Kyou Kara Maou Fan Fiction ❯ Inexorable Flow ❯ Part 11 ( Chapter 11 )

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.

A/N 2: implications of heterosexual…sex? Hell, I never thought I'd have to write a warning like this.

 

Inexorable Flow

 

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

 

Part 11

 

When Yuuri entered the royal chambers, Wolfram was on the sofa, lying on his stomach, his stocking feet put on the armrest. There were pillows under his chest and stomach, and he was reading. The sun was setting, but as the sofa was next to the window, one could still do without a candle.

 

Wolfram didn't acknowledge either the sounds of the opening and closing door or Yuuri's steps. He yelped loudly in surprise when Yuuri smacked him on his behind. With his eyes wide, his head turned to his husband.

 

“Don't,” Wolfram swallowed hard, trying to force his heart out of his throat. “Don't fucking ever do that again,” he finished getting over his scare.

 

“Don't curse,” Yuuri smacked Wolfram on his bottom again. “Here, your dinner.” He tossed Wolfram an apple which the blond caught while clumsily turning to his side. The king seated himself next to his husband. With his head he motioned at the pile of papers in front of his husband. “Is this the reason you skipped dinner?”

 

Wolfram turned back to the documents. He nodded, then quickly swept the loose sheets into his hands and put them on the floor, laying the apple on top of them. “I think I lost the track of time.”

 

“What are those?” Yuuri asked, pointing at the papers.

 

Shifting, Wolfram pulled his legs under him and sat up. “Yuuri, I know that you wanted to know nothing about it, but the ceremony for the initiation of an Entrusted Lady for the von Bielefeld bloodline is scheduled for this Saturday. It will happen at the main temple of the Goddess of Fertility. It would probably be best if you attended the ceremony or rumors will start flying about. You won't need to do anything; just show up at the beginning and then you can leave. Is it too much to ask?”

 

Frowning, Yuuri leaned against the backrest. “So you finally chose one?”

 

“Yes. We have already signed the contract. The initiation in the temple is only for the public eye; it's a tradition.”

 

Yuuri thought for a moment. “If you're so worried, then I suppose my not showing up would mean that I don't approve?”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Is it like giving a blessing?”

 

Wolfram groaned inwardly at the hostility that he could clearly hear in his husband's voice. “Not really. Just you indicating that it's alright with you.”

 

Wolfram could see that Yuuri burned to share his thoughts about it all being “alright” with him, but in the end Yuuri decided to stop letting his thoughts and emotions chase each other in circles and just nodded.

 

“Alright, I'll attend the ceremony,” he said. He reclined his head on the backrest. “So this is finally happening, huh?” he muttered.

 

Wolfram got up then squatted down to gather the documents and the apple from the floor. “Yes, it is,” he nodded, aligning them.

 

“What is she like?”

 

“Yuuri, stop it,” Wolfram said in a stern voice. In silence, he carried the documents and apple to the table and tossed them next to the bowl filled with fruit, placing the apple on the top of the arrangement. “I warned her about getting in your face, so she will stay away.”

 

“Thanks for making me feel like a jealous housewife.”

 

“Well... you are acting like one right now.”

 

Yuuri glared at Wolfram's back but said nothing.

 

Wolfram shrugged. “I wouldn't like you getting an Entrusted Lady either,” he admitted. He turned around to look at Yuuri. “I'm too possessive for that, and it doesn't have anything to do with our different backgrounds. Even though...” Wolfram looked down at the floor for a long second, before continuing, “... I won't have a say in it now.”

 

Surprised, Yuuri looked at his husband. They had not discussed this, but apparently Wolfram had known his vague thoughts anyway. Yuuri sighed, “Ah, let's drop the topic for today. I don't think there's anything new to discuss.”

 

Wolfram nodded, agreeing. He walked over to the sofa and sat down next to his husband. “But there's another thing I wanted to ask you. There's a tradition after the initiation for the closest family members to gather somewhere to greet…” Wolfram faltered.

 

“…The couple,” Yuuri finished for him, thinking that he needed a drink or two and right now.

 

“It's not called a couple,” Wolfram protested. “Sometimes it's a group of three or four people. Besides, it's more about the relatives biding their farewells to the woman and wishing her all the best.”

 

Yuuri ignored that. “So you're asking me if you can use the Castle for that?”

 

“Yes,” Wolfram nodded. “If you're against it, I can talk to the Buantas and arrange it at their home. Or I can talk to my father and use his castle.”

 

“That would be an awfully long journey.” Yuuri sighed. He also knew that Wolfram did not like interacting with his father. “Wolfram, this is your home just as much as it is mine. I can't possibly tell you to leave.”

 

“I understand that, Yuuri. But that night, after the greeting, I'll go to bed with her instead of with you. You have to decide if you can stand knowing…” Wolfram trailed off, knowing that his husband understood.

 

His face frowning, Yuuri closed his eyes. “Why must you torture me, Wolfram?” His husband stayed silent, and Yuuri opened his eyes to see Wolfram intently watching his face. Yuuri reached his hand to his wrist, to the wedding bracelet. He trailed his fingers over the shiny piece of gold. Suddenly, the king tugged on the wrist, making the startled blond fall forward into his arms. “Why the hell do I have to put up with this?!” Yuuri hissed, crushing Wolfram to him. “Why?!” he groaned.

 

Wolfram returned the desperate embrace, clinging to his husband, something inside him snapping at the sound of Yuuri's desperate voice. “I love you so much, Yuuri! So much!” he whispered fervently, kissing his husband's face, neck and shoulders. “So much!” he hiccupped.

 

Yuuri listened to the soft hiccups that had started. He suddenly felt ashamed of himself. He was not the only one feeling the pressure. “Shh... It's okay, I'm sorry.” He took Wolfram's face between his hands to calm him down. “It's okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry; it's not your fault.”

 

Wolfram watched his husband with his big emeralds then hiccupped loudly.

 

“We'll get through this, Wolfram,” Yuuri said, his voice firm, trying to convince Wolfram as much as himself.

 

XXXXX

 

There was a crowd gathered in front of the Goddess of Fertility Temple. The noble and relatives were already inside, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Wolfram and Yuuri were waiting outside with the crowd, but they, with a few bodyguards, were at the top of the stairs leading into the temple. The soldiers in the courtyard were maintaining order, making sure nobody climbed onto the stairs and that there was a passage left in the middle of the crowd for the vehicles.

 

The tradition required Wolfram to lead his future Entrusted Lady into the temple. Yuuri had decided that his presence at his husband's side would be enough to assure people. He did not plan on staying for the ceremony. He knew that even if his leaving would cause talk, Wolfram would understand.

 

The hair color of the child is already decided, Yuuri thought after a lavish carriage - followed by a suite of another ten - stopped at the temple, and Heseren Buanta climbed out. Both Wolfram and Heseren were blond. It was the first time he was seeing her.

 

Wolfram left Yuuri's side, moving down the stairs, to meet her. Yuuri could hear distant mumblings and whispers from the crowd downstairs, enthusiastically sharing opinions about the von Bielfelds' Entrusted Lady. She was dressed in an ornate green dress whose edges were embroidered with gold and which really complimented her figure. Her blonde wavy hair was gathered at the back of the head into a net studded with pearls. She was going to be a hot gossip topic for lots of women for many years to come.

 

Wolfram was wearing his dress uniform and had a blue shoulder cape with golden trim representing his House. Today, on his chest he also had a silver pendant with von the Bielefeld emblem. During Yuuri and his wedding he had presented Yuuri with a similar one, but it had been bigger and made of pure gold.

 

Yuuri watched Wolfram guiding Heseren up the stairs laid out with carpets. Her parents and some of the relatives were following them. Giving her a closer look, Yuuri could see that she was very nervous, the plastered on smile troubled. She wasn't a beauty, but today she looked stunning in her splendor. Yuuri caught himself trying to guess what might have induced Wolfram to choose her.

 

When Wolfram and Heseren reached the place where he was standing, the woman gave Yuuri a concerned look. Instead of giving her a nod or an assuring smile, Yuuri turned away and proceeded into the temple. Just before the guards opened the door to the temple, he thought that his behavior was uncalled for, but he wanted no connection with this woman.

 

They entered the temple and continued towards the front where the High Priestess stood. At each side of the long center carpeted aisle were row upon row of benches. The front rows were almost all filled, and with Heseren's parents and her relatives hurrying to take the remaining few empty seats, there were about a hundred and fifty people present.

 

After walking almost the length of the Hall, Yuuri turned to take a seat at his parents' side who, with the household from Blood Pledge Castle, sat in the front rows. He had not intended to invite his parents to the ceremony, but Murata had warned him that his mother might feel hurt. Yuuri was regretting having listened to Murata because now his mother, sitting next to the grinning Cecilie, was wiping her teary eyes with a handkerchief. She was obviously misunderstanding the ceremony. His father, though, looked anxious. Gwendal and Conrad, from the other side of his parents, were giving him intense looks. Conrad offered him a reassuring smile. Gwendal's gaze, though, told Yuuri that he had better endure the ceremony as a man or the consequences would be grave.

 

Neither Shori nor Asami were present. Yuuri had informed them about the ceremony and its date but did not invite them. Neither felt slighted by not being included.

 

Yuuri took a seat next to his father. Wolfram and Heseren climbed the couple of low stairs and stopped in front of the platform where the High Priestess stood. Yuuri had wondered why sometimes the Goddess of Fertility was called the God of Fertility and vice versa. Wolfram had explained to him that in ancient times these were two separate gods. The female form had very likely been assimilated from Human or some other culture. With time, the two entities and their characters had merged, becoming two representations of the same being.

 

For a couple of minutes, the High Priestess spoke celebrating life and the importance of the role of the young woman in front of her.

 

The introductory part was over, and the priestess cast a glance at a young girl and boy who had been waiting at the wall, next to a small table covered with a tablecloth that was embroidered with varicolored flowers. At the priestess' sign, the girl took a golden chalice off the table. She held out the chalice for the boy who took the pitcher off the table. Slowly, he filled the elaborately engraved chalice with water. The water was taken from the well in the dark vault under the temple. It was believed that the water from that well held magical powers to improve potency, helped with conception and healed diseases.

 

The boy lowered the pitcher back to the table then took a sash from it. On one end it had the ancient symbol of the God (a ripe spike of rye), on the opposite end it had an embroidered symbol of the Goddess (a catlike form). Both, he and the girl climbed the small stairs to the platform. While the girl was holding the chalice, the priestess took the sash from the boy and dipped the middle of it into the chalice.

 

“May your loins be fruitful,” the priestess said, brushing the wet sash over Wolfram's forehead.

 

“May you bear healthy children,” she said, brushing the same part of the sash over Heseren's forehead.

 

The High Priestess gave the sash back to the boy. She took the chalice from the girl and turned back to Wolfram and Heseren. Wolfram took off the silver pendant that he was wearing.

 

“Lady Buanta, with this, I, Wolfram von Bielefeld, entrust unto you the future of the von Bielefeld blood.”

 

Heseren lowered her head while Wolfram was putting the pendant on her neck. “Thank You for Your trust, Your Highness,” she said. “I'll do my best to answer Your Highness' hopes.”

 

The High Priestess turned to the people sitting on the benches. “With this, the initiation is complete. You are the witnesses.”

 

A loud burst of applause filled the Temple and Wolfram held out his hand to help Heseren step down the stairs. Once they were off the stairs, Heseren's relatives hurried to congratulate her. The people in the temple hushed when the king stood up. He came closer to the two. Without much interest, his eyes slid over the pendant dangling on Heseren's chest then he nodded to Wolfram and turned to go.

 

Wolfram followed Yuuri who was moving towards the exit. All what was left to Heseren was to go after them. In single file, Heseren following Wolfram, Wolfram following Yuuri, they left the temple, walked down the red-carpeted stairs and climbed into the waiting carriage. Once the door closed, it drove off, followed by eight bodyguards on their horses.

 

Perplexed, Heseren sat opposite the royal couple. The prince and the king were discussing the arrangements for the guests. The king was completely ignoring her, and had not even acknowledged her presence by any word or action from the very start. His character did not scream hostility, particularly towards her, but he was obviously discontent with her even existing. She started to understand what the prince had been talking about earlier: the man was overly possessive, and only saw her as interference in his marriage. She suddenly felt frightened as the king could easily make her life miserable as soon as she brushed him the wrong way. Given the current situation it could easily be anything she did.

 

The prince had taken a position which clearly showed his priorities. The prince was well-known for his very fiery character and fights with his husband, and she presumed that their relationship was very rocky and complicated. But he had been allowed to have an Entrusted Lady within the marriage only with few conditions. It was obvious that Wolfram was bound by whatever he had promised his husband and to expect the prince to do something which would go against the king's wishes would be naïve. That left her at the mercy of the king.

 

The prince appeared to be different from what she had imagined. She had seen him a few times at various occasions in Blood Pledge Castle. As a man, she found him very attractive, even though her mother had said a few times that it was improper for a man to be this handsome. From rumors and a few glances, Heseren had thought him a very impulsive, but at the same time a scheming man who could be cruel at times and who could never get along with his own husband. In fact, she did not even want to meet him at first. That half an hour of conversation that she had with the prince made her change her opinion. The prince appeared to be the opposite of what she had imagined. Despite his two missing teeth, which she found a rather unpleasant sight, he was polite, businesslike and at the same time considerate of her position. This was much more than she had sensed from the other men that she had met before him. Further interaction proved him an intelligent and understanding person, with a good sense of humor, concerned about both of their futures and the future of their child or children. The terms of the contract pleased her greatly and she was ready to try her best for the possibility of her future independence.

 

On the other hand, she had to change her preconception about the king. Wolfram understood her anxieties and, as a more experienced man and host, felt a responsibility that she would feel comfortable in her new social environment. It seemed that the king's attitude was making the prince feel somewhat uncomfortable. Heseren was not sure if the king was doing this intentionally, but she noticed the prince giving her a few quick reassuring glances.

 

They reached the Castle and climbed out of the carriage. Heseren was the last to exit, Wolfram offering her his hand for support. Gratefully, she took it and soon - with her bloated dress - was on firm ground. She felt the king's scrutinizing look on her, but after raising her head, saw him already walking away. In the distance, she could hear other carriages climbing up the hill. Soon they appeared near the gate.

 

Wolfram led Heseren into the prepared hall where she was going to be congratulated and then would part with her family members and where she was going to meet and get acquainted with the household of Blood Pledge Castle. The most of her things were still at her parents' house. She had not taken any servants, but Wolfram had promised to take care of that.

 

Once in the hall, Heseren felt surrounded by her relatives. Most of them she was seeing for the first time in her life, her father's cries for help to save the family from bankruptcy finding only strangers. Now, many of them were flocking around her like about a hen lying golden eggs. She let herself be swept along by the cheap flattery and subservience. Heseren knew that very likely she was seeing them for the last time in her life; Wolfram did not strike her as a man who liked to foolishly spend his money. Even now he was answering the greetings of her family with curt nods. She remembered him saying that he was not interested in creating ties with her family. And if she ever got the estate that she had been promised, she was going to make sure her relatives never knew where she lived.

 

After the cloud of her relatives cleared off, she found herself in Cecilie von Spitzberg's hug. Beside her there was another woman with brown hair, dressed very weird and who was talking non-stop in an unfamiliar language and then presented Heseren with a box of something while repeating Wolfram's and Yuuri's names. Heseren had seen Cecilie a few times and she thought the former queen a big airhead. On the other hand, she had heard stories where the queen had fought in duels with the strongest men in Shin Makoku and won. Seeing the former queen, Heseren always thought that those men had just been blinded by Cecilie's beauty. That she could not deny. Heseren could see Lord von Bielefeld in the hall and it was obvious that Wolfram got his looks from his mother.

 

After the rest of the Blood Pledge Castle household greeted her, servants started streaming in, carrying various foods and dishes. Everybody started looking for a place to sit down. A little lost, Heseren looked around, wondering where to sit and where to put the box and that huge plush thing that had been given to her by Gwendal von Voltaire. She felt a tug on her dress.

 

“Here, sit here,” Wolfram indicated the empty seat next to him.

 

He took the box and then the plushy thing from Heseren then called over one of the servants, instructing him to take them to her room. She noticed him his brother a look, which Gwendal von Voltaire answered with a raised eyebrow. Another look went to Gunter von Christ who, having missed the opportunity earlier, was trying to present Heseren with something pink and lacy over the table. Whatever it had been, it was intercepted halfway by Wolfram, set on fire, then its ashes thrown under the table. A little confused, Heseren thought that it must be some private joke. Just like that unrecognizable plushy thing or that box whose contents suspiciously smelled of an apple pie.

 

Soon the conversations started at the tables and people started melding into groups of two, three or more people. From the corner of her eye, Heseren noticed the king leave the hall and breathed a sigh of relief. Wolfram was arguing about something with Gunter von Christ. Heseren's moment of peace was intruded upon by the same brunette and the former queen, who now undertook the role of a translator. Heseren found herself taken aback after realizing that this rather insensible woman was the mother of the king. Heseren had been assured that, indeed, it was an apple pie which was enjoyed very much by both the king and the prince, who this Human woman adored with all her heart.

 

As the rest of the Blood Pledge Castle household seemed to accept her warmly, her nervousness faded a bit, letting her actually observe and take part in a few conversations. But the darker it got behind the windows, the more apprehensive Heseren became. Some of her relatives started leaving, others asked to be led to the rooms that had been readied for them in advance. At about twelve o'clock, Heseren bid farewell to her parents and the celebration was over.

 

Wolfram led her to the chambers which now would be hers for at least the next six or seven years. She had no arguments with the way the rooms were decorated. Everything was done according to the latest fashion and spoke of luxury. There were two rooms: one living-room and a bedroom behind it. She also saw the strange plushy thing and the box with the apple pie on the table in the living-room.

 

She looked around then both she and Wolfram sat down in the bedroom at the small table.

 

When Wolfram had thought about this moment before, he thought that he should be casual about it. It was just business, nothing else. Now, when he and Heseren were sitting at the table with the enormous bed looming in the back of the bedroom… It wasn't as planned. From business she had turned into a breathing and living woman. She was also nervous, her eyes flitting from the candles on the table, to him, and then to the bed while her fingers were nervously tugging at the ribbons of her dress. She was biting her lower lip. The tension was over the top. Wolfram had never felt so constrained before. He felt that, as a man, it was his responsibility to break down that awkwardness between them, but the mindless things that were leaving his mouth were only making it only worse. For some reason the only things he could think about were; that he would not be able to do it; how he had gone to the lake to discharge Yuuri's powers within him so he didn't harm Heseren; and how was he going to face Yuuri tomorrow. In the end, he felt he was babbling nonsense and just closed his mouth. Now the two of them were sitting in a ringing silence.

 

Heseren was also trying her best to dissolve the sudden tension but Wolfram was just staring at her with big eyes. She could see that the man was close to getting up and running away out of the room. She was close to asking him do exactly that and leave her alone. It had occurred to her, and not once, that this might happen, but never did she think that it would be so awful. She knew in advance that she was going to be really nervous but had expected that Wolfram would take matters into his own hands. But it appeared that the prince was even more uncomfortable then she was.

 

Heseren started as Wolfram's chair suddenly wobbled.

 

“I think I'll just walk around for a bit,” Wolfram muttered after standing up. Not waiting for an answer, he quickly crossed the room and was gone.

 

Heseren stared at the closed door and felt like laughing. Although a moment later, she was closer to crying than laughing. It took her a few minutes to calm down and she wondered if she should just go to sleep.

 

XXXXX

 

After leaving the hall and climbing upstairs to the royal chambers, Yuuri could still hear some of the ruckus from the gathering below. He knew his early disappearance would cause some talk, but he congratulated himself on managing to last much longer than planned. Despite knowing that it was only natural for Wolfram to act with care around Heseren, he still did not like it when his husband was that attentive to someone else.

 

Yuuri removed his black jacket and tossed it onto the bed. After pulling his boots off, he unbuttoned his shirt halfway and sat down onto the bed. He could hear the distinct sounds of Cecilie's laughter drowning out almost all of the other noises, but that still unnerved him. He was regretting having allowed the celebration in Blood Pledge Castle.

 

An hour later, all the sounds ceased, and it seemed that everyone had drifted away to their rooms. Yuuri also thought about going to sleep. He changed into his pajamas and climbed into the cold bed. Just as he had presumed, his thoughts spiraled around in his head without end. He tried to reason with himself, but it was all in vain.

 

Not managing to fall asleep, he got up, poured himself a glassful of cognac and, with the glass in his hand, started pacing the room. From time to time he would cast a glance or two at the door. He still had hopes that Wolfram would return to their bed tonight. Stopping a few times to refill his glass, he continued measuring the room.

 

By the time the grandfather's clock struck one, Yuuri had begun to realize how crimes of passion were committed. He had threatened Wolfram once, but now he understood he was getting close to acting. Never would he have thought that after fifteen years of marriage he would wish to kill anyone who as much as touched Wolfram.

 

Yuuri lowered the half-full glass onto the table then cast his hazy eyes at the empty bottle. He decided that the course his thoughts were taking was dangerous. It was enough drinking. Klutzily, he pushed the glass further away from him, then walked over to the bed and flopped onto his back on it. Hoping to finally get some sleep, he lay fruitlessly like this for a couple of hours until disturbed dreams claimed him.

 

XXXXX

 

A loud knock on the door in the other room made Murata frown in his dream. As far as his sleepy mind knew, it was way past midnight. He grunted as one of the wives elbowed him in the side indicating that he had better get up and answer the door. What the hell were the guards doing letting him be disturbed at this hour?! Cursing softly under his breath, Murata got out of the bed grabbing his glasses from the nightstand, settling them on his nose, lit a candle, found his robe and struggled into it, then walked through the living-room to the door.

 

“Who is it?” Murata bellowed.

 

“It's His Highn…!”

 

“Shut up!”

 

Murata blinked at the door. “Wolfram, is it you? What the hell are you…?”

 

“Let me in, will you?!”

 

Murata sighed. “Fine, fine.” He unlocked the door and opened it to find two concerned guards and an even more concerned prince standing in the dark corridor. “What the hell happened to you?” Murata asked, letting the blond pass. “You look as if you...” He closed and locked the door again. He then went to close the door leading to the bedroom where his wives and the youngest children were sleeping peacefully.

 

“Well?” Murata asked after walking over to the table, putting the candlestick on it and taking the place opposite the one that the blond took.

 

The blond was silent. As Wolfram rarely interacted with him and his visits were even rarer, Murata felt that the prince visiting him at this moment indicated that for once Wolfram had hit a wall. A lost Wolfram was not very pleasant thought.

 

“Right now you should be enjoying a splendid night with Heseren, right?” Murata scratched his head. He groaned as he was met with silence again. “For god's sake, Wolfram. It's…” he cast a look at the clock hanging on the wall, “Three in the morning?!” he started then sighed. “So things aren't going as planed, are they?” Murata tried to get the prince to start talking, so that they dealt with this and he could go back to bed.

 

“They are much, much worse,” Wolfram muttered. “I can't even touch her.”

 

“Is she that fierce?”

 

Wolfram blinked. “Eh? She's really nervous, but I don't think she would mind it. But it's…”

 

Murata groaned again. “I always knew you were totally gay!”

 

“What?”

 

“You only like men, don't you?”

 

Wolfram blinked at him. “Probably. But what...?”

 

Murata waved it off. “Never mind. So you ran away. You left the poor girl alone and ran away. Do you even have an ounce of brains?” Murata asked in a serious voice while his index finger was poking Wolfram on his forehead. “Can you imagine what she is thinking now? How she feels now? She's probably in tears thinking about her miserable fate where…”

 

“Alright, I get it,” Wolfram smacked the finger off his forehead. The Great Sage was getting too familiar with him but at this moment Wolfram did not care. “And it doesn't make me any more excited.”

 

“So you can't get it up?”

 

Wolfram blinked at him then reddened. That was too blunt. But true. “Yeah. I don't think I…”

 

“Well, did you caress her, feel her skin, lips, hair? Did you feel her breasts and…?”

 

Wolfram laughed nervously. “Haaahh…”

 

“So you didn't?” Murata rolled his eyes. “Then how in the hell do you expect to get it up?”

 

Wolfram flushed red again. “I thought you might help me out…?” he looked at Murata hopefully.

 

“I'm sorry, but my wives would skin me alive if I brought home another one. Besides, I've plenty of kids already.”

 

Wolfram glared at him. “I'm being serious!”

 

Murata rolled his eyes. “Alright,” he sighed then. “I might just have what you need.” He left his chair and walked over to the cupboard where he retrieved a few bottles of liquor.

 

Wolfram stared at Murata while he was bringing the bottles and two glasses over to the table. “You can't be serious…?” he drawled.

 

“Oh, but I am,” Murata nodded. He put the glasses onto the table then the bottles followed suit. “Do you know any other way?”

 

“Well, no... but this… Besides, I'm forbidden to drink.”

 

“Do you think that right now Yuuri gives a damn about your drinking?” Murata asked, already having opened one of the bottles. He started filling the glasses. “Certainly not,” he answered for Wolfram, clinking glasses and taking a sip.

 

A little reluctantly, Wolfram took his then just shrugged and emptied in a few big gulps. Murata filled his glass again, and Wolfram began to hope that after a few more he would simply pass out under the table. That did not happen, though. The two of them emptied the bottle then Murata stood up. He took the second bottle off the table and carried it back to the cupboard, put the bottle on a shelf and started opening it.

 

Already buzzed, Wolfram stared at his back, not really understanding why Murata took the bottle all the way across the room just to open it. Finally Murata was done. He leaned down to retrieve two clean glasses from the cupboard then brought them and the open bottle to Wolfram.

 

“Here,” Murata said. “Take this and go to her. I'm sure she's not sleeping yet.”

 

Wolfram didn't move to take the glasses or the bottle. He wasn't sure if Murata was serious or it was just a joke. “I don't want to,” Wolfram muttered.

 

Murata barely kept himself from laughing. “I don't think she expects anything from you tonight anymore. But it would just be nice if you went and apologized for being an asshole. Just have a friendly drink with her to calm her down.” He lifted the bottle. “This is really good. She'll like it. I promise.”

 

Wolfram watched the bottle as Murata held it in the middle of the air, then sighed heavily. He nodded. “Alright. I think I owe her that at least.”

 

Once the door closed behind Wolfram's back, Murata locked it and, chuckling to himself, went back to bed with his sleeping wives.

 

XXXXX

 

Wolfram woke up with a sudden start. He nearly cried out as, after lifting his head, a pang of horrible pain shot between his eyes as if someone had just slammed a morning star into his forehead. After a few nauseated and dysfunctional seconds he finally managed to open his eyes. He was in bed with Heseren who was still sleeping.

 

A wave of nausea shook Wolfram and he rolled off the bed and ran into the bathroom. While kneeling, his body being shaken with spasms, his stomach turning inside out, he realized that he was naked. He had no memories of getting into the bed. He had no memories of even returning to the room.

 

Panting, Wolfram finally felt his stomach settling. A few waves were still going up and down his throat and he leaned against the cupboard to wait them out. After dizzily looking around, he spotted a towel hanging on a hook on the wall and took it to wrap around his hips. A couple of minutes later it seemed that it was safe to leave. He went to the door, but as soon as he reached for the door handle, the door nearly smashed into him. He managed to jump away at the last second.

 

“Move! Move aside!” Heseren croaked, shoving Wolfram out of her way.

 

Once inside, she bent over the same pail and started getting rid of her stomach contents. Not sure what to do, Wolfram just stood and stared at the naked woman vomiting. Even if he had seen many things in his life, the sight simply froze him.

 

“What in the Kingdom,” she heaved, “was in that bottle?!”

 

“What bottle?” Wolfram asked, finally getting over his stupor and moving forward to grab a handful of Heseren's loose hair to keep it out of the way.

 

Heseren groaned again as another spasm shook her. “The one-,” she gasped out, “the one you brought with you when you showed up at nearly four o'clock in the morning.”

 

Some vague pictures floated in Wolfram's head but they made no sense. “Have we been drinking?”

 

“Ohhhh,” Heseren half laughed, half moaned in misery, “I suppose emptying three bottles could be called that.”

 

“Three bottles?! I thought you said one?”

 

A few seconds passed until Heseren was able to answer. “At first it was one. The one with a strange taste. Then… I don't really remember much. But I saw three bottles rolling around on the floor near the bed.”

 

Wolfram stared at the blond hair in his hand. Heseren remembered more than he did. For some reason it was all blank for him. Did they do it?

 

“Did we do it?”

 

“Do what?” Heseren groaned.

 

Wolfram glared at the back of the blonde head. “A baby.” `You damn woman', he wanted to add but bit his tongue. This was the second time he found himself in this sort of situation with memories that made no sense and signs that something significant had happened to him and it suddenly angered him. Even as the anger engulfed him, he knew it had nothing to do with his Entrusted Lady.

 

Heseren nearly choked. For a moment she seemed frozen. She wiped her mouth with her hand and turned to look at Wolfram. Then she looked at herself. She was obviously trying to feel any changes in her body. She was nearly in tears.

 

Wolfram sighed. “I don't remember anything and it's not clear if we succeeded, but it's obvious that we have been trying.”

 

TBC