Kyou Kara Maou Fan Fiction ❯ Inexorable Flow ❯ Part 5 ( Chapter 5 )

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), Yuuri x Wolfram. Some other pairings. Angst. Adult topics.

A/N 1: Age: Yuuri - 32. Wolfram…let's say he is about the same age as Yuuri just a little older.

 

Inexorable Flow

 

by chayron (lttomb@yahoo.com), beta-read by Melisenda

 

Part 5

 

Yuuri started as a flash of lightning lit his face. Instinctively, he tried to lift his arm to shield his eyes against the glow, but something was wrong. It appeared to be stuck somewhere. The room lit up again.

 

“Hn?”

 

Yuuri tentatively moved his arm again then jerked on the sofa as the sound caught up with the light. He raised his head to look around the room. This was his and Wolfram's chambers, one of the rooms. He was lying on a sofa. Yuuri turned his head to look at a small table, then to the drawer which his wrist was cuffed to. He started remembering.

 

Yuuri observed a lump lying next to him. Wolfram looked like the cocoon of a bearbee. It seemed he was still asleep. Wincing at the lingering soreness in his lower regions, Yuuri sat up. The room smelled of sex and sperm. He raised his left hand to rub his face then ruffled through his tousled hair. Yesterday Wolfram had gone at it as if there were no tomorrow.

 

Another flash of light lit up the room, then the wave of sound rolled over, shaking the windows. Wolfram shifted slightly but did not wake up. Yuuri looked out of a window. Over the turrets that were blocking most of his view, he could see dark coiling clouds rolling through the sky. It was hard to tell what time of day it was. He turned to look at a grandfather clock against the opposite wall. Already seven in the morning and it was still so dark.

 

So it's that time of the season again, Yuuri thought. Soon the wind would pick up and it would start raining. It would last for about half an hour then it would be over and the sun would come out again. The middle of the summer in Shin Makoku was always like this, the weather drastically changing a few times a day.

 

Yuuri turned away from the windows and reached for the drawer, pulling it out. Holding it in his hands so as not to spill the contents, he got up from the sofa. Yuuri started looking around for his husband's clothes, expecting to find the handcuff key there. Retrieving Wolfram's blue trousers from the floor, he checked the pockets, dropping them next to the blond as the key wasn't there. Yuuri walked over to Wolfram's side and lifted one of the pillows that were scattered all over the sofa. Ah, found it.

 

Yuuri unlocked the cuffs then pushed the drawer back into place and moved the small end table back to its original place. His memory did not reach far, but it was really fun yesterday. And felt good, too.

 

“Yuuri?”

 

Yuuri turned around at the sleepy voice. “Ah, did I wake you up?”

 

Wolfram shifted on the sofa then settled and then moved again.

 

“Yuuri?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Help?” Wolfram asked while squirming in the roll of the cover, not managing to get free.

 

Yuuri grinned. He suddenly pounced onto Wolfram while wrapping his arms around the blond's swaddled sides. “So this is where my helpless kitty is! Meow for me, kitty.”

 

Wolfram blinked up at Yuuri. “Meow. Now help me.”

 

Yuuri burst out laughing then leaned in to give his husband's lips a quick peck. He raised his head to give the blond a bright grin. “You only need a ribbon and you'd seem like a present all wrapped up nicely.” Wolfram moved about again in the cover, and Yuuri's grin brightened as his nose caught a whiff of air. That sheet badly needed washing - Wolfram had practically wrapped himself into his dried sperm.

 

Wolfram squirmed helplessly again. “Listen, will I have to be meowing for the rest of the day to get any help here?” To his best knowledge a cat did not meow but baaa-ed, but if Yuuri insisted…

 

“Nah, but some moaning would be nice.”

 

“I thought I was to be a cat?” Wolfram mumbled, trying to get free on his own as it was obvious that his husband was enjoying the opportunity to make fun of him.

 

Yuuri leaned in to whisper into the blond's ear, “I would not be able to do this with a cat.” He trailed his hand over the cover to squeeze Wolfram's nether regions. “Would I?”

 

Wolfram's lower lip got caught between his teeth, his hips rising instinctively at the rubbing. “Yuuri, I have a horrible headache and I don't feel that well. I suggest you help me out of this stupid cover or I'll soon throw up all over the sofa.”

 

Yuuri let go and straightened over from the blond, his mood spoiled. “Jesus, I hate it when you drink.”

 

“You weren't complaining yesterday.”

 

“But I am today.”

 

Wolfram gave his husband a look telling him that it was the time to stop or they would get into a spat. Yuuri sighed. He helped Wolfram to get free out of the messed cover. His husband's recent indulgence in alcohol was making him quite worried. It was also making him even more suspicious, as Wolfram had never liked drinking that much. In addition, his body did not handle alcohol well.

 

Yuuri watched his husband staggering away from the sofa and putting his clothes on in clumsy movements. Wolfram ruffled through his messy hair while summoning water element to create a healing spell.

 

“Need help?”

 

“Nah. I'll just go to the baths then try to find something to cure my headache and will be present at the meeting.”

 

“Don't overdo. I don't want you throwing up in front of the council.”

 

As Wolfram said nothing to that, Yuuri went to the wardrobe to look for a change of clothes. He and Wolfram left for the baths a few minutes later.

 

XXXXX

 

It was evening already, and Yuuri was sitting on the bench in the garden on the right side of the living quarters of the Castle. It was not a big garden in comparison to the gardens that Yuuri had seen but it still took quite some manpower. There already were five gardeners taking care of it. One of whom he could hear Wolfram speaking to right now. Yuuri could not see them behind the lilac bushes nor he could hear what they were talking about; but as the tones were quite light and it was a woman, it did not seem it was something he should get worried about.

 

Yuuri was not sure what to think about his suspicions about Wolfram. Asami had promised to try and talk to Wolfram to pry something out. But then Asami just left without saying a word to him about the results of his attempt. Was it because Asami didn't have a chance to talk to his husband or was it because he had and got a hold of some information he was reluctant to tell him? Nonsense, Wolfram would not play around like that.

 

Huffing, Yuuri stood up. This had become ridiculous, not being able to communicate with his own husband.

 

Yuuri heard the sound of approaching steps and turned around to see Conrad coming toward him from the other side of the garden. His godfather waved at him.

 

“Your Majesty,” he bowed after coming up.

 

Yuuri groaned. “Oh for god's sake, will you drop that at least when we're alone?”

 

Conrad just smiled at his king warmly. “Anissina said she has invented A-Device-for-an-Easy-Horseshoeing. She wants Your Majesty to take a look at it. She seems very proud of it.”

 

Yuuri sighed. “Just tell me that there were no victims this time?”

 

“Nope, there weren't. Well, except for Gwendal's feet being swollen.”

 

Yuuri groaned. “Why don't they finally marry? Why doesn't Gwendal marry her and take her somewhere far, far away?”

 

Conrad grinned at him. “I think with Anissina it would be a bit problematic… Probably it would be Gwendal who would be taken somewhere far, far away.”

 

Yuuri sighed, “Either way is fine.”

 

“Well?”

 

It had been a long day. Trying to think of how to avoid the pressing invitation, Yuuri rubbed his neck. He rolled his head to get the muscles to relax. “Alright, let's go to see that divine scourge.” He started out in a slow pace along the path.

 

“I hope Your Majesty did not mean Anissina?”

 

“Nope, it was for the device. Anissina falls into a category of banes.”

 

Conrad chuckled. “In any case, I hope YourMajesty will be ready to run.”

 

“Oh, I'm always ready for that when I'm in a room with her. Tell me,” Yuuri clucked his tongue, “as for loving cute things, Gwendal's attachment to Anissina seems more than a tad out of context.”

 

“Well, all of us have a whit of inclination towards masochism and…”

 

“Gah!” Yuuri held up his hand in front of Conrad's mouth. “I really don't want to hear the rest.”

 

Conrad shrugged.

 

Yuuri stopped as they passed the lilac bushes and a clearing opened up before them. He could see Wolfram sitting on a bench with a woman and chatting away. It disturbed him was that there were no guards with them. And there was no way she could be a gardener. Judging by the woman's clothes, she was a very rich aristocrat. Yuuri moved forward again while pointing at the woman.

 

“Who is she and what business does she have with von Bielefelds?”

 

Conrad took a look at the woman. “Oh, she's one of the women Wolfram is choosing from. Lady Emilia Liafor.”

 

Turning into another path leading toward the entrance to the Castle, Yuuri blinked slowly. “Huh? Choosing for what?”

 

“For bearing his heir, of course,” Conrad answered softly. “Maybe it's not my place for speaking up - I know it's really hard for Your Majesty to hear and I won't bring up it again, but I am very impressed. I'm glad You understand and support Wolfram.”

 

By the time Conrad finished speaking, Yuuri had stopped walking and now was standing in the middle of the path, staring at Conrad's back. Conrad had said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Yuuri hadn't understood a thing. No, he had understood, he just hoped that he had not.

 

“Your Majesty…?”

 

“What agreement was that, once again?”

 

Yuuri's voice was low and dangerous, his facial expression not promising anything good. Conrad's eyes widened as a slow realization came to him. “Your Majesty, You mean you didn't…?”

 

In a second Yuuri was in front of him with his fists clenched, his whole frame trembling. “Like hell I'd sign something like that!” he hissed at Conrad's face.

 

“But…” Conrad stuttered, “there is Your signature underneath the…”

 

“Fuck it!” Yuuri yelled with all the might he had, not wanting to hear the rest of the sentence. “I've never, ever signed something like that! When did the bastard make me sign it?!”

 

Startled and worried, Conrad was left standing, as suddenly, Yuuri turned around and shot back the path they had just come from. He had never seen his King so enraged. Conrad hurried after Yuuri and was just in time to see Yuuri's fist smashed into Wolfram's nose. The woman screamed and jumped up, hurrying away from the two men.

 

“You lying son of a bitch!”

 

Wolfram didn't try to avoid another hit and was dropped to the grass by Yuuri's second punch to his face.

 

“What the fuck did you give me to sign?!”

 

Yuuri grabbed the blond by the front of his uniform and swung his fist again and it seemed that Wolfram wasn't going to defend himself.

 

“Your Majesty, stop it!”

 

Panting in rage, but not trying to throw Conrad off him, Yuuri stared down at Wolfram, who was getting up from the grass. The blond spat blood out then tried to wipe his bleeding nose on his sleeve and the back of his hand. Almost immediately the blood spurted down again.

 

“So you know,” Wolfram stated, looking at the bush of roses behind Yuuri. He raised his hand to wipe his nose again.

 

“The fuck I know!” Yuuri screamed at him. “What is this about?!” He struggled against Conrad's grip on his arms. “Let go of me!” Yuuri gritted his teeth. “Conrad, let go of me!” he hissed. “I'm not going to do anything to him!” He pushed Conrad away roughly as the man let go. “Look at me, Wolfram! What the hell is that agreement about?!”

 

In two strides Yuuri was beside the blond who would not meet his eyes. “Will you fucking look at me?!” he yelled, grabbing Wolfram by his hair, forcing his head up, wrenching a pained cry from the blond's throat.

 

“Your Majesty!” Conrad shouted aghast, but the king ignored him, jerking Wolfram's head back, making the blond choke on his own blood.

 

“So will you explain this to me?!” Yuuri snarled at Wolfram's face. He let go of his husband's hair as he nodded meekly.

 

“Not here,” Wolfram muttered, wiping again at the blood and smearing it on his face. “It's a long talk.”

 

Yuuri gave a rough tug to the blond's collar. “C'mon, bastard!” he hissed, dragging Wolfram towards the castle.

 

Wolfram let himself being pulled. Wordlessly, Yuuri lugged him through the garden and into the Castle, then all the way upstairs and into their chambers. All the while the guards they passed were gaping at them in a stunned stupor. Once in their chambers, Yuuri shoved Wolfram toward a table to seat him in one of the chairs there. He took the place opposite his husband.

 

“What agreement was Conrad talking about? And who the heck is that woman?” he demanded.

 

Wolfram rubbed over his face, the dried blood now crumbling and falling off his pale skin. “It's the agreement for me to choose an Entrusted Lady. She's one of the candidates.”

 

“What is “an Entrusted Lady”?”

 

Yuuri's voice was controlled but still on the verge of turning back into screaming. Wolfram had a panicky feeling that his husband wouldn't even want to try and understand him. Feeling the anger wafting from Yuuri, he was afraid to look at him.

 

“It's a woman who agrees to bear a child for a male couple,” Wolfram explained slowly.

 

“What the hell are you talking about?!” Yuuri burst out, ready to strangle Wolfram. “I get none of this!”

 

“It's quite common for a male pair to find a female to deliver a baby for them.”

 

“I'll hit you again if you don't start making sense right now! What does it have to do with us?!”

 

Wolfram rubbed his face again. He could feel his left eye and cheek swelling rapidly. “Nothing really. But it has to do with the fact that I am the last of von Bielefeld's and my duty is to prolong the name,” Wolfram explained quietly, still not raising his eyes from the table surface. “I need an heir to secure the family, its name, its lands and leadership. If I don't prolong my line it's over. I can't allow that. Can you understand that, Yuuri?” He finally raised his eyes, but flinched at the look of pure hurt and shock that Yuuri was giving him.

 

Yuuri stared at him. “Jesus fucking Christ, Wolfram…” he choked out after a second. “I… I…don't even know what to say.” His fingers gripped the table so hard that they were white already. It seemed as if his entire life was falling into pieces around him, and he was helpless to do anything about it.

 

“I'm sorry.”

 

“Well, you fucking should be! Oh god,” Yuuri ruffled through his hair with his hands, laughing out suddenly, “is this some freakin' nightmare or something? Just tell me it's a joke.”

 

Wolfram listened to the harsh near hysterical laughter echoing off the luxurious tapestry. “I'm sorry, Yuuri,” he said again.

 

“Shit, shit, shit!” Yuuri cursed. He jumped out of his chair. “I can't believe this!” His head snapped back to Wolfram who was hunching in his seat, his eyes again lowered. There was shame and guilt in that pose, and Yuuri clenched his fists as anger and desperation washed over him with a renewed force. “And what about the document?! When the hell did I sign it?!”

 

“You were drunk. I lied to you that you were signing permission to hire another maid.”

 

Yuuri laughed again then grabbed at his head. “Oh my fucking god,” he spat while shaking his head frantically.

 

“I'm sorry.”

 

“Shut the hell up!” Yuuri snarled at him. “How long has it been going on?! Wolfram, why the hell do I get to find out something so huge like this?! Why?!”

 

“I knew that you wouldn't have allowed it otherwise. And…”

 

“Are you nuts?! Do you think I will allow it now?! You are mine, Wolfram! You are my husband! Do you think I feel like sharing or something?!” Yuuri screamed at him. He suddenly fell silent as an unexpected thought occurred to him. “Or maybe it's already too late?! -Maybe I already need to congratulate you?!”

 

Wolfram groaned. “No, Yuuri, stop it. It's…”

 

“No, Wolfram! I will not allow something like this!” Yuuri declared, glaring at the blond.

 

“Yuuri, no. You can't…”

 

“I will nullify that agreement immediately and after that I don't want to see any of those women here nor ever hear about this shit again. Do you understand me?” Yuuri demanded.

 

Wolfram's knuckles turned white from squeezing his knees under the table. “I…I…In that case I'll have to apply for a divorce.”

 

Yuuri stared at him. “I can't fucking believe this…” he stuttered after a few seconds. Wolfram had just issued an ultimatum.

 

“Yuuri, please listen to me. I am the only one who can prolong the family and its influence. I can't back off. Don't make me do it,” Wolfram begged, lifting his head to focus desperate eyes on his furious husband.

 

“So now you are threatening me?!”

 

“No! I'm not threatening you, Yuuri. But it's something that must be done.”

 

Yuuri paced back and forth through the room then dropped back into his chair opposite the blond. The king stared at his husband's rapidly swelling face, at the bruise that had appeared under his left eye.

 

“For fuck's sake…” Yuuri groaned then leaned back into the backrest. “Your father. Why he…?”

 

Wolfram shook his head. “During the last war he sustained an injury and…well, he can't. That's why I am his only child. We thought about everything already.”

 

“Shit. Who is that “we”?”

 

“Yuuri, please, think about it and…”

 

“And what the fuck do you expect me to do then?!” Yuuri raised his voice again. “You can't be serious! It's impossible! I won't allow it!”

 

“Yuuri…”

 

“Enough, Wolfram!” Yuuri shouted, jumping out of his chair again and going to the door. “Just enough!” he shook his head before slamming the door behind him.

 

The merciless door slam actually made Wolfram jerk in his seat. He stared at the door then pressed his forehead to the cool surface of the table and sighed heavily.

 

XXXXX

 

Wolfram was already in bed as the king entered the bedroom. Yuuri's mind was still in turmoil, he was boiling in anger and he even had thought of washing it all away with alcohol, but in the end he was even too fussed for that.

 

Without a word, he undressed and got into bed. After shifting around for a few moments, he stilled, laying on his side of the bed, his back to Wolfram. Wolfram's frame was being shaken by loud hiccups, and he, just like Wolfram, was also far from sleeping.

 

After calming down a little and thinking it all over, as well as having a short word with Gunter, who was not able to tell much except that, naturally, everyone had been sure that it had been done with his knowledge, he was still at a loss. Of course, nobody had thought that Wolfram had never informed him. It was simply inconceivable. They had been keeping it quiet and not bringing up because they knew it must have cost him to sign the permission. It must have been Wolfram who advised them not to ever mention it.

 

It also became obvious that Wolfram had made the arrangements to be carried out while the two of them were absent on Earth. It must have been Wolfram's father who had undertaken the task of composing a list of appropriate women. So while they had been gone, the von Bielefeld family had broadcast the news a candidate was needed to bear the noble child. Of course, there must have been many applying. Bearing a child for von Bielefelds, and at the same time for the Prince Consort, would be a huge personal advancement and honor.

 

And it was also clear that Wolfram had expected him to find this out later. When it was already too late to change anything.

 

Yuuri let out an angry sigh. For Wolfram it was always like this - either everything or nothing. He must have hoped for a better result when it was already too late and he had only two choices - either leave Wolfram or let him do as he wished. Now, as there was no child yet, he still could somehow prevent it. He could forbid this nonsense. But at the same time he knew that in that case, he would leave no option for Wolfram except for walking away from their marriage. Which neither of them wanted.

 

Yuuri rubbed his forehead and turned on his back to stare at the ceiling. He had no idea of what he was going to do. He turned his head to Wolfram's side where another loud hiccup was heard. It seemed that Wolfram was on a verge of a nervous breakdown. When under great emotional pressure he either hiccupped or had some nervous tic coursing through his body.

 

“Go get some water,” Yuuri said, annoyed.

 

The bundle on the other side of the bed moved then stood up and tapped softly out of the bedroom. Yuuri heard the door close behind Wolfram.

 

Half an hour later Wolfram still wasn't back. Yuuri rolled out of the bed, angry with himself for even caring. He left the bedroom and found the blond as soon as he entered the next room. In the darkness of the unlit room, Wolfram was sitting on the stone windowsill, his head against the cold glass. His hunched, cover wrapped figure made Yuuri sigh inwardly.

 

“What the hell are you doing?”

 

“They won't-” Wolfram hiccupped loudly, “stop. I didn't,” he hiccupped again, “want to keep you awake.”

 

Yuuri rubbed his forehead. “Go back to bed. You'll get cold here,” he said before turning around and returning to the bedroom. Leaving the door open, he crossed the bedroom and lay down again. A minute later he heard the door shutting and soft padding of feet on the carpet. The mattress sank on Wolfram's side and the blond was in.

 

Yuuri listened to the stifled hiccups for what seemed like a long time then they started getting fewer and fewer, until they finally disappeared and were replaced by his husband's quiet breathing. Yuuri listened to it for a while then also drifted off to sleep.

 

XXXXX

 

Yuuri roused slowly then wished he hadn't. Lying still, he thought about how good it would be if it all turned out to be only a morbid dream. It was said that everything looked better in the morning, but actually despite yesterday's cloggy buzz in his head being gone, it became even worse. Because now he was able to clearly comprehend the seriousness of the situation.

 

Yuuri turned to his side. Wolfram's swollen nose and black puffed eye made him wince. They had squabbled in the past, but this was the first time it was so bad. Hurt and anger had made him lash out. But no matter the circumstances, he regretted having hit his husband.

 

Wolfram stirred lightly at the gentle touch but continued sleeping. The blond unconsciously turned his head so that his face would get more of the pleasant treatment. Yuuri continued to spread the healing spell for a few minutes then lowered his arm away from Wolfram's face.

 

He had to do some serious thinking about the entire situation, about what could be done to avoid the unwanted turn of events. He also had to talk to someone who knew about the entire matter and was skilled and knowledgeable in local customs. Although he had no doubt that Wolfram had already considered all the possibilities before letting things get so far along. But still, there had to be a different way to settle this.

 

Just recently he had said to Asami that there was nothing that would make him endanger or reject his and Wolfram's relationship. So what was he going to do now?

 

Yuuri climbed out of the bed, grabbed a change of clothes from the wardrobe and went to the baths.

 

As soon as the door closed, Wolfram's eyes opened. The blond turned to look at the window then pushed the covers away and sat up. He thought about feigning illness, but then rejected the thought. He would have to face Yuuri sooner or later anyway. For a few minutes Wolfram just sat there with his head lowered then climbed out of the bed.

 

From experience Wolfram knew that his and Yuuri's backgrounds and cultures were very different, and he was familiar with most of Yuuri's views on things. He had known beforehand that things would not go well. Yuuri would overlook some flirting, never getting jealous needlessly, but touching…that was something Yuuri was very territorial about. To have him sleep with someone else, and even have a child, meant that he would trample all over Yuuri's pride. It also meant many other things that could denote the end of his and Yuuri's marriage and relationship.

 

It was pretty common to have an Entrusted Lady in Shin Makoku, whereas, as The Great Sage had told him, there was first a matter of a homosexual couple to deal with on Earth. There was no such thing as an Entrusted Lady on Earth, at least not in the same sense that Wolfram understood. The Great Sage had also warned that Yuuri might even see this turn of events as a personal insult and mockery. Wolfram was glad that Yuuri did not think so. His husband was just very upset about the situation itself and furious with him for keeping it silent.

 

XXXXX

 

“You knew, didn't you?” Yuuri asked.

 

Murata gave him a short look then went back to reading the huge book that he had lying on the desk in front of him. “Didn't everyone know?” he muttered.

 

Yuuri's face contorted in anger. “I mean... you knew that Wolfram had never told me anything!”

 

“Well, yes,” Murata shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Why did you keep silent!?” Yuuri demanded, shouting. It always irritated him when Murata thought himself relieved of his common duty as his subordinate. This time it enraged him.

 

“I shall not interfere in your marital affairs, Your Majesty,” Murata said bluntly. “And as for this getting so far without Your Majesty knowing anything, Your Majesty should just have a talk with the Prince Consort.” He sighed then, closing the book with a solid thump. “The entire castle is buzzing about you hitting him. He's walking around all black and swollen in the face,” Murata said, coming back to an informal way of talking. “And was it really necessary to drag him around like a dog?”

 

Yuuri snorted then dropped into the chair in front of Murata. He opened his mouth.

 

“Actually, I expected it to be much worse,” Murata said before Yuuri could speak, as he leaned back in his chair and folded his hands on his lap. “Like him needing a hospital or you going berserk and demolishing half of the Castle.”

 

Yuuri closed his mouth. He sighed heavily. “Ah, I wish was that easy. Just beat the shit out of him and that would be it.”

 

Murata's face was lit by a short smile. “Yeah, other than venting your anger, that won't solve a thing.”

 

Yuuri sagged in his seat while slouching against the back of the chair. He was far from relaxed, but almost two days of stress had burned him out. “Why not adopt a child?” he suggested hopefully.

 

Murata gave him a sympathetic look. Yuuri's futile struggles were making him pity the man. “Yuuri, it's all about blood. This is a backwater planet, if, for some weird reason, you haven't noticed. There's always disorder and trouble even when there is a daughter to inherit the wealth and house. How do you expect some stranger to inherit von Bielefeld's name and history?”

 

Yuuri closed his eyes with a sigh. He had never ever thought that he might find himself in a situation like this. Maintaining a relationship while…

 

“Waaaait,” Yuuri held out his hand as another thought occurred to him. “Does this also mean that unless it's a son, Wolfram would have to try again?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Yuuri rubbed at his eyes. The urge to laugh hysterically nearly overwhelmed his mind. Well, wasn't it just a lottery? The prizes were: a son, a daughter, von Bielfelds' stability, Wolfram's happiness, his own happiness, the happiness of the two of them. It was impossible to win all of them. Yuuri couldn't believe he was even considering this.

 

“Alright,” Yuuri said after he was sure he got himself together and would be able to talk without bursting outin hysterics. “What about artificial insemination? That's a possibility, isn't it?”

 

Murata gave him a disbelieving look. “Whereas it's a technical possibility, these are noble families of a feudal, almost medieval culture, Yuuri. If you start talking about something like that, you will either end up insulting them or they might think that it's bringing an evil spirit into this world. No one will agree to this.”

 

Yuuri stared at him for a long minute. “So he has to have a son,” he said while neither asking nor confirming. “And there is no other way.”

 

“Exactly. If there were any other way, Wolfram would have found it. He knew you would hate it. You can't think that he wanted this.”

 

Yuuri groaned. “I know. It's not that I'm blaming him. It's that…”

 

“You feel desperate and helpless which makes you angry,” Murata said, cutting him off. “Simple enough, but the choice is before you. You either accept it or refuse it.”

 

Yuuri watched Murata's face for a few seconds then turned to look through the window at the sky that was showing the oncoming night. One could still read without a candle but the room was drowned in the yellowish light that was becoming thicker with each passing minute.

 

“Talk to him, Yuuri,” Murata said. “Simply talk to him and try to decide what is most important to you. Changes are unavoidable, but one can always make the most of the situation.”

 

XXXXX

 

Wolfram did not turn up for dinner. It was quiet at the table, none of those gathered were speaking, the uneasy scrapping of eating utensils rasping against the plates too loud in the edgy silence. If felt as if the enormous-sized dining-room was mocking the six of them.

 

Cecilie was absent on one of her “love search” trips. She had been absent for almost a month already. Yuuri wondered if that was just a coincidence or if Wolfram made sure that his mother got an inspiration to travel. Yuuri doubted if Cecilie would have been able to keep quiet. Trying to keep silent about a matter like this probably would have killed her.

 

Conrad seemed to be very worried about all of this. The man was hardly eating, watching Yuuri with concerned eyes. Yuuri did not talk to Conrad, neither had he asked him anything. From that short episode in the garden it was clear what Conrad thought and would suggest anyway.

 

Gunter, on the other hand, did not seem very bothered. The lavender-haired man had explained the local customs to Yuuri and said that Wolfram having an Entrusted Lady would not affect his position as king or the Kingdom itself and just left it at that. He was not able to see a problem.

 

Gwendal was another matter. The General had told Yuuri to be reasonable and advised him not to do anything that he might regret later. Yuuri felt that in case he decided to leave Wolfram, he better start looking for a new man to replace Gwendal. Keeping in mind that Gwendal dealt with military intelligence and was the General of the Army, it would pose a serious problem. Another difficulty was that in case it turned out really nasty, Gwendal might make a dangerous enemy.

 

Anissina seemed to only be curious as to how all of this would end. Yuuri had not talked to Gisela, but he could tell that she was worried and wanted him to find a compromise with Wolfram.

 

Yuuri had no idea how his blood-related family would react, but had no time to inform them about the mess. Actually, he suspected that his mother might be happy and start buying clothes for the future “grandson”. His father might just be neutral. But the one Yuuri really wanted to talk to and ask for advice was his brother.

 

The dinner ended just like it started - silently. While climbing upstairs to his chambers, Yuuri could feel the guards' gazes following his back. He had been violent with his husband, and the castle guards were at a loss what they should do if that were to happen again. Their priorities lay with their king, but the protection of Prince Consort was also their duty.

 

Yuuri reached the top of the stairs and turned to his and Wolfram's chambers. Hearing the door open, Wolfram turned to look at him. The blond was standing at the open window, partly leaning on the windowsill. Yuuri shut the door behind him softly and stepped into the dark room.

 

“Why did you skip dinner?”

 

“I wasn't hungry,” Wolfram muttered.

 

Yuuri said nothing to that. He walked over to the sofa. Falling onto it heavily, he snapped his fingers to light a few candles, making the room glow in yellow light. “We need to talk, Wolfram,” he said.

 

Wolfram gave an uneasy nod and left the window.

 

“First of all,” Yuuri started, after Wolfram had sat down, “I want to say that I still can't wrap my mind around it. My thoughts and feelings are in chaos and I have no idea what to do.

 

“I discussed the matter with Gunter, Murata and Gwendal. It seems that there is really is no other way except for you to have a son. But one thing that I don't understand is why now. I asked around, but it doesn't seem that anyone is threatening the von Bielefeld's status. Your lifespan can reach up to five hundred years. Why now?”

 

Wolfram stood up and went to the sideboard where he extended his arm to open the door. He started at Yuuri's hand that set on his just as his fingers reached the knob. He hadn't heard the man move.

 

“You need to start controlling this recent hobby of yours. Besides, you shouldn't drink on an empty stomach,” Yuuri said.

 

Wolfram stared at the tempting door then removed his hand from the knob. “It must be done sooner or later,” he muttered, not turning around, but feeling Yuuri's intent eyes watching him. “I prefer to deal with it sooner. I don't have the guts to wait and to think and be afraid of what might or might not happen. This past month almost drove me crazy.”

 

“Then why did you hide it? Do you have any idea how I feel?!”

 

“I'm sorry.”

 

““Sorrys” can't excuse your sneakiness, Wolfram. It was as if you had spit in my face! Why didn't you discuss it with me like you should have done? Like a real man would have done!”

 

Wolfram's head snapped around to face Yuuri. “Okay, I'm a coward, Yuuri!” he hissed. “Okay, I'm a sneaky bastard! I wanted to tell you, I started to more than once, but you burst in all smiling and announce that we were going on holiday. And I wanted to spend that holiday with you because it might have been our last!”

 

Gwendal had told him to be reasonable. Fuck it. This was exactly what he was doing right now - being reasonable, and he had just reasonably slugged Wolfram right in his face. So Gwendal should be happy now.

 

“If you ever pull shit like this again,” Yuuri hissed down at Wolfram who was kneeling on the carpet, hunched in pain, and holding the right side of his face, “it really will be our last. Don't give me this bullshit. You leading me around by the nose and playing with my feelings is not something I'm happy about.”

 

“It's not like that!”

 

“I am your husband, Wolfram,” Yuuri growled out. “If there's something going on, I am the first person you must run to and report. Not after a month... or a year or two... or never. There must be no attempts to justify this sort of stuff and your carrying on about how you wanted to drag these lies out. There must be no such thing, Wolfram.”

 

Wolfram stayed silent, staring at the tips of Yuuri's boots. He was still pressing his palm to his rapidly swelling face.

 

“I don't know, Wolfram. I don't fucking know what to do.”

 

TBC