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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
- 5
- 6
- 7
Chapter Five
Dinner was an awkward occasion served with chicken, vegetables, and assorted cakes for dessert. Those in attendance ranged from close family to friends to visiting dignitaries and while everyone remained pleasant and well mannered, the underlying static in the air made for little conversation. Yuuri pushed pees around on his plate with his spork, not sure how to think or feel. Beside him, Greta' seemed to display nothing but joy at having her father back, happiness overshadowing previous complaints of loneliness and fear. Conrad's spirits seemed lifted since the reading of Wolfram's letter while Gwendal's unreadable frown was just as firmly set. One could hardly tell anything was amiss from Cecilie's flirtatious advances towards Sir Bersi Veleif who found her amusing and drank wine like he had a separate stomach just for alcohol still to fill. It was as if life just carried on after someone important had left and while Yuuri knew that that was exactly how things went, it felt wrong. Maybe it was because he'd only know for hours where as everyone at the table had known for several weeks. The news still stung, more so knowing that he was too late by far to take back what had been done. He'd been playing baseball, attending classes, spending time with his family while Wolfram was saying vows to a total stranger and living a brand new life in a far away kingdom away from his family and friends. From what Yuuri understood from Gwendal's explanation in the war room, ordering Wolfram to return was not the hard part, it was the potential message it would send to everyone who was, as a result of the marriage, showing an interest in siding with them in a global conflict: they didn't keep their promises, they weren't really looking for peaceful cohabitation with humans, their king was fickle and untrustworthy. Yuuri didn't care so much what people thought of him but how it reflected on his country was a grave concern to him. He liked that people were beginning to come around to his ideals. He liked that it had been brought about by interest and not intimidation or fear. He hated the price they paid and wondered with pees stuck to the utensil's prongs if he could live with himself even if it did achieve world peace knowing at what cost.
"You look as though you're in a trance, Your Majesty."
Yuuri blinked and looked at Sir Veleif, putting his spork down. "Sorry. Just thinking."
"Please, don't apologize. I'm sure it has been a stressful homecoming." Sir Veleif smiled and downed his seventh glass of wine, cheeks rosier than the hair on his head. "I'm sorry to hear you're unhappy with the arrangements we've made in your absence. Having seen your ex-fiance, I can see why you would dislike having lost him. He's won over most of Trebic with that face of his."
Though Yuuri missed much more than his pretty face, it was hard to fault the stranger for picking that particular trait as the one he'd miss. Wolfram's beauty had been the first thing Yuuri had noticed about his friend, the reason he'd made the mistake of slapping him when what he'd really deserved was a punch in the nose. Yuuri sighed and abandoned his plate. He couldn't eat with his conscience weighing so heavily against his stomach.
"Was he well received?" Conrad asked, plate clean with a cake in hand.
"Relatively. We were a little worried when they came off the ship but most people seemed too busy staring to bother throwing food or rocks at the carriage. I can't say much as to what he's been doing in his time but things have been generally quiet. Seems we underestimated the public's reaction to a mixed race marriage. Plans for the official state ceremony are already underway. I take it we can put you all down for attendance?"
"Oh, I love weddings," Cecilie cooed. "And Wolfram looks darling in white. We both do. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Sir Veleif chuckled, giving Cecilie's hand a pat. "Splendid. I'm sure Alfgeir would be delighted to meet his mother-in-law. Especially one who looks young enough to be his little sister."
Cecilie practically purred at the attention.
Greta dropped her spork loudly to her plate. "Wolfram belongs here with Yuuri and Greta! It's not right!" She pushed her chair back and ran from the room, leaving the door open behind her.
"These things can be hard for children to understand," Sir Veleif said.
Yuuri felt very much like a child, then. He stood up slowly, napkin covering his plate. "I should look after her. Please excuse us." He inclined his head to his guest and walked after his daughter. He could hear her crying, footsteps and sobs echoing down the halls. His walk became a run as he chased after her, finding her at last in his bedroom, face down in the bed like a forgotten ragdoll. He sat down beside her, petting her wavy hair, offering her comfort when he could offer her little else.

She sat up and threw herself over his lap, arms wrapped around his middle.
"You'll bring Wolfram back, won't you?"
Yuuri winced. He rubbed her back in soothing circles, not sure of anything at that moment. "I'm going to see what I can do. I'm meeting with Gwendal tomorrow."
"But you're the king!"
"Yeah. I'm the king." Yuuri leaned back, looking out the window at the star filled sky as he stroked her hair. "I think Waltrana and the others were right. Wolfram would have made a good king. He cares more about Shin Makoku than he does his own life. I don't know... if I could do it." Or rather, he knew he couldn't. He'd been tested on his priorities before and while he had no problem dying for Shin Makoku, he could not abandon the life he lived for another. When given a choice between his homes, he'd chosen to remain forever on Earth. Even knowing that he'd be with friends was not enough to sway his heart to relinquish his family and familiar surroundings. Wolfram had done it and then some. Yuuri couldn't help but almost feel somehow inadequate, like Wolfram was spurning him on to do a better job, to be present more in their world, to take more of an initiative in politics, act instead of react. It was just like Wolfram to point out his flaws. Usually he at least did it where Yuuri could see him.
Greta wiped her face off on her father's shirt. "I just want us to be a family again," she cried, hiccuping.
Yuuri helped her sit up, holding her shoulders as he smiled gently. "We're still a family. Where I come from, sometimes moms and dads don't live together and the kids live with just one or the other. Even if Wolfram isn't here, it doesn't make him any less your dad. I mean, it was a little weird at first but I think having him around, especially when I was away, was the best way things could have been. But I'm going to be around more, okay? So even if it's just you and me, you won't be alone for very long."
Greta smiled, arms around her father again for a hug. "Yuuri, if Wolfram is married does that make his husband my daddy too?"
"Uh.. I think two dads is enough."
Greta nodded, sitting back to rub her eyes. "I think my two dads are the best. I really wanted you to get married instead."
Yuuri kissed her head. "It's okay. And if it's not, I'm going to do everything I can to make it okay. So please don't cry."
"Greta will be strong," his daughter announced, sitting up a little taller though her bloodshot eyes were still pitiful and glistening with potential tears.
Yuuri smiled at her, full of pride, and looked around the room. "So, Wolfram said you were on chapter eight already? Do you think you could read it to me or are you too tired now?"
"Greta can read it!"
"Let's get ready for bed, then, and you can tell me all about the princess and the dragon and the lying spell."
Greta slid off the bed and hurried to change while Yuuri took his time, pulling out the folded blue pajamas from his drawers and thinking of their pink frilled counterpart no longer to be seen beneath the green duvet together. He wondered if Wolfram wore feminine night clothes for his husband too and immediately though better of such thoughts, hoping to drive away the mental image with tales of fantasy. In books, at least, there was always a happy ending.
- 5
- 6
- 7
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A Marriage of State