Consequences of the Maou\'s Heart

Chapter 15

Yuri was reasonably sure he didn’t want to know why Sangria was glaring at him, and damn sure he wasn’t going to be drinking the glass of ‘juice’ she’d sat down on his desk along with his breakfast. Different world or not, no natural fruit produced glowing green juice. She excused herself from the room with a degree of formality Yuri was sure he’d convinced most of the castle staff to ease up on around him. He’d asked to have his breakfast brought to his office with the excuse that he had some work to catch up on. The truth was, Yuri was afraid to face the rest of the castle residents. A good number of them had a significant reason to be angry with him and something inside of him crawled in discomfort at the idea of being in a room full of angry people. It was cowardice, it was spineless, in a word it was wimpy. In many ways, he knew Wolfram had him pegged correctly when determining the basic reasoning behind his actions. Yet, in the years since he had first come to Shin Makoku, he’d grown more of a spine than he ever though he would have on Earth. A decade ago, he may have had typical boyhood dreams of becoming a professional baseball player, but he knew he was much more likely to end up as a nameless cog in some corporation at best.

Being the monarch of a country on another world was so far away from the way he pictured his life that sometimes he still expected to wake up from the longest dream ever. If it hadn’t been for the people who had surrounded him upon his entry to this world, he wouldn’t have been able to adjust and deal with the situation. Conrart provided a link to the world he knew and grounded him in world he was still trying to fully understand. Gwendal never stopped reminding him that his actions had the power to change the lives of everyone in Shin Makoku and often the rest of this world. Gunter was always a source of information and one hell of a confidence boost when he needed it. Really, everyone at the castle helped him make the transition and he wanted to do the best for them in return. And even though he didn’t want to think about it, he still wasn’t sure how to best repay the person who had helped him the most. Wolfram always seemed to know when Yuri needed to be encouraged and when he needed to be told off for doing something stupid. However, Yuri never could figure out what Wolfram needed or even what the blond wanted. Every attempt he’d made so far had backfired and it looked like his most recent attempt was heading down that same path.

Yuri wasn’t lying when he told Gunter his reasons for breaking off the engagement; he may have over emphasized the idea of getting a queen but marrying a woman was normal. And above all Yuri wanted to be normal. The Maou knew it wasn’t normal for two men to be together, he learned that when he was little. He’d heard the news reports of people being bullied, beaten, and even killed just for loving someone of the same sex. Sure people tried to say that society was becoming more accepting but Yuri’s experience didn’t reflect that. One of his classmates ‘came out’ shortly before they entered high school. Some of the girls thought it was cute and fawned over the boy for a while, but the guys weren’t so accepting. Yuri had the misfortune of walking in to the locker room while some of the guys were 're-educating' him. The poor kid had the beginnings of a black eye, blood dripping down from a broken nose, and his attackers didn’t seem to be slowing down.

The same instinct that had caused Yuri to step in when Murata was being bullied lead to an attempt to stop the beating. He’d ended up with a black eye of his own and the advice to stay away from the 'faggots' unless he was one. As shameful as he knew it to be, Yuri followed that advice in an attempt not to stand out any more than he normally did. Yuri still wasn’t sure why he hadn’t fought harder to get out of the engagement when it first happened. There was always some convenient excuse to hide behind in the beginning, something keeping him so busy that he couldn’t find time to end it. The longer it went on the more comfortable the situation became. Yuri had someone who was fiercely loyal, always available, and able to accept most of his faults. Wolfram never pushed for a wedding, the blond might have made damn sure Yuri didn’t cheat but that was all.

Yuri had been honestly surprised when he first heard the whispered conversations that seemed to stop abruptly when his presence became known. He never really understood the appeal of gossip but he knew enough about it to listen when it concerned him. Forewarned is forearmed and all that. The things the castle staff whispered about Wolfram made Yuri see red when he first heard them. He may never have intended to marry the blond but he couldn’t abide by the horrible names Wolfram was given. They called him the Maou’s whore on good days and speculated on what horrors must lay under his uniform on worse days. Somehow, Yuri managed to keep from unleashing a new kind of justice on those he caught gossiping about his blond friend. However, the whole thing got him thinking. In the end, it seemed that all the rumors stemmed from the length and cool nature of their engagement. Yuri had been pretty sure that he needed to end it to give Wolfram a chance to regain some of the dignity that he’d lost during the engagement. His latest trip to Earth and knowledge that his brother was dating simply spurred him into action.

Given his track record, Yuri should have known that his attempt to make something better for Wolfram would backfire. Now if Gunter’s predictions were anywhere near correct the rumors would only get worse. Yuri had hoped that he’d be able to pull off a semi-public ending of the engagement where in he could have demonstrated his immense respect for Wolfram, even if he didn’t want to marry him. So naturally he tripped, after all it made sense in his screwy relationship with Wolfram.

So now, all that was left was damage control. Well that and figuring out how to get rid of a glass of glowing green ‘juice’ before Sangria came back to take his dishes.

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Gunter woke slowly, still entangled with his lover. It was a rare, but pleasant, event for them to spend the whole night together. Gunter took in the sight of Gwendal’s sleeping form, laughing a bit inside at the worry line permanently etched between the younger Mazoku’s eyes. Despite wanting to nuzzle back into the soft pillows, he knew morning was rapidly approaching and they couldn’t afford to sleep in.

“Gwen, wake up,” Gunter spoke softly into Gwendal’s ear. The only response was a half-formed grunt of dissatisfaction from the still sleeping man. “Rise and shine love,” again no viable response, “If you don’t wake up, I’ll be forced to take drastic measures.” When Gwendal remained steadfastly asleep, Gunter gave a mental shrug and leaped on top of him.

“OOF! What… huh? Gunter?” Gwendal spluttered, clearly not at his best when first woken.

“And just who else would you expect to find in your bed Lord Voltaire?” Gunter’s eyes sparkled with mirth at Gwendal’s confusion. Gwendal blinked slowly a few times before processing Gunter’s question and answering.

“I could hope that it wouldn’t be some overly energetic morning person.”

“Always have hope, but it looks like you’re stuck with me for the moment.” Gunter feigned melancholy at the idea.

“I suppose you’ll do,” Gwendal spoke as he finally regained the coordination sleep had robbed him of and flipping their positions, pinning the older man to the bed.

“What, here, now?” Gunter joked lustfully as he wiggled under Gwendal’s weight.

“Mmm if only we had the time,” Gwendal glared at the light just barely seeping in to the room, “We’ll have to hurry not to be late to breakfast.”

“Ah, always so sensible,” Gunter pouted playfully, “A kiss then?”

“How can I resist?” Gwendal leaned down and softly pressed his lips to Gunter’s. The older man had no intention of only receiving a chaste kiss and laced his fingers into Gwendal’s dark grey hair. A small sound of disapproval came from Gwendal before he assented and turned the kiss to a deeper kind. Their tongues danced languidly, enjoying the intimacy they so rarely indulged in outside of the night’s embrace. The kiss ended more quickly than they would have liked, but time waits for no man and they had duties to perform.

“You know… sometimes I really want to slap you.” Gwendal spoke as he stared down at his relaxed lover. He was rewarded with the familiar mild disappointment when Gunter tensed up and looked away.

“Gwen… I… you know that’s,” Gunter stammered vaguely.

“Shh I know. Like you said you have to have hope. Just promise me you’ll let me know if you’re ever ready.” Gwendal watched as Gunter relaxed slightly before nodding slightly in acquiescence. Gwendal slid off the bed and subsequently Gunter and began dressing for the day. Gunter remained in bed a few moments longer, watching as his lover donned his uniform. It was an odd thing to watch, each piece of cloth seemed to create not only a barrier around his skin but his soul as well. Gunter wasn’t sure if he was glad that he got to see the unguarded version of Gwendal or sad that the man felt compelled to keep so much of the world at an arm’s length. As Gwendal started fastening his jacket together, he glanced over at Gunter still on the bed. One eyebrow lifted in amusement, Gunter flushed lightly at the implication and began getting ready as well. He would have been surprised to find that Gwendal’s thoughts mirrored his own from a few moments before. Tucking his hair back into its usual style, Gwendal finished dressing first and made his way to the door. He nodded at Gunter with a small smile before slipping out into the hall. Gunter let out a small sigh, knowing that the short conversation they had his morning would likely be the most social conversation Gwendal would engage in all day. Love and all its trappings aside, Gunter finished readying himself for the day, left a note for the maid that usually cleaned Gwendal’s rooms, and headed for the dinning room.

Breakfast was a lively affair as Gunter walked in the room. Yuri was noticeably absent and it seemed everyone was taking this as an opportunity to catch up on gossip. Gwendal sat quietly eating, not participating but being sure to absorb as much of the conversations as he could. Anissina gestured wildly as she explained the mechanics of her newest invention idea to end the stupidity of men to Greta as she pushed the food on her plate about, glancing at the doorway every few seconds to see if either of her fathers had arrived. Yozak and Conrart whispered spoke quietly; exaggerated expressions flew over the orange haired man’s face at the conversation. Murata took turns observing everyone and making strange comments to a mildly scowling Gisela. Gunter took a seat and was quickly served.

“You see it will be a behavioral modification device, the subject receives a mild shock whenever they make a decision based either purely of the mind or purely of the heart. Of course there’s always the problem of setting the device to read the thought process of the individual, but I’m sure to come up with a solution.” As Anissina spoke, Gunter and the other male Mazoku at the table made a mental note to avoid her more than usual.

“Brilliant idea my Lady, but how would a decision based on loyalty or the keeping of a promise register?” The words Murata spoke were accompanied by a sidelong glance at Gisela.

“Ah a good question! Hum well if the subject pledged his loyalty or made the promise under the influence of No-More-Heartless-or-Logic-less-Choices-kun, then it should register as a sound action to act toward the benefit of the pledge or promise. However, if the pledge or promise was made without the device, then any choices made to honor said pledge or promise should register as freely made choices and would be judged as such.”

“What if the subject made a particularly strong promise, like say a blood oath, without the device but is then compelled to keep the promise once the device is in use?” Murata watched as Gisela tensed up at his words.

“Well then I suppose the subject best hope that the decisions they make are sound, or endure the consequences as a reminder not to make such a binding oath under the guidance of the mind or heart alone.” Puffing up slightly, Anissina smirked with surety that her point had been made. Horror etched it’s way across Gwendal and Gunter’s faces, Murata was actually encouraging Anissina. However, the only reaction Murata was interested in was Gisela’s.

He’d spent the morning trying to see if the healer really did know something about Wolfram’s dilemma. She had been cross with Yuri before the engagement had ended, and it was well know that she and Wolfram were longtime friends. She hadn’t volunteered any information or insights. However, judging by her reactions to any mention of promises and his own experiences with the blond prince, Wolfram had managed to include Gisela in the people he’d extracted silence promises out of. What worried Murata the most was the healer’s nervous reaction to his mentioning of blood oaths, a powerful binding that forced one to adhere to the letter of the oath. If Wolfram had manage to convince her to make such a thing then the likelihood of getting her to let slip what she knew to the others went from slim to none. He hoped that she was smart enough to have some sort of loophole in the oath.

Nonetheless, Murata felt that, once again, he was responsible for trying to do something to make the others aware of the situation without breaking his own promise. The plans he was coming up with weren’t the nicest but sometimes being nice just didn’t cut it.

Gunter wasn’t sure he liked the way Murata was acting towards his daughter. Especially not with the less that pleasant expression that had appeared on the Sage’s face. His sweet little daughter, and he dared anyone to claim her as anything else, looked much like she did whenever he caught her sneaking about as a child. He made a mental note to see if he could figure out what she was up to, before she got herself into too much trouble. But first, of course, he had to see to whatever had kept his darling Heika from attending breakfast. The rest of the meal passed without incident and the dinners parted ways to tend to their duties.

Gunter spent the walk to Yuri’s study mentally preparing to tone down his flirtations. It was one thing to flirt so openly with a man obviously taken, but now that Heika was no longer engaged people might actually expect him make a move on the young Maou. It was surprising that Little Lord Brat had allowed Gunter’s behavior at all, but Gunter knew Wolfram didn’t see him as a threat considering his not so secret involvement with the blond’s older brother. Gwendal liked to pretend that no one knew they were together, but really, it was the most well known secret in the castle and had kept suitors from approaching either man for years.

The heavy wooden doors that lead to Yuri’s office loomed in front of Gunter. He took one last deep breath before shoving the door open wildly.

“HEIKA!” Gunter shouted in his usual fashion as he entered the room. His eyes immediately found Yuri, pouring something in to a potted plant. Gunter ignored both the odd scene and the frightened squeak Yuri let out. “Oh thank heavens!! I was so worried when Heika didn’t grant us his presence this morning! Surely the gods are smiling down on us, that you are still well!” One or two papers flew about as Gunter twirled happily about the room. A pair of black eyes watched with shock at the scene. It wasn’t until Gunter was picking up the minor mess he’d made that Yuri shook himself out of his surprised state

“Gunter, um yea of course I’m fine… You wouldn’t know any reason why I shouldn’t be fine, right?” Panic set in for the Maou, imagining all sorts of horrible plots that might be afoot.

“Well no Heika, none that I am aware of. I shall advise the guard to be on high alert if you are worried for your safety?”

“No, no that won’t be needed. I guess I’m just a little nervous how everyone is going to react to the whole… thing yesterday.” A nervous laugh worked its way from Yuri’s lips as he scratched the side of his head absently.

“Ah yes that, Heika if you have time there are a few things I feel it is necessary for you to know.”

“I,” Yuri gulped noticeably, “Sure, if you think it’s important, I’ve got the time.” He hoped desperately that Gunter wasn’t planning on telling him that something bad had happened.

“I’m sure Heika is aware of the nature of rumors, how quickly they spread, and just how far from the truth they tend to be,” Yuri nodded at his words. “Well your humble servant has chanced upon a new rumor that is both horrific and untrue,” a bead of sweat slid down Yuri’s brow but Gunter continued anyway. “They are saying that… that Heika made an attempt on Lord Bielefeld’s life as a means of breaking your engagement.” Yuri was momentarily struck dumb at the emotions Gunter’s words evoked. On one hand he was relived that Wolfram wasn’t taking the brunt of the rumor mill yet and on the other hand he couldn’t believe that his people would consider him capable of such a thing.
“Wh… WHAT!? How could anybody think I’d want Wolfram dead?! Fiancé or not he’s still my best friend! Ah man this is just getting worse and worse. What do I do to get people to stop saying something so stupid?”

“Heika… unfortunately there is very little too be done to stop such gossip, unless you are willing to arrest everyone heard speaking about it.”

“Eh no. Argh, sometimes I miss Earth, if this happened to a leader there he’d just call a press conference and sort the whole thing out.” Yuri sighed petulantly before slumping into his chair.

“Oh dear, I wasn’t aware your home world employed such torture methods, and to do it amongst a group of people.” Shocked horror etched its way across Gunter’s face at the images Yuri’s words had conjured.

“… What? Torture? I don’t think we’re having the same conversation. What do you think I was talking about?” A less than subtle throbbing started behind the young Maou’s eyes.

“Pressing, Heika, is a torture method in which one has heavy stones placed on his or her chest to restrict breathing; it can even result in death.” It was Yuri’s turn to look horrified at Gunter’s words.

“That is so not what I was talking about. The press on Earth is a group of people basically dedicated to finding the truth and sharing it with others. So, a press conference is when someone invites the press to hear their version of the truth.”

“Heika’s home world certainly has many wonderful traditions.” Gunter’s eyes began to glaze over as he contemplated the idea of a press conference.

“Uh, I wouldn’t really call it a tradition.” Mild fear rose up in Yuri; Gunter was known to hug the Maou when that look entered his eyes. In fact, the advisers arms were already widening to fling around Yuri when a thought crossed his mind and stopped him dead in his tracks.

“Oh Heika as always you are a veritable genius. I’ll start preparations immediately!” With those words, Gunter spun on his heel and raced out of the room. Yuri was left staring at the still ajar door with an utterly confused look on his face. Whatever Gunter had decided to do wasn’t likely to bode well for Yuri. It took a few minutes for Yuri to come to his senses and go close the door. As the door thudded firmly against the door jam, Yuri turned his mind to what he needed to do. Murata had given him a plan but Yuri still needed to enact it. He’d been wimpy enough during the whole situation. Yuri would tell Wolfram about the exploration Murata wanted to engage in, if the Maou didn’t have the courage to do that himself then he might as well tattoo wimp on his forehead.

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AN: Worse chapter ever, two rewrites and I still hate it but I didn’t want to make anybody wait any longer. Blegh XP Chapters are gonna be slow coming till after May, why oh why did I think making 4 costumes was a good idea ;_;