Suitors - Chapter 06: The Longest Night Part II
Title: Suitors - (Chapter 06: The Longest Night Part II)
Author: batty_gal a.k.a Tetra26
Rating: T
Fandom: Kyou Kara Maou
Pairing: Wolfram x ???
Word Count: 5523
Fic Type: Ongoing
Fic Summary: After Wolfram ended his engagement in a fit of rage, suitors from all around started to flock to the castle to seek his hand - much to Gwendal's dismay. Who will capture his heart? A random noble? Murata? Yozak? And, what about Yuuri? Sequel to 1 Up.
Chapter Summary: Part two of what seems to be the longest night ever continues as Yozak lies. Beautifully. Several POV changes in this chapter.
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Prequel: 1 Up: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Suitors - Chapter 06: The Longest Night Part II
“Maybe you should not go to the ball, and stay here. You do not look very well at all,” Shinou said, concerned about Murata's sickly appearance.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this night for anything,” Murata said, fumbling with the clasp on his formal jacket. “Wolfram and Shibuya, stuck in a room with hundreds of suitors - and the many ways it could all go wrong. I would pay money to see it if they charged!”
More than anything, Murata wanted to see if he would win his bet with Yozak on whether Yuuri would figure him out. He had a good amount of money on Yuuri not figuring it out unless he were told, while Yozak gave Yuuri enough credit to figure him out on his own. The outcome would be interesting.
He grabbed a handkerchief off his dresser, and blotted his forehead with it. Ever since the night prior, which he had spent talking with Wolfram, he had not felt well at all. After wiping the sweat from his forehead, he tossed the cloth back to where he had grabbed it from. As he started to step away from the dresser, his vision doubled, and he had to clench at its edge in order to keep his balance.
“It won't do you any good if you are too sick to enjoy the festivities.”
“It's not doing me any good that you are mothering me.”
“Fine then. Go and faint while dancing, then throw up on Lord Weller's chest when he lifts you up to bring you back here.”
“Well, I guess that just means no dancing, then. I'm still going.”
“Your health,” Shinou said, shrugging.
“Wolfram, you are so very tense,” Yozak whispered in Wolfram's ear. “Relax if you want this to look natural.”
“I'm sorry, I'm just not feeling very well,” Wolfram whispered back.
The two of them had not been there for long, but they had went straight to the dance floor upon their arrival. Yozak knew that there was no way they could dance the entire time, though. Eventually, they would have to take a break.
And then, the questions would come. Questions about his heritage, family, his past, and everything else under the sun. Yozak wasn't worried about it, however. He had his routine down pat, he had used it so much.
He was worried about Wolfram, however. As calm and collected he had been in their previous games with each other, he just wasn't so this time around. Yozak thought that he might crack at any minute, and it puzzled him.
He wondered if it was because Wolfram was so very stressed out. The tenseness in his body just seemed abnormal for Wolfram, especially considering that the last time they had been in that position, he had been completely relaxed.
It had to be the stress, or the tiredness. Maybe if Wolfram had a drink, it would ease him a little.
“I think we should pause here for awhile. Grab a drink and calm down,” he whispered to Wolfram.
“I'm not ready to stop dancing just yet.”
Yozak looked down at him, and nodded. “Very well, but relax. We're only as believable as couple as how we act together as one,” he said.
He suddenly twirled Wolfram around on impulse, and was delighted when he saw the pensive look flee his face. When he pulled him back into his arms, he noted that Wolfram's body was much more relaxed than it had been.
“Every thing will be fine, Wolfram,” he said. “Trust me.”
“You're right, and I do,” Wolfram replied, giving him a small smile.
“If they play a sexy number, we'll make them all blush and do the forbidden mazoku waltz,” Yozak joked.
“I don't think Gwendal could take it. I can tell he has figured us out. His eyebrows are about to twitch entirely off his face, march over here, and beat us both down,” Wolfram said in an amused tone.
“His Highness is staring at us. It's probably because of how close I'm holding you against me. I think he likes you,” Yozak said, and pulled Wolfram even closer to him for emphasis. He wanted to laugh at how wide both Murata and Yuuri's eyes went due to the gesture.
“Maybe he's staring because he likes you, instead?”
“Right. His Majesty is giving me interesting looks, as well. He still hasn't figured out who I am yet, however.”
“Yuuri is giving you interesting looks? Why?”
Yozak laughed. “So it's your turn to play the dense one, hmm?”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all. Just don't make the same mistake he did,” Yozak said. He decided not to expand on the subject when Wolfram raised his eyebrow.
Yozak was fairly certain that His Majesty's feelings about Wolfram were far more complex than Wolfram thought. Why else was he peeking at Wolfram around corners and trying to shadow him?
He didn't buy the Maou's excuses for showing up around them one bit. Initially he had thought that perhaps Yuuri had caught on to their game at one point, but quickly dismissed the theory. Something told him that Yuuri was less onto their game, and more onto the idea that perhaps there was actually something going on romantically between him and Wolfram.
He chuckled at the thought of him and Wolfram together. There was no match for him odder than that one, aside from, perhaps, him and Günter. Thinking about either possibility caused him to laugh a bit louder.
“What are you laughing about?” Wolfram whispered to him.
“Nothing much, just thinking that if you and I were really a couple, it would be an odd match,” he said.
Yozak almost stumbled when he saw Wolfram's face, for it almost seemed disappointed.
“Yes, I suppose it would be,” Wolfram said quietly, and Yozak noticed that his expression changed to a distant one. He also did not miss that his dance partner's body had tensed again.
It worried him. Could it be that Wolfram actually liked him like that?
No.
Yozak dismissed the idea. He thought that maybe Wolfram was thinking about something completely different.
Then again, a few weeks back during a drinking session, Conrart had asked him whether or not he had feelings for Wolfram. At the time, he had laughed so hard he had fallen off his chair. He had asked his best friend how he come up with the notion, but all he had received was that damned knowing smile of his.
He looked down at his dance partner, who had relaxed once more. He sincerely hoped that Wolfram would find someone who could make him happy, but he did not think he could be the one that could do so - nor did he feel that they were suited to each other.
No matter how nice it felt to have him in his arms.
“Your Majesty, are you sure you would not like to dance with me?” a young woman asked.
“I apologize, but I don't really feel like dancing tonight,” Yuuri said, brushing yet another person off. Many people had come to where he stood and asked to dance, but he was not interested.
He was too busy eyeballing Wolfram's date and trying to figure out why he seemed so familiar to him.
Yuuri recognized him as the man he had seen dancing with Wolfram before at another ball, but something inside of him believed that he knew the man from elsewhere. He kept going over all the events he could remember and people he had met, hoping that something would jog his memory.
Plus, not only that, but he was also dismayed to find out that the more he stared at Wolfram's date, the more inadequate he felt in comparison to the stunning man.
“Why are you standing over here all alone, Your Majesty? Why don't you dance with my daughter?” a man asked.
“I'm sorry, but I'm feeling a little sick,” he said. “Maybe next time?”
He watched as they walked off, and sighed when he noticed yet another person approaching him from the corner of his eye.
He wished he had the same idea as Wolfram to bring a date. Any date would have done the job, even if it were just Yozak in a dress. He suspected that Wolfram's idea to bring a date was not because he found the man interesting, but in order to keep the suitors from bombarding him.
At least, he hoped that was Wolfram's motive.
He looked over to the person approaching him, ready to reject yet another dance offer. He paused before he could say anything, surprised by who the person was.
“It has been a while, Your Majesty! How are you doing?” the newcomer greeted him, cheerfully.
“You!”
Conrart Weller was patient when it came to many things. Keeping calm when Yuuri got himself into disastrous situations. Pulling Yozak off of the morons who loved to grope him regardless of whether he was dressed as a man or woman. Dealing with Wolfram whenever he went out of his way to be so very. Damned. Difficult.
Listening to Doris von Karbelnikoff drone on and on about her perfect son was not one of those things, however.
“Well, I'll leave you two to talk then,” he said, ignoring Gwendal's astronomical glare. Gwendal was on his own on this matter. It wasn't like Doris really wanted to talk to him anyhow, since he was certain she planned on appealing to Gwendal about Wolfram on her son's behalf.
He felt Gwendal's eyes burning holes in his back as he walked off, which made it all the more amusing to him.
Conrart aimlessly made his way around the room, nodding and smiling at those who bothered to acknowledge him. He had never felt particularly welcome in that sort of atmosphere, especially not before Yuuri had come along and brought the mazoku and humans - and those like him in between - all together.
Still, he could not help but think that a lot of those smiles directed towards him were just as fake as the ones he flashed back. It angered him that - since he and Wolfram were now on good terms - these people saw him as a stepping stone towards his brother's heart (and status).
Get in good with the brothers, get in good with Wolfram.
He sighed upon thinking about it all, and grabbed a glass of water from the closest table. He would not bother with alcohol at this event, in case something went wrong - and with Herschel in the room, something was bound to.
He also could not shake the feeling that something even more bothersome than that was coming, and hoped that Yozak and Wolfram's scheme did not blow up in their faces. So far, everyone other than Gwendal, Murata, and himself were oblivious to what they were doing.
He was amused by the bits and pieces of conversation that he managed to overhear on the “couple”. The minute Yozak and Wolfram parted from their dance, both of them were going to have to deal with a torrent of questions. Conrart wasn't worried about that, however. Yozak's performance and contrived background history were flawless, and Wolfram himself was a very meticulous planner when he wanted to be. If Yozak was indeed revealed, he was pretty certain that he and Wolfram had at least two or three contingency plans that would save them both.
Just like he and Yozak used to have when they'd have to come up with some sort of scheme.
His last thought made him stop mid-step. He and Yozak used to get into so much together - sometimes for important matters, and sometimes purely for their own amusement. They had so much fun together before everything went all to pieces.
Before he went all to pieces.
He sighed, and drained his water glass. There was no point in brooding about it again; he was what he was.
After approaching a section of the room that was fairly uncluttered with people, he leaned against the wall and decided to simply take in the atmosphere. The dancing was well under way, and Kord's beautiful voice rang out as the orchestra played softly behind him. He listened to the mournful lyrics about a man in love with someone unobtainable, somewhat disturbed that the words mirrored parts of his own life.
When that particular song ended, Conrart turned his attention to Murata, who was mirroring his pose against the opposite wall. He thought the Sage looked somewhat ill but nevertheless attentive, and tried to determine just what he was looking at.
He was less than shocked when he noticed that his sights were set on Wolfram and Yozak. He had long noticed that Murata's interest in Wolfram were more than passing. However, he was unsure of what that interest fully consisted of.
After staring for a few moments longer, he sighed and looked across the sea of people in the direction of the Maou. He was amused to find that Yuuri was looking at the same two people as Murata, but once again was not shocked by it all. He had the same suspicions about Yuuri that he did with Murata, due to how strangely Yuuri had been acting for quite some time.
Conrart was not sure of the extent of those interests, but he thought that - whatever they may be - it was something Yuuri needed to figure out on his own, and he suspected that this entire event might very well cause it to happen..
He wondered if that was his mother's intention, to get Yuuri to figure things out. If so, he was worried that it might very well backfire, especially if Yuuri's feelings were not deeper than either curiosity, confusion, or a slight crush. Not only that, there was also Wolfram. Although his little brother was not fully over Yuuri (no matter how much he insisted he was), he was also no longer fully into him either.
Upon thinking about his mother and her motives for the night, he sought her out, and was surprised to find she was not even there. Maybe she really did want Wolfram and Yuuri to find happiness - and not necessarily with each other. Still, he could not believe she was not there to manipulate the situation.
His mother was what she was.
Günter was at his wit's end, and the ball had not even lasted an hour yet. Between having to keep various people from killing Gwendal's cousin, Herschel, and having to prevent Herschel's untimely death by his own hand, he was ready to call it a night.
“I know what you're thinking,” Herschel whispered in his ear.
He did not bother to prevent himself from groaning out loud. “Somehow, I do not think you do,” he answered.
“You're thinking about me, aren't you?”
Günter, utterly annoyed by Herschel, answered him snidely. “Yes. In fact, I am thinking about you. I'm thinking about thrusting you clear across the country with my maryoku.”
“Heh. Thrusting,” Herschel said, unfazed by the threat.
Günter sighed. Herschel was one of those people who would not take a hint, even if you spelled it out to him. The man had selective hearing; he only heard what he wanted to hear.
“You know, I had a dream last night,” Herschel said.
“I do not care,” Günter said, monotonously.
“I dreamed about you and me, lying on a blanket, a field of lavender surrounding us-”
“And my hair fell in my eyes, and you gently brushed it behind my ear. Our eyes locked together, and you knew I was the one for you, and you for me, for now and forever,” Günter finished. “I know, I heard you use that line on Ollie von Gyllenhaal.
“He means nothing to me, darling,” Herschel said, flippantly. “I only said it to him to cheer him up since he looked so downtrodden over Wolfram already having a date. You know you're the only one for me... well, you and your daughter. You know, since she's not actually a blood relative of yours - I think you, me and she could live and love together quite nicely. ”
“Herschel...” Günter started, but stopped as he observed Doris talking to Gwendal. He locked eyes with Gwendal, who looked at him helplessly.
Herschel continued to ramble on. “Plus, it's not like there aren't rumors about you being into the threesome thing. I've always wondered about you, Anissina and Gwendal myself. All those times alone in that lab together. You can not convince me you haven't taken one or both of them up against the wall a few times-”
“Herschel, for the love of Shinou, shut your mouth!” Günter hissed, cutting him off. “Now, I'm about to go over rescue Gwendal from a conversation that I'm certain he isn't enjoying having. If you do not leave me alone, I will make sure that, upon freeing him from the grasp of Doris, he comes over here and deals with you personally. Do you understand?”
He watched as Herschel shrank back.
“Alright, alright, I'll be on my best behavior. Sheesh,” Herschel said, exasperatedly. “This is truly shaping up to be a horrible night. Gisela has a date, you are too busy keeping tabs on your lovers, and Wolfram shows up with the most handsome man in the room. I'm feeling a sense of loneliness here. I also feel unwelcome, as if there's no place in this world where I belong.”
Günter - who had been ready to make good on his threat - was startled by the last remark. Herschel actually looked lonely, his shoulders slumped and his eyes to the ground. He was about to apologize, but noticed that Gwendal still had a “save me” look on his face.
“I have to go deal with Gwendal,” Günter said.
“I see,” Herschel replied. Günter watched him turn, his smile much dimmer than before. He felt regretful for his words, but any apologies would have to come after he dealt with Gwendal. He turned away from Herschel's retreating back and started to make his way over to Gwendal. He rolled his eyes, and disregarded his prior feelings of guilt as he heard Herschel's loud voice addressing someone else behind him.
“You know, I dreamed about you last night. I dreamed you and I were on a blanket in a field - with roses surrounding us...”
Yuuri stared at the person who had approached him, shocked.
“Surprised to see me, Your Majesty?” Elizabeth said, cheerfully. “It's been quite some time, right?”
“Ye... yes! It has!” Yuuri said, stuttering. He had not expected for her to show up, but was pleasantly surprised. She was as beautiful as ever, he mentally noted. And, she really was a girl.
He filed that thought away for later. He would not hesitate to pull it out as a defense for his straightness.
“What brings you here? Are you here to pursue Wolfram, too?” he questioned.
“Maybe I'm here to pursue you,” she said, smirking.
“You mean, like last time?” he said, before he could stop himself. He was glad when she did not take offense, and laughed instead.
“I suppose I deserve that! I'm still sorry about that whole event, Your Majesty,” Elizabeth said.
“It's fine, and I'm sorry for bringing it up,” he replied.
“Why are you over here by yourself? Isn't this event supposed to be about finding you a mate?”
Yuuri groaned at the reminder. “I had nothing to do with that invitation! That was all Lady Cheri's doing.”
“So you aren't looking for someone?”
“Not really.”
“I see. These poor women in here are going to be disappointed upon learning this.”
“There seems to be plenty of available men here willing to pick up my slack,” Yuuri said, watching as Herschel was turned down yet again.
“Not every woman is completely interested in men, though,” Elizabeth said, motioning towards where two ladies were dancing together.
“I suppose you're right, sorry,” Yuuri said. Even though he acknowledged that relationships that were rare from where he came were abundant here, he still had not changed that his mind defaulted to heterosexuality.
“Wolfram seems to be doing fine,” she said, softly.
“Yeah.”
Both he and Elizabeth chose that moment to sigh. They then looked at each other, and laughed.
“You amuse me. Mind if I just stand over here with you?” she asked.
“I don't mind, but I do not understand why you aren't out there? There's plenty of people with their eyes on you, male and female.”
“I'm not up to pushing people's hands off of me tonight, if you know what I mean.”
“Ah, I see.”
Yuuri was about to move over so that she could fit up against the wall beside him, but noticed that Wolfram and the mystery man had ceased dancing and were at the refreshment table, with several guests surrounding them.
“Come on, let's get closer to them!” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her off with him.
He wanted to know just who this man was, and why Wolfram looked at him with so much adoration.
Wolfram marveled at how Yozak lied so effortlessly when being questioned.
“Where do you hail from, Loring?” a fellow from Gyllenhaal territories asked.
“The outskirts of Karbelnikoff,” Yozak replied, smiling brightly.
“Oh really, I grew up in that area and I do not remember seeing you,” another man, clearly jealous, responded.
“I was raised by my Uncle Harkott after my parents died, and since he was a recluse I was pretty much restricted to the home.”
“I see. How did you study, then?” yet another of the suitors asked. Wolfram remembered running him off once, and thought he was fairly bold to show his face around him again.
“My uncle was a highly intelligent man, so I was schooled at home.”
“But what do you do for a living?”
“I'm an artist. Since my uncle is so very well-off, I'm able to travel and paint the many sceneries that I come across.”
“That's interesting, I'm an art collector and I've never heard of your art.”
“Well, to be honest - by the time I complete a piece, I'm far too in love with it to sell it. When I do love, I love hard,” he said, looking lovingly at Wolfram.
Wolfram had to prevent himself from keeling over from laughter. No matter what the question, Yozak had anticipated an answer for it.
From the long, completely fabricated story as to how they met, to the mentions of his ”uncle”, who was only a rich and reclusive old man who was grateful that Yozak had saved him many years prior, the lies came as fast as lightning.
And the best part was that everyone who was unaware as to who Yozak really was, were fooled.
Wolfram finally allowed himself to let out a sigh of relief. It did not look like anyone would recognize Yozak for who he really was, which would definitely cause a storm.
The best part, however, was that even after the night was over - he would have “Kelby Loring” as an excuse to reject anyone who attempted to pursue him. If anyone tried to do any research on Kelby, they would come up with old Harkott Loring of Karbelnikoff. No one would dare try to go to his house to confirm any of Yozak's lies; the man was rumored to be meaner than a ten-headed dragon. Even if they did attempt such, Harkott would only play along since Yozak was so special to him.
As people continued to fire their questions at Yozak, he took the time to scan the room.
His mother had not appeared, he noted. He wondered if she was sick, because he suspected that was the only way she would miss this event. He had to remind himself that the ball wasn't even halfway over, though. She still had time to show up and meddle. He wasn't worried, however, because he and Yozak had several backup plans in case something went wrong.
He looked over at Yuuri, and saw that he was chatting with Elizabeth. It bothered him far more than he wanted it to. He drained his wine glass, which probably was not very much of a good idea considering he was still feeling queasy.
He looked away from Yuuri and Elizabeth, but not before noticing how stunning she looked. She was so radiant, possibly more so than any other woman in the room. A part of him wished that they truly had ended up together, but he would always see her as a friend rather than a lover. Which - he noted wryly - is what Yuuri would always see him as.
Get what you give.
Still, if Yuuri had to end up with a girl, Elizabeth was by far the best one for him. Plus, unlike the majority of the women pursuing Yuuri, he was certain she would never go after the Maou because of his status. He mentally made a vow to himself to approach her and give his support, especially since she had given him her support even in the face of heartbreak.
Wolfram was jolted out of his thoughts about Yuuri and Elizabeth when Kord von Karbelnikoff started performing another song - one that was among his favorites. He looked over to where Kord stood, and saw that Kord was staring at him.
He groaned underneath his breath. Undoubtedly, Kord's mother was probably pressing Kord to pursue him. He turned away, ready to pull Yozak away from the inquisition, and noticed that Yuuri and Elizabeth were now standing nearby, listening to Yozak.
Wolfram was highly amused at how Yuuri seemed to be studying Yozak meticulously, and wondered if he would ever figure it out. He had not bothered with the bet between Yozak and Murata, but he could not wait to see which one was the victor. He loved it when Yozak or Murata gloated after winning a bet against the other. The loser would get so indignant, while the winner would become so childish while taunting the loser after winning.
He had not been shocked to find out that Murata had been onto him the entire time during the Saralegui event considering that, well, he was the Sage. Not much got past him, which was unfortunate when he wanted to discuss things that Wolfram had no intentions of getting into. Especially if the conversation involved certain people.
“Lord von Voltaire, do you approve of this Loring man?” a man asked, interrupting Wolfram's thoughts.
He whipped his head back around and stared at Gwendal, who looked put on the spot.
“I really am not concerned with my brother's love life,” Gwendal said, quickly.
“Then why were you running everyone off who tried to pursue him?” another man asked.
“That was different,” Gwendal said, staring at him. Wolfram swallowed hard. He knew that Gwendal was going to give him - and possibly Yozak - an hours-long lecture really soon.
“How so?” the same man asked, boldly.
“None of them were worthy of his time,” Gwendal said, dismissively.
“Are you saying that Loring here is worthy of Wolfram? This guy we know so little about, who seems to live off of someone else's wealth?”
It just so happened that Adelbert was passing by with Gisela, and heard the man's snide remarks.
“Isn't that what the most of you have done all your lives? Live off of someone else's wealth? You can hardly get upset at this man for doing so,” Adelbert said, gruffly, surprising Wolfram.
“Besides, if Wolfram likes him - that's all that really counts,” Gisela added.
“That's true,” the guy that had first questioned Gwendal said.
As he watched how the suitors seemed to be resigned that they would get nowhere with him, Wolfram mentally thanked Adelbert and Gisela for the unwitting assistance. Still, several others started to ask more questions, more so out of curiosity than jealousy.
When Wolfram thought Yozak had been on the spot long enough, he walked over and gently grabbed him by the arm. “If you'll excuse us, I'd like to go back to dancing with Kelby. It's so very rare that I get to see him, so I'd rather we spend it in close proximity.”
He caught a glance at Gwendal's face, and knew that he and Yozak would have something to laugh about for months to come. He pulled Yozak back towards the dance floor, mentally celebrating their victory.
Several moments after Wolfram started dancing again with the “Kelby Loring” man, Yuuri still could not stop staring at them. He was so far into his thoughts about the man that he had all but forgotten Elizabeth, who was standing beside him.
“I think they make a nice couple, what do you think?” Elizabeth asked, interrupting his thoughts.
“Why do you think that?” he asked.
“Well, he seems like a nice man. He's charming, and seems very refined and intelligent. Also, it helps that he's very handsome,” she said.
Yuuri once again found himself comparing the man's qualities and looks with his own. He was coming up short, he sadly noted.
“Plus, the way I figure it, if Wolfram can not have you he at least deserves someone like that, right?”
“What makes you think Wolfram will end up with him?” he asked, and noted that he sounded way too defensive for someone who should be supportive of the potential happiness of someone who was just a friend. He ignored the part of his mind that nagged him about his epiphany of himself not even an hour prior.
“I never said that he would end up with him, Your Majesty. I just think that he might make a good mate for Wolfram. Besides, Wolfram seems to be into him.”
Even he could not deny that. Wolfram had looked at the Loring man as if he were a hero to him of sorts.
Or maybe a lover.
“I still do wonder if he's over you, however,” Elizabeth said. “Even now, when he glanced over at you, there was an expression there that I can't find the words to describe.”
Yuuri was stunned by the idea that Wolfram might not be over him, and felt faint. He stumbled back a little, bumping into someone behind him.
“Watch where you're going, you idiot,” a woman's voice rang out. He turned around, and was met with a woman that he was certain had been alive since Shinou's original time.
“I'm sorry, Grandmother,” he apologized, bowing slightly.
“Who are you calling Grandmother? I'm no one's grandmother, you horse's ass!” the old woman said, shaking her cane at him.
The girl beside her gasped. “Auntie! Don't you realize that's the Maou? You just cursed at the Maou! I'll never get a chance with him now,” the girl moaned.
Yuuri thought that she would not have had a chance regardless of that.
“As if you had a chance with him anyhow!” the old woman exclaimed, echoing his thoughts. “I know who he is, everyone knows who he is! I've been watching him all this time, and his eyes have been on Lord von Bielefeld ever since that young man and his date set foot in the door!”
“Auntie!”
“Don't 'Auntie' me! It's true!” the old woman said. She glared at Yuuri, and he shrank back a little. She pointed her cane directly at his chest. “You should just re-propose to him and cut out these shenanigans! Hmrph! Got me and all these other women in this ball thinking that they actually have a chance with you! I knew I should not have worn my best dress! What a waste of time!”
Yuuri watched her hobble off, with her mortified niece in tow. He turned back to Elizabeth, took one look at her scandalized face, and started laughing. After a few seconds, she joined in.
“This is going to be one long night, isn't it?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
The two continued to snicker, their eyes following the old lady as she violently cleared a path towards the exit with her cane.
Just as she was about to exit, the doorway was blocked. Any humor he had felt moments prior drained away when he noticed who had arrived.
It was Lady Cheri, and her arm was linked with who was perhaps the last person he wanted to show up at this already-maddening event.
King Saralegui.
Author's note: This is the re-edited version of this chapter. Just a few grammatical changes, plus Conrad to Conrart. Next chapter: Wolfram and Saralegui's game resumes!
Author: batty_gal a.k.a Tetra26
Rating: T
Fandom: Kyou Kara Maou
Pairing: Wolfram x ???
Word Count: 5523
Fic Type: Ongoing
Fic Summary: After Wolfram ended his engagement in a fit of rage, suitors from all around started to flock to the castle to seek his hand - much to Gwendal's dismay. Who will capture his heart? A random noble? Murata? Yozak? And, what about Yuuri? Sequel to 1 Up.
Chapter Summary: Part two of what seems to be the longest night ever continues as Yozak lies. Beautifully. Several POV changes in this chapter.
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Prequel: 1 Up: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Suitors - Chapter 06: The Longest Night Part II
“Maybe you should not go to the ball, and stay here. You do not look very well at all,” Shinou said, concerned about Murata's sickly appearance.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this night for anything,” Murata said, fumbling with the clasp on his formal jacket. “Wolfram and Shibuya, stuck in a room with hundreds of suitors - and the many ways it could all go wrong. I would pay money to see it if they charged!”
More than anything, Murata wanted to see if he would win his bet with Yozak on whether Yuuri would figure him out. He had a good amount of money on Yuuri not figuring it out unless he were told, while Yozak gave Yuuri enough credit to figure him out on his own. The outcome would be interesting.
He grabbed a handkerchief off his dresser, and blotted his forehead with it. Ever since the night prior, which he had spent talking with Wolfram, he had not felt well at all. After wiping the sweat from his forehead, he tossed the cloth back to where he had grabbed it from. As he started to step away from the dresser, his vision doubled, and he had to clench at its edge in order to keep his balance.
“It won't do you any good if you are too sick to enjoy the festivities.”
“It's not doing me any good that you are mothering me.”
“Fine then. Go and faint while dancing, then throw up on Lord Weller's chest when he lifts you up to bring you back here.”
“Well, I guess that just means no dancing, then. I'm still going.”
“Your health,” Shinou said, shrugging.
“Wolfram, you are so very tense,” Yozak whispered in Wolfram's ear. “Relax if you want this to look natural.”
“I'm sorry, I'm just not feeling very well,” Wolfram whispered back.
The two of them had not been there for long, but they had went straight to the dance floor upon their arrival. Yozak knew that there was no way they could dance the entire time, though. Eventually, they would have to take a break.
And then, the questions would come. Questions about his heritage, family, his past, and everything else under the sun. Yozak wasn't worried about it, however. He had his routine down pat, he had used it so much.
He was worried about Wolfram, however. As calm and collected he had been in their previous games with each other, he just wasn't so this time around. Yozak thought that he might crack at any minute, and it puzzled him.
He wondered if it was because Wolfram was so very stressed out. The tenseness in his body just seemed abnormal for Wolfram, especially considering that the last time they had been in that position, he had been completely relaxed.
It had to be the stress, or the tiredness. Maybe if Wolfram had a drink, it would ease him a little.
“I think we should pause here for awhile. Grab a drink and calm down,” he whispered to Wolfram.
“I'm not ready to stop dancing just yet.”
Yozak looked down at him, and nodded. “Very well, but relax. We're only as believable as couple as how we act together as one,” he said.
He suddenly twirled Wolfram around on impulse, and was delighted when he saw the pensive look flee his face. When he pulled him back into his arms, he noted that Wolfram's body was much more relaxed than it had been.
“Every thing will be fine, Wolfram,” he said. “Trust me.”
“You're right, and I do,” Wolfram replied, giving him a small smile.
“If they play a sexy number, we'll make them all blush and do the forbidden mazoku waltz,” Yozak joked.
“I don't think Gwendal could take it. I can tell he has figured us out. His eyebrows are about to twitch entirely off his face, march over here, and beat us both down,” Wolfram said in an amused tone.
“His Highness is staring at us. It's probably because of how close I'm holding you against me. I think he likes you,” Yozak said, and pulled Wolfram even closer to him for emphasis. He wanted to laugh at how wide both Murata and Yuuri's eyes went due to the gesture.
“Maybe he's staring because he likes you, instead?”
“Right. His Majesty is giving me interesting looks, as well. He still hasn't figured out who I am yet, however.”
“Yuuri is giving you interesting looks? Why?”
Yozak laughed. “So it's your turn to play the dense one, hmm?”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all. Just don't make the same mistake he did,” Yozak said. He decided not to expand on the subject when Wolfram raised his eyebrow.
Yozak was fairly certain that His Majesty's feelings about Wolfram were far more complex than Wolfram thought. Why else was he peeking at Wolfram around corners and trying to shadow him?
He didn't buy the Maou's excuses for showing up around them one bit. Initially he had thought that perhaps Yuuri had caught on to their game at one point, but quickly dismissed the theory. Something told him that Yuuri was less onto their game, and more onto the idea that perhaps there was actually something going on romantically between him and Wolfram.
He chuckled at the thought of him and Wolfram together. There was no match for him odder than that one, aside from, perhaps, him and Günter. Thinking about either possibility caused him to laugh a bit louder.
“What are you laughing about?” Wolfram whispered to him.
“Nothing much, just thinking that if you and I were really a couple, it would be an odd match,” he said.
Yozak almost stumbled when he saw Wolfram's face, for it almost seemed disappointed.
“Yes, I suppose it would be,” Wolfram said quietly, and Yozak noticed that his expression changed to a distant one. He also did not miss that his dance partner's body had tensed again.
It worried him. Could it be that Wolfram actually liked him like that?
No.
Yozak dismissed the idea. He thought that maybe Wolfram was thinking about something completely different.
Then again, a few weeks back during a drinking session, Conrart had asked him whether or not he had feelings for Wolfram. At the time, he had laughed so hard he had fallen off his chair. He had asked his best friend how he come up with the notion, but all he had received was that damned knowing smile of his.
He looked down at his dance partner, who had relaxed once more. He sincerely hoped that Wolfram would find someone who could make him happy, but he did not think he could be the one that could do so - nor did he feel that they were suited to each other.
No matter how nice it felt to have him in his arms.
“Your Majesty, are you sure you would not like to dance with me?” a young woman asked.
“I apologize, but I don't really feel like dancing tonight,” Yuuri said, brushing yet another person off. Many people had come to where he stood and asked to dance, but he was not interested.
He was too busy eyeballing Wolfram's date and trying to figure out why he seemed so familiar to him.
Yuuri recognized him as the man he had seen dancing with Wolfram before at another ball, but something inside of him believed that he knew the man from elsewhere. He kept going over all the events he could remember and people he had met, hoping that something would jog his memory.
Plus, not only that, but he was also dismayed to find out that the more he stared at Wolfram's date, the more inadequate he felt in comparison to the stunning man.
“Why are you standing over here all alone, Your Majesty? Why don't you dance with my daughter?” a man asked.
“I'm sorry, but I'm feeling a little sick,” he said. “Maybe next time?”
He watched as they walked off, and sighed when he noticed yet another person approaching him from the corner of his eye.
He wished he had the same idea as Wolfram to bring a date. Any date would have done the job, even if it were just Yozak in a dress. He suspected that Wolfram's idea to bring a date was not because he found the man interesting, but in order to keep the suitors from bombarding him.
At least, he hoped that was Wolfram's motive.
He looked over to the person approaching him, ready to reject yet another dance offer. He paused before he could say anything, surprised by who the person was.
“It has been a while, Your Majesty! How are you doing?” the newcomer greeted him, cheerfully.
“You!”
Conrart Weller was patient when it came to many things. Keeping calm when Yuuri got himself into disastrous situations. Pulling Yozak off of the morons who loved to grope him regardless of whether he was dressed as a man or woman. Dealing with Wolfram whenever he went out of his way to be so very. Damned. Difficult.
Listening to Doris von Karbelnikoff drone on and on about her perfect son was not one of those things, however.
“Well, I'll leave you two to talk then,” he said, ignoring Gwendal's astronomical glare. Gwendal was on his own on this matter. It wasn't like Doris really wanted to talk to him anyhow, since he was certain she planned on appealing to Gwendal about Wolfram on her son's behalf.
He felt Gwendal's eyes burning holes in his back as he walked off, which made it all the more amusing to him.
Conrart aimlessly made his way around the room, nodding and smiling at those who bothered to acknowledge him. He had never felt particularly welcome in that sort of atmosphere, especially not before Yuuri had come along and brought the mazoku and humans - and those like him in between - all together.
Still, he could not help but think that a lot of those smiles directed towards him were just as fake as the ones he flashed back. It angered him that - since he and Wolfram were now on good terms - these people saw him as a stepping stone towards his brother's heart (and status).
Get in good with the brothers, get in good with Wolfram.
He sighed upon thinking about it all, and grabbed a glass of water from the closest table. He would not bother with alcohol at this event, in case something went wrong - and with Herschel in the room, something was bound to.
He also could not shake the feeling that something even more bothersome than that was coming, and hoped that Yozak and Wolfram's scheme did not blow up in their faces. So far, everyone other than Gwendal, Murata, and himself were oblivious to what they were doing.
He was amused by the bits and pieces of conversation that he managed to overhear on the “couple”. The minute Yozak and Wolfram parted from their dance, both of them were going to have to deal with a torrent of questions. Conrart wasn't worried about that, however. Yozak's performance and contrived background history were flawless, and Wolfram himself was a very meticulous planner when he wanted to be. If Yozak was indeed revealed, he was pretty certain that he and Wolfram had at least two or three contingency plans that would save them both.
Just like he and Yozak used to have when they'd have to come up with some sort of scheme.
His last thought made him stop mid-step. He and Yozak used to get into so much together - sometimes for important matters, and sometimes purely for their own amusement. They had so much fun together before everything went all to pieces.
Before he went all to pieces.
He sighed, and drained his water glass. There was no point in brooding about it again; he was what he was.
After approaching a section of the room that was fairly uncluttered with people, he leaned against the wall and decided to simply take in the atmosphere. The dancing was well under way, and Kord's beautiful voice rang out as the orchestra played softly behind him. He listened to the mournful lyrics about a man in love with someone unobtainable, somewhat disturbed that the words mirrored parts of his own life.
When that particular song ended, Conrart turned his attention to Murata, who was mirroring his pose against the opposite wall. He thought the Sage looked somewhat ill but nevertheless attentive, and tried to determine just what he was looking at.
He was less than shocked when he noticed that his sights were set on Wolfram and Yozak. He had long noticed that Murata's interest in Wolfram were more than passing. However, he was unsure of what that interest fully consisted of.
After staring for a few moments longer, he sighed and looked across the sea of people in the direction of the Maou. He was amused to find that Yuuri was looking at the same two people as Murata, but once again was not shocked by it all. He had the same suspicions about Yuuri that he did with Murata, due to how strangely Yuuri had been acting for quite some time.
Conrart was not sure of the extent of those interests, but he thought that - whatever they may be - it was something Yuuri needed to figure out on his own, and he suspected that this entire event might very well cause it to happen..
He wondered if that was his mother's intention, to get Yuuri to figure things out. If so, he was worried that it might very well backfire, especially if Yuuri's feelings were not deeper than either curiosity, confusion, or a slight crush. Not only that, there was also Wolfram. Although his little brother was not fully over Yuuri (no matter how much he insisted he was), he was also no longer fully into him either.
Upon thinking about his mother and her motives for the night, he sought her out, and was surprised to find she was not even there. Maybe she really did want Wolfram and Yuuri to find happiness - and not necessarily with each other. Still, he could not believe she was not there to manipulate the situation.
His mother was what she was.
Günter was at his wit's end, and the ball had not even lasted an hour yet. Between having to keep various people from killing Gwendal's cousin, Herschel, and having to prevent Herschel's untimely death by his own hand, he was ready to call it a night.
“I know what you're thinking,” Herschel whispered in his ear.
He did not bother to prevent himself from groaning out loud. “Somehow, I do not think you do,” he answered.
“You're thinking about me, aren't you?”
Günter, utterly annoyed by Herschel, answered him snidely. “Yes. In fact, I am thinking about you. I'm thinking about thrusting you clear across the country with my maryoku.”
“Heh. Thrusting,” Herschel said, unfazed by the threat.
Günter sighed. Herschel was one of those people who would not take a hint, even if you spelled it out to him. The man had selective hearing; he only heard what he wanted to hear.
“You know, I had a dream last night,” Herschel said.
“I do not care,” Günter said, monotonously.
“I dreamed about you and me, lying on a blanket, a field of lavender surrounding us-”
“And my hair fell in my eyes, and you gently brushed it behind my ear. Our eyes locked together, and you knew I was the one for you, and you for me, for now and forever,” Günter finished. “I know, I heard you use that line on Ollie von Gyllenhaal.
“He means nothing to me, darling,” Herschel said, flippantly. “I only said it to him to cheer him up since he looked so downtrodden over Wolfram already having a date. You know you're the only one for me... well, you and your daughter. You know, since she's not actually a blood relative of yours - I think you, me and she could live and love together quite nicely. ”
“Herschel...” Günter started, but stopped as he observed Doris talking to Gwendal. He locked eyes with Gwendal, who looked at him helplessly.
Herschel continued to ramble on. “Plus, it's not like there aren't rumors about you being into the threesome thing. I've always wondered about you, Anissina and Gwendal myself. All those times alone in that lab together. You can not convince me you haven't taken one or both of them up against the wall a few times-”
“Herschel, for the love of Shinou, shut your mouth!” Günter hissed, cutting him off. “Now, I'm about to go over rescue Gwendal from a conversation that I'm certain he isn't enjoying having. If you do not leave me alone, I will make sure that, upon freeing him from the grasp of Doris, he comes over here and deals with you personally. Do you understand?”
He watched as Herschel shrank back.
“Alright, alright, I'll be on my best behavior. Sheesh,” Herschel said, exasperatedly. “This is truly shaping up to be a horrible night. Gisela has a date, you are too busy keeping tabs on your lovers, and Wolfram shows up with the most handsome man in the room. I'm feeling a sense of loneliness here. I also feel unwelcome, as if there's no place in this world where I belong.”
Günter - who had been ready to make good on his threat - was startled by the last remark. Herschel actually looked lonely, his shoulders slumped and his eyes to the ground. He was about to apologize, but noticed that Gwendal still had a “save me” look on his face.
“I have to go deal with Gwendal,” Günter said.
“I see,” Herschel replied. Günter watched him turn, his smile much dimmer than before. He felt regretful for his words, but any apologies would have to come after he dealt with Gwendal. He turned away from Herschel's retreating back and started to make his way over to Gwendal. He rolled his eyes, and disregarded his prior feelings of guilt as he heard Herschel's loud voice addressing someone else behind him.
“You know, I dreamed about you last night. I dreamed you and I were on a blanket in a field - with roses surrounding us...”
Yuuri stared at the person who had approached him, shocked.
“Surprised to see me, Your Majesty?” Elizabeth said, cheerfully. “It's been quite some time, right?”
“Ye... yes! It has!” Yuuri said, stuttering. He had not expected for her to show up, but was pleasantly surprised. She was as beautiful as ever, he mentally noted. And, she really was a girl.
He filed that thought away for later. He would not hesitate to pull it out as a defense for his straightness.
“What brings you here? Are you here to pursue Wolfram, too?” he questioned.
“Maybe I'm here to pursue you,” she said, smirking.
“You mean, like last time?” he said, before he could stop himself. He was glad when she did not take offense, and laughed instead.
“I suppose I deserve that! I'm still sorry about that whole event, Your Majesty,” Elizabeth said.
“It's fine, and I'm sorry for bringing it up,” he replied.
“Why are you over here by yourself? Isn't this event supposed to be about finding you a mate?”
Yuuri groaned at the reminder. “I had nothing to do with that invitation! That was all Lady Cheri's doing.”
“So you aren't looking for someone?”
“Not really.”
“I see. These poor women in here are going to be disappointed upon learning this.”
“There seems to be plenty of available men here willing to pick up my slack,” Yuuri said, watching as Herschel was turned down yet again.
“Not every woman is completely interested in men, though,” Elizabeth said, motioning towards where two ladies were dancing together.
“I suppose you're right, sorry,” Yuuri said. Even though he acknowledged that relationships that were rare from where he came were abundant here, he still had not changed that his mind defaulted to heterosexuality.
“Wolfram seems to be doing fine,” she said, softly.
“Yeah.”
Both he and Elizabeth chose that moment to sigh. They then looked at each other, and laughed.
“You amuse me. Mind if I just stand over here with you?” she asked.
“I don't mind, but I do not understand why you aren't out there? There's plenty of people with their eyes on you, male and female.”
“I'm not up to pushing people's hands off of me tonight, if you know what I mean.”
“Ah, I see.”
Yuuri was about to move over so that she could fit up against the wall beside him, but noticed that Wolfram and the mystery man had ceased dancing and were at the refreshment table, with several guests surrounding them.
“Come on, let's get closer to them!” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her off with him.
He wanted to know just who this man was, and why Wolfram looked at him with so much adoration.
Wolfram marveled at how Yozak lied so effortlessly when being questioned.
“Where do you hail from, Loring?” a fellow from Gyllenhaal territories asked.
“The outskirts of Karbelnikoff,” Yozak replied, smiling brightly.
“Oh really, I grew up in that area and I do not remember seeing you,” another man, clearly jealous, responded.
“I was raised by my Uncle Harkott after my parents died, and since he was a recluse I was pretty much restricted to the home.”
“I see. How did you study, then?” yet another of the suitors asked. Wolfram remembered running him off once, and thought he was fairly bold to show his face around him again.
“My uncle was a highly intelligent man, so I was schooled at home.”
“But what do you do for a living?”
“I'm an artist. Since my uncle is so very well-off, I'm able to travel and paint the many sceneries that I come across.”
“That's interesting, I'm an art collector and I've never heard of your art.”
“Well, to be honest - by the time I complete a piece, I'm far too in love with it to sell it. When I do love, I love hard,” he said, looking lovingly at Wolfram.
Wolfram had to prevent himself from keeling over from laughter. No matter what the question, Yozak had anticipated an answer for it.
From the long, completely fabricated story as to how they met, to the mentions of his ”uncle”, who was only a rich and reclusive old man who was grateful that Yozak had saved him many years prior, the lies came as fast as lightning.
And the best part was that everyone who was unaware as to who Yozak really was, were fooled.
Wolfram finally allowed himself to let out a sigh of relief. It did not look like anyone would recognize Yozak for who he really was, which would definitely cause a storm.
The best part, however, was that even after the night was over - he would have “Kelby Loring” as an excuse to reject anyone who attempted to pursue him. If anyone tried to do any research on Kelby, they would come up with old Harkott Loring of Karbelnikoff. No one would dare try to go to his house to confirm any of Yozak's lies; the man was rumored to be meaner than a ten-headed dragon. Even if they did attempt such, Harkott would only play along since Yozak was so special to him.
As people continued to fire their questions at Yozak, he took the time to scan the room.
His mother had not appeared, he noted. He wondered if she was sick, because he suspected that was the only way she would miss this event. He had to remind himself that the ball wasn't even halfway over, though. She still had time to show up and meddle. He wasn't worried, however, because he and Yozak had several backup plans in case something went wrong.
He looked over at Yuuri, and saw that he was chatting with Elizabeth. It bothered him far more than he wanted it to. He drained his wine glass, which probably was not very much of a good idea considering he was still feeling queasy.
He looked away from Yuuri and Elizabeth, but not before noticing how stunning she looked. She was so radiant, possibly more so than any other woman in the room. A part of him wished that they truly had ended up together, but he would always see her as a friend rather than a lover. Which - he noted wryly - is what Yuuri would always see him as.
Get what you give.
Still, if Yuuri had to end up with a girl, Elizabeth was by far the best one for him. Plus, unlike the majority of the women pursuing Yuuri, he was certain she would never go after the Maou because of his status. He mentally made a vow to himself to approach her and give his support, especially since she had given him her support even in the face of heartbreak.
Wolfram was jolted out of his thoughts about Yuuri and Elizabeth when Kord von Karbelnikoff started performing another song - one that was among his favorites. He looked over to where Kord stood, and saw that Kord was staring at him.
He groaned underneath his breath. Undoubtedly, Kord's mother was probably pressing Kord to pursue him. He turned away, ready to pull Yozak away from the inquisition, and noticed that Yuuri and Elizabeth were now standing nearby, listening to Yozak.
Wolfram was highly amused at how Yuuri seemed to be studying Yozak meticulously, and wondered if he would ever figure it out. He had not bothered with the bet between Yozak and Murata, but he could not wait to see which one was the victor. He loved it when Yozak or Murata gloated after winning a bet against the other. The loser would get so indignant, while the winner would become so childish while taunting the loser after winning.
He had not been shocked to find out that Murata had been onto him the entire time during the Saralegui event considering that, well, he was the Sage. Not much got past him, which was unfortunate when he wanted to discuss things that Wolfram had no intentions of getting into. Especially if the conversation involved certain people.
“Lord von Voltaire, do you approve of this Loring man?” a man asked, interrupting Wolfram's thoughts.
He whipped his head back around and stared at Gwendal, who looked put on the spot.
“I really am not concerned with my brother's love life,” Gwendal said, quickly.
“Then why were you running everyone off who tried to pursue him?” another man asked.
“That was different,” Gwendal said, staring at him. Wolfram swallowed hard. He knew that Gwendal was going to give him - and possibly Yozak - an hours-long lecture really soon.
“How so?” the same man asked, boldly.
“None of them were worthy of his time,” Gwendal said, dismissively.
“Are you saying that Loring here is worthy of Wolfram? This guy we know so little about, who seems to live off of someone else's wealth?”
It just so happened that Adelbert was passing by with Gisela, and heard the man's snide remarks.
“Isn't that what the most of you have done all your lives? Live off of someone else's wealth? You can hardly get upset at this man for doing so,” Adelbert said, gruffly, surprising Wolfram.
“Besides, if Wolfram likes him - that's all that really counts,” Gisela added.
“That's true,” the guy that had first questioned Gwendal said.
As he watched how the suitors seemed to be resigned that they would get nowhere with him, Wolfram mentally thanked Adelbert and Gisela for the unwitting assistance. Still, several others started to ask more questions, more so out of curiosity than jealousy.
When Wolfram thought Yozak had been on the spot long enough, he walked over and gently grabbed him by the arm. “If you'll excuse us, I'd like to go back to dancing with Kelby. It's so very rare that I get to see him, so I'd rather we spend it in close proximity.”
He caught a glance at Gwendal's face, and knew that he and Yozak would have something to laugh about for months to come. He pulled Yozak back towards the dance floor, mentally celebrating their victory.
Several moments after Wolfram started dancing again with the “Kelby Loring” man, Yuuri still could not stop staring at them. He was so far into his thoughts about the man that he had all but forgotten Elizabeth, who was standing beside him.
“I think they make a nice couple, what do you think?” Elizabeth asked, interrupting his thoughts.
“Why do you think that?” he asked.
“Well, he seems like a nice man. He's charming, and seems very refined and intelligent. Also, it helps that he's very handsome,” she said.
Yuuri once again found himself comparing the man's qualities and looks with his own. He was coming up short, he sadly noted.
“Plus, the way I figure it, if Wolfram can not have you he at least deserves someone like that, right?”
“What makes you think Wolfram will end up with him?” he asked, and noted that he sounded way too defensive for someone who should be supportive of the potential happiness of someone who was just a friend. He ignored the part of his mind that nagged him about his epiphany of himself not even an hour prior.
“I never said that he would end up with him, Your Majesty. I just think that he might make a good mate for Wolfram. Besides, Wolfram seems to be into him.”
Even he could not deny that. Wolfram had looked at the Loring man as if he were a hero to him of sorts.
Or maybe a lover.
“I still do wonder if he's over you, however,” Elizabeth said. “Even now, when he glanced over at you, there was an expression there that I can't find the words to describe.”
Yuuri was stunned by the idea that Wolfram might not be over him, and felt faint. He stumbled back a little, bumping into someone behind him.
“Watch where you're going, you idiot,” a woman's voice rang out. He turned around, and was met with a woman that he was certain had been alive since Shinou's original time.
“I'm sorry, Grandmother,” he apologized, bowing slightly.
“Who are you calling Grandmother? I'm no one's grandmother, you horse's ass!” the old woman said, shaking her cane at him.
The girl beside her gasped. “Auntie! Don't you realize that's the Maou? You just cursed at the Maou! I'll never get a chance with him now,” the girl moaned.
Yuuri thought that she would not have had a chance regardless of that.
“As if you had a chance with him anyhow!” the old woman exclaimed, echoing his thoughts. “I know who he is, everyone knows who he is! I've been watching him all this time, and his eyes have been on Lord von Bielefeld ever since that young man and his date set foot in the door!”
“Auntie!”
“Don't 'Auntie' me! It's true!” the old woman said. She glared at Yuuri, and he shrank back a little. She pointed her cane directly at his chest. “You should just re-propose to him and cut out these shenanigans! Hmrph! Got me and all these other women in this ball thinking that they actually have a chance with you! I knew I should not have worn my best dress! What a waste of time!”
Yuuri watched her hobble off, with her mortified niece in tow. He turned back to Elizabeth, took one look at her scandalized face, and started laughing. After a few seconds, she joined in.
“This is going to be one long night, isn't it?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
The two continued to snicker, their eyes following the old lady as she violently cleared a path towards the exit with her cane.
Just as she was about to exit, the doorway was blocked. Any humor he had felt moments prior drained away when he noticed who had arrived.
It was Lady Cheri, and her arm was linked with who was perhaps the last person he wanted to show up at this already-maddening event.
King Saralegui.
Author's note: This is the re-edited version of this chapter. Just a few grammatical changes, plus Conrad to Conrart. Next chapter: Wolfram and Saralegui's game resumes!