
The duke chuckled. He spread his hands apart. “But, Your Highness, just think about all the benefits and opportunities this union would bring to both our countries.”
Von Voltaire frowned in distaste. “I care little about said benefits when it involves my little brother.”
Eldara nodded approvingly. “That is laudable. However, there is more to this marriage than the aforementioned benefits.”
Even though Gwendal could presume what the answer would be, he was compelled to ask: “And what is that, Your Grace?”
“Mutual interest.”
Gwendal’s eyebrows rose. “Your Grace, this was the part where You were supposed to say ‘love’.”
“Was it?” the duke wondered absently. “Your Highness, I’m not so presumptuous as to speak for Wolfram, though.”
Staring at him, Gwendal leaned back in his chair again. The problem was that he didn’t know what Wolfram’s opinion was on this matter. Maybe his brother really wanted to marry this scandalous man? Gwendal frowned at the very thought. Gwendal, however, could understand why Wolfram would be enthralled by him. Von Ashira wasn’t an ordinary man. Smart and cunning, charming when he wanted to be. Despite his annoyingly arrogant demeanor, von Ashira could probably have any man he wanted. Gwendal remembered the time when he had said that von Ashira wasn’t his type. That wasn’t entirely true.
“Why Wolfram?” Gwendal asked, leaving out the honorifics.
Von Ashira hid his grin – von Voltaire had been formal to a fault but, finally, his patience had snapped. One way or another, now they were on the first-name basis.
“I like him,” Eldara said. “Isn’t this a reason enough?”
Gwendal gave him a skeptical look. “I find it hard to imagine, you being interested in a man ten years younger than yourself.”
Von Ashira shrugged. “Are you really in a position to say that? Tastes differ from person to person.”
Von Voltaire’s fingers drummed on the desk. “Wolfram isn’t obedient,” he said irritably. “If you’re looking for an easily manip-”
“I don’t particularly want him to be obedient,” Eldara denied. He smiled at Gwendal. “Obedient ones are boring.”
Von Voltaire gave him an uncertain look. There was something about von Ashira that made him uneasy. Was the man flirting with him or was it one of his common arrogant remarks and was best to be ignored? No, that wasn’t exactly that. The formal letters they had been exchanging throughout half a year had mildly been permeated by mischievous teasing. Gwendal had found the manner of the letters most annoying since he found nothing amusing in his brother and the duke’s relationship.
Von Voltaire laughed suddenly. Disbelieving, he stared at von Ashira. “Is that it? Are you doing this just because I said you were not my type?” He noted how the duke’s blue eyes darkened.
“Of course not!” Eldara denied. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“That’s it. That’s exactly what it is,” Gwendal drew his own conclusions. “I can’t believe this… And now you dare ask… I can see right through you!” he sneered.
“Can you?” the duke wondered.
“Yes! I know what it is that you really want, but just because you’re…”
“Yes? Just because I am what?” Eldara questioned when von Voltaire trailed off.
“Arrogant,” Gwendal spat. “You’re arrogant,” he repeated.
The duke’s eyebrows rose but he said nothing, continuing to play with the adornments on his sleeves.
“Aren’t you going to deny it?” Gwendal asked when the other man stayed quiet.
The duke shrugged. “I’ve been accused of this a few times before. It might just be true.”
Instead of pacifying him, the shameless admission made von Voltaire even more furious. “I ought to level Raizgad to the ground!” he spat, rising forward in his chair.
Eldara’s eyebrows rose in surprise. He had no doubts that this was in von Voltaire’s power but the man wasn’t known for flinging around random threats of such big measurements. He might have pushed von Voltaire just a little bit too far. Yet, he couldn’t help enjoying the fervent reaction.
“And you’d do it just because I’m arrogant?”
Gwendal snorted. He dropped back into his chair. He kept losing his composure because of this man, and it annoyed him greatly. “It’s one of the reasons why wars are waged – arrogance,” he said.
Eldara smiled. “Well, despite what you think of me, I don’t want war. I want peace.”
“Oh, I know what you want,” Gwendal snapped at him.
“You keep repeating that but I have to hear yet what it is you think I want,” Eldara pointed out.
“You want your petty revenge for the words I said back then. I can’t believe how immature you are!”
Rolling his eyes theatrically, Eldara sighed. “I didn’t even expect you to remember that insignificant scene.”
Gwendal’s frown deepened. “Well, it wasn’t my brightest episode.”
“Yes,” Eldara agreed readily, “I would imagine it can get really tiring, all those matchmaking efforts by Lady Cecilie.”
Irritated, Gwendal kept tapping his fingers on the desk. He wished he could just send von Ashira back to Raizgad and forget all this as if it were a bad dream. He could get rid of von Ashira by ordering him to leave but that would go against all possible etiquette. Thus, he just kept stubbornly staring at the man.
Eldara watched his petulant expressions for some time then leaned back in his chair and lowered his hands onto his lap.
“Despite what you’re thinking, it is not my intention to harm Wolfram in any way. He’s a splendid young man. He’s also smart enough to decide for himself.”
Gwendal snorted. “I’m not certain he understands who he’s dealing with.”
“Don’t make me sound as if I am some kind of a bloodthirsty monster.”
“Ah.” Gwendal inclined his head. “I didn’t mean that. I just meant that…” Gwendal trailed off, looking for the right words, and the duke rolled his eyes.
“You might not like me at all,” Eldara said, “but, in the end, it is Wolfram’s decision, isn’t it? There’s also a big chance that he will reject my proposal; he’s still got some lingering feelings for His Majesty Yuuri Shibuya.”
A little confused, Gwendal tugged at the end of his ponytail. “What is it that you’re trying to do, really?”
Eldara chuckled. “I’m trying to marry Wolfram.”
“You’re testing my patience,” Gwendal groaned. Seeing how there was no point in continuing the conversation, he stood up, indicating that the meeting was over. “I’ll be watching you,” he warned.
The duke nodded. He stood up as well. “Yes, I know. And I still want to marry him. Don’t I get additional points for my courage?”
Gwendal frowned. “This is not a game.”
Eldara smiled.
TBC
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