Dreams of Amber

Chapter 16: It's going to get Sticky

The familiar weight of the sword gripped firmly in his hand was a comfort, calming the turmoil present within him. With fluid grace that seemed almost thoughtless, he moved through every basic stance that he had learned, concentration and focus keeping him on his feet, his senses spread out and alert. The burning coming from stretched muscles made his nerves sing, ignoring the prickling feeling of sweat running down his neck to his back. He gradually up the ante of his swordplay: a twist of his wrist brought his sword down in a slash, immediately followed by quick successions of thrusts and jabs, suddenly dodging and rolling away from an imaginary blow before swinging his sword around towards his imaginary opponent, expecting to hit nothing but air.

So it came as a shock when metal met metal, the unexpected clash of blades making his ears ring, jarring him harshly back to the present plane. He instinctively leaped back, distancing himself from the possible danger threatening his life. It took him a good while to realise who he was staring at before he lowered his sword and straightened. "Gwendal," Haru acknowledged.

The man lowered his own blade in turn, his stoic gaze even more unreadable as usual as his fiancé averted his eyes to flick residual morning dew off his sword. "Haru," he began. "It is unusual to see you up this early. Did you have trouble sleeping?"

Yeah, and it's because of you, thought Haru ruefully, though he kept quiet in favour of rolling the kinks out of his shoulder. Ever since he was gifted with the flower and doll, courtesy from Gwendal, more began to start coming in every time he stepped out. Each item would be different everyday – elegant, whimsical handcrafts, unique flowers, simple jewelleries inlaid with precious stones suited for men – and always accompanied by a knitted doll. All these began to fill up the empty bookcase in his room, displayed for all who step inside, that he feared that he might have to request for another one if this kept up.

He also kept telling himself that he shouldn't accept them, that he should turn them away and not give out false hopes by keeping them. But then again, he mused, he couldn't very well return them – much less give them away without crassly hurting the older man's heart from his actions, in turn triggering a certain blonde's wrath at the same time. This argument bounced back and forth in his mind every single time he put away another gift onto the shelf, fighting to be prevailed at the forefront of his thoughts. His mind went round and round with the things that were said and done between them, contributing to his nearly sleepless nights that added more to his confusion and the ache in his chest. Before he knew it, every thought began to revolve around the man in some way and he found himself coming to anticipate, looking forward even, to what would be on his bed the next day behind that closed door, much to his utter chagrin.

Gwendal watched as Haru slowly drifted into deep thought, a frown making his nose scrunched up adorably. He made to take a step towards him, not to disturb but to be near, only to stop short when the other instantly took a step back and grimaced. Haru managed not to give in to the urge to scramble away like mad, all the while hitting his head against the wall of his mind. He did not need to look up to see the definite furrow of brows on his mentor's face to know that the other had caught that reflexive action.

The man stared at him for a while, but made no comment, much to Haru's relief. That was short-lived however, when Gwendal motioned for him to lift his sword, taking an offensive stance. He had barely done so when Gwendal launched towards him, swinging his sword down across his front. Haru immediately raised his sword up to block the blow, gritting his teeth under the pressure pushing heavily upon him. He swept his legs out, intending to unbalance his mentor but that action was seen through and his kick barely brushed against the other's uniform as he leaped back to avoid it. Haru sprinted after him, using his smaller build to his advantage, dodging under the blade before trying to catch Gwendal off guard with a jab of the hilt to his ribs. Gwendal grunted, stumbling a little but did not budged. Instead, Haru found himself having to roll out of the way to avoid the same treatment, only to the head.

This continued on for who knows how long, blades being parried and whirled around in graceful arcs, not once hitting flesh. All they could hear now were their heavy breathing above resounding clangs, their hearts beating loudly in their ears. Gwendal had to admit that he was impressed, both by the teen's skills and speed, which more than made up for his lack of strength. Although not as up to par as Gunter's or Conrad's, Haru had a quick mind and reacted to each situation with instinctive awareness that surprised him. Was all these really achieved in more than a month?

So busy was he in appraising Haru's potential, that he almost didn't noticed the oncoming blade threatening to cut his eye out. He tried to step back, his legs tangling with each other in his haste to escape, which then sent him careening towards his wide-eyed fiancé. They both fell with 'oomph', Haru's sounding more breathless from the nearly crushing weight above him while Gwendal was too winded to even feel embarrassed by his clumsiness. He was the first to recover though, and he lifted himself onto his elbows to relieve some of his weight off the teen and looked down in faint amusement. "Well...this was certainly not what I had in mind when I had only intended to spar with you, not that I'm complaining."

Haru's cheeks turned a faint pink, turning his head to the side to avoid looking into eyes of cobalt blue and muttered, "Get off me."

Gwendal merely resettled himself comfortably on his perch, letting himself a small chuckle when Haru snapped his head back to glare at his incompliance. He then slowly, as if any fast movement would scare the teen away as a cornered animal would, wrapped his arms around him, resting his head on top of soft emerald black locks with a sigh of content.

"What do you think you are doing? I said, get off me!" Haru whispered, looking around frantically for any potential passing spectators. They were at the inner garden, bare of any flowers or leaves, located at a deserted wing of Wincott's castle. But still if either a maid or soldier decided to come here...

"I am comfortable where I am, and don't worry about the servants," he said, having guessed what the anxious look in his face was all about. "I had specifically told them not to come here until I say so."

Haru turned to look sceptically at the man...well, he could only see his neck, oblivious that his warm breath against the cool skin was making the man shiver pleasurably. "What in god's name made you do that?"

Gwendal shifted until he was lying beside the teen, his arms still around the other, and eyes boring intensely into his fiance's face. "I love you," he suddenly said.

This made Haru blinked in stunned astonishment, not expecting to get a declaration from the man. And he couldn't look away this time, not when a large, callused hand was cupping his heated face, "G-Gwendal? Wha –?" He really, really wanted to back away as the other leaned in, closing the distance between them, but he was still encased in warm arms of steel and he could do no more than close his eyes and wait for the inevitable.

Gwendal had to smile at that, gently, almost teasingly brushing their noses together, his breath washing over Haru's face. He then trailed down towards his ear and after a moment's pause of suspension he whispered, "Would you go to the ball with me?"

Silence. Was that crickets?

"Excuse me?"

This sentiment was repeated when Yuri was told about the ball that will be held in a week's time to improve relations between human and mazoku races. "Why are we still having it when the chances of having an evil nobleman and his sidekick coming after your soul and wrecking havoc amongst my people are at an all time high?" he questioned, Wolfram standing beside him with a scowl to show his own displeasure at the danger his fiancé would be subjected to.

Gunter sighed. "I do not like the idea either, your Majesty, but postponing it to a later date is also a course of action I would not recommend. Seeing as invitations has already been sent out before this whole...incident, and having received favourable responses in return, postponing or canceling the ball would only inform them that all is unwell in the kingdom, causing unrest and possible discord. Some of those who may still hold some resentment towards our race might also take advantage of it and create a mutiny against us, or even, Great One forbid, join Lord's Nightsworth army. We cannot take any chances of another war breaking out."

"War will break out anyway if that traitorous piece of slime gets his hands on Yuri and Haru!" Wolfram snarled. "Involving more people into the fray would just end being troublesome! And if we leave, who is going to protect the artifact's here? If he sent out monsters like the first two times, then –,"

Yuri bit his lips thoughtfully, having a faraway look in his eyes that set him apart from the bickering around him, his fingers drumming against the table. Conrad watched him inquisitively, noting the movement of his eyes before he ventured, "Yuri?"

The young king looked up to see everyone's eyes on him. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, feeling more than heard his...lover (he couldn't help but blush at the term) moving back to his side. After a moment or two, he opened them and turning serious onyx eyes to every occupant in the room. "...I've decided. The ball between our two races shall go on." He held up a hand to stop any oncoming protests from Wolfram. "Gunter is right. Holding off the ball would only lead to doubts and fear, which is what Lord Nightsworth would want. I will not give him the satisfaction of seeing me hide away while those I care for are left to their defences. What sort of Maou would I be if I were to leave such an impression onto my people?"

"A live one," Wolfram mumbled, crossing his arms. "But as always, you will be all self-sacrificing for the sake of peace and go running off into trouble, again." he added, disgruntled. Yuri gave him a sheepish, reassuring smile to appease him before turning his attention back to the room. "Prepare everything for our return. Do what is necessary to ensure the protection of Blood Pledge Castle as well as the Wincott's. I want every soldier to be on high alert and at the ready at all times."

"Yes, your Majesty." replied Gunter and Conrad in unison, briskly leaving the study to complete their given tasks. Lord Odell remained behind to discuss a few things regarding the aid that will be given before leaving as well. Once the door was shut, Yuri slumped down into his seat, ready to melt away into a puddle of weary goo.

"Are you alright?" Yuri opened one eye to look up at the blonde, meeting concerned emeralds.

"I'm fine, just wished that all this would be over soon."

"It will. It always does, sooner or later, in the end."

"I want it sooner, before anymore people could suffer."

"I know," Wolfram glanced down at him, contemplating on something. Yuri was beginning to doze when he felt something heavy landed on his lap. He peered out from beneath his lids...only to have them snapped wide open at the blonde now straddling his lap.

"Wolfram! What are you – what do – why – people might see!" Yuri began to splutter, scrambling up from his slumped position with more than slight difficulty.

This was only met with a huff and smirked. "Let them, it'll shows them who's mine." At the glare and pout he received, he went and kissed him gently on the lips. "I'm more worried about you. You've been overworking yourself lately. You need rest."

"I'll be fine –,"

"Until you collapse from over-exhaustion!" he snapped, though quickly gathered himself back from giving a full lashing and pinch the bridge of his nose, uncaring of their compromising position, to Yuri's utter blushing mortification. "You have done what you can already. All we need to do now is wait and return to the castle."

"...Yeah."

"...We're going home."

"You miss Greta too?"

"Of course I miss her! She's my daughter! What are you trying to imply?"

"I'm implying nothing! I'm just...happy, that's all. I rarely get to see her nowadays. I'm lucky that she's so understanding..."

"She's turning out to be a great lady, that's for certain." A pause, "And you'll be helping me fight off her suitors."

"She's still young, Wolfram."

"Hmph, doesn't mean that we couldn't prepare. Do you want her to end up with a cheater or a pervert? ...Maybe I should personally train her how to fight, go for where it hurts...yeah, that would be good..."

Before Yuri could intervene into Wolfram's mumbled planning, a set of knocks was heard and then the door to the study opened as a maid stepped inside, "Your Majesty, lunch has...been...prepared..." She trailed off when she registered the scene before her, both young men staring at her with different expressions: one with irritated anger and another with frozen horrification. Then everything hit her and she turned a frightening shade of red, quickly bowing and said, "I'm s-s-sorry, I d-didn't realise your M-Majesty is b-b-busy and – and – and – EXCUSE ME!" With that she turned and shut the door with a click.

"..."

"..."

"...I'm holding you responsible."

"Me? You're the one who sat in my lap!"

A week has passed, and the ball was underway. Kings, queens and important dignitaries swarmed into the castle, light flooding out from the castle into the wide lawn where a table of food was set out especially for the commoners; laughter, singing and praises falling out from their lips as much as they drank their wine and beer. Inside, guests admired the grandeur of the throne room they were in, decorations and golden red tapestries adorning the stone walls brightly. Groups of women here and there whispered and giggled behind dainty gloves, casting discreet, coy glances at the men that caught their fancy. The men themselves talked up a storm, with wine glasses in hand they went around the sea of people like ships before settling themselves on topics that interest them.

Then one by one everyone fell silent, their eyes on the host of this ball who had stood up from his seat. As soon as he was sure that he caught everyone's attention, he cleared his throat and spoke, his voice ringing loud and clear in the vast room, "Greetings to all my honoured guests, Shin Makoku welcomes and appreciates your presence on this night where ties shall be created and strengthened. As your humble host, allow me to give a toast, to the peace and unity that will be!"

"To peace and unity!"

"Please, help yourself to the food and drinks and enjoy yourselves tonight!" With that, Yuri stepped down amidst thunderous applause, heaving out a sigh. He really disliked giving speeches. Throughout the next five minutes, he made his way around the room, introducing himself and striking up polite conversation as customary with his two sentinels (Conrad and Wolfram) right behind him. When his hand felt like it was going to fall off from all the shaking, his eyes spotted that of his cousin's tensed form leaning against the far side of the room, nearly hidden from curious, prying eyes behind a giant potted plant. Excusing himself as well as waving his retainers away for a moment, he began to walk towards the 'wallflower', grinning when his arrival alerted Haru to his approach. "Hey Haru, not enjoying the party I see?"

Haru gave a rare, petulant pout, showing Yuri how annoyed he was by everything. "...I hate crowds."

"I can see that. Just be thankful that you don't really have to dress up much," he grinned, deliberately ignoring the glare thrown his way. Haru turned away in a huff to take in the people in the throne room, pausing when he recognized a familiar child in the crowd. "How is Greta, by the way?"

"She's fine, as cheerful as can be." Yuri replied, though something in his heart worried him. When she ran up to greet him as usual when he came back, when he returned her hug, something just didn't seem...right – as if the person he's holding wasn't his daughter but someone else entirely. He shook the uneasy feeling away as soon as it had come, but traces of doubt still lingered like twisting mist.

"Yuri, what's wrong?"

"Ah, it's nothing. Just thinking too much into things," The dark-haired brunette then looked around, aware of the absence of another that was supposed to be there. "Where's Gwendal?"

His cousin frowned even more at the mention of the name, Yuri noticed, and he couldn't help but reach out and poke him in the forehead. "You really shouldn't frown so much or else you would like Gwendal on his 'good' days."

Haru snorted in amusement, easing up a little under his cousin's presence. "He went to get a drink...and also check up on his guards stationed around the area." He then cocked his head to the side curiously. "I didn't know you do speeches like that."

"I don't, really. Gunter wrote it down and had me memorize it." Yuri followed the other's example and leaned against the wall. "So..."

"So?"

"...How's everything? With you and Gwendal, I mean" Again the expression returned on Haru's features, his body now slightly hunched over as if wanting to hide from the world, "Is it really that bad?"

"Not to say that it's bad but...Hey, Yuri, I was thinking..." The amber-eyed teen glanced around, biting his lower lip in a show of uncertainty. "Maybe I should...call the engagement off."

"You're going to ca –"

"SHH! Not so loud! I don't want that blonde fiancé of yours to hear!"

"B-But why? What about those gifts he sent you? You kept them too, right?"

"Do you think me so callous as to throw them back in his face? I have more sense than that! But no, I will not drag this on any longer. I'm going to end it. I'll take him aside and tell him that he deserves better, better than what I can give and do not have –,"

"Woah, woah, woah, hold up there!" Yuri grabbed Haru's shoulders, forcing the other to face him. "Does that mean...does that mean you don't care for Gwendal? You feel nothing at all for him?"

Haru stared up at him, mouth opened to answer only to close it again when he couldn't give a reply. He sighed, and then tried again, "I...respect him." When he saw that Yuri wasn't satisfied with that answer, he tried to dig up everything he knew about the man, "He's...nice, like...a bear?" he mumbled the last part.

Yuri blinked, just as confused with the given analogy, "A bear?"

He watched as his cousin rubbed the back of his neck, looking as if he wished to be anywhere but here in this conversation. "Well, bears are solitary creatures. They growl and bark but never to hurt, most of the time. It is only when their family or territory is threatened that they will react fiercely; anything to protect what is theirs." And he's warm, but he would keep that tidbit to himself.

The pause between them seemed excruciatingly long, for Haru anyway. Yuri then began to laugh, low enough not to attract attention to them, "Wow, it really does sound like Gwendal! And such knowledge you have on bears, too. Do you like them?"

"...I just happened upon a website about them when I was doing my assignment, that's all."

"Right..." Yuri's smiled, but his eyes were serious. "So, you're really not going to give him a chance?"

His cousin jerked up, eyes wide at the notion, and the deeper meaning behind it, "C-Chance?"

"Hey, everyone deserves a chance or two. I know I did, and so could you. It's just the difference on whether you're going to take up on it or not." Yuri shrugged. "Give the big guy a chance at least, okay? You already said he's a nice person."

"I –,"

"Oh my God, is that his Majesty? Yoohoo!"

"He's so cute~ who's the one beside him?"

"He's just as adorable! They both are!"

"Let's go greet them!"

"...Yuri..."

"Ah ha ha...I guess now would be a good time to escape?"

Squeals and giggles came closer from all sides. Haru pressed a hand to his head and groaned.

"...Too late."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room...

"Who are those darn human bitches think they're flirting with?"

"Wolfram..."

"Don't they know that Yuri is engaged? To me, prince and son to the previous Demon Queen? I should go over there and thrash it into their heads! In fact, I'm going to do just that!"

Conrad just sighed, reaching out a hand in time to pull his little brother back by the collar, much to Wolfram's agitation. "Wolfram, I don't think it's advisable to inflict bodily harm on the humans when this ball is all about getting along with them."

"As if I care! Can't you see what – They're touching him! They actually dare to touch him! Let me go, Conrad! I'm going to rip their limbs off –,"

"What is going on here?" Gwendal looked down at the struggling Wolfram, his eyebrow raised. "Do I want to know?"

Conrad sighed again. "A group of ladies, ah, accosted, his Majesty because of his cuteness."

"And they are going to pay for it!"

"Wolfram, calm yourself. Such rash actions are unbecoming of your station." Gwendal said, rubbing his temples at the migraine he's bound to have soon. He really hated social events...

The blonde stopped struggling for a moment to peer up at him. "You wouldn't say that if you know that those same ladies are flirting and touching your fiancé too."

The man froze, his eyes narrowed as he slowly looked across to where he had left the teen. His gaze then sharpened, glaring at the hand that was touching Haru's chest, make its seductive trail down dangerously close to his belt, and then to the two pair of hands that were clinging to his sides like leeches. When one actually took a lock of hair and twirled it around almost intimately, he snapped. "Excuse me..." he growled, storming his way across the dance floor, the crowd quickly parting like waves when they sensed the dangerous aura crackling around him.

"...Can I go now?"

Haru flinched as his personal bubble was totally violated, but the woman paid no mind, instead leaning closer still until her lashes touched his cheek. "Hey, what's your name, dear?"

"I wanted to ask him that!"

"Too bad, I asked first! Go and find another!"

"Excuse me, um, ladies, could you –,"

"Stop hogging him to yourself!"

"As if you're not going to if I let go!"

Haru resisted the urge to tear himself away and run all the way back to his room. He looked to the side to see if Yuri had better luck than he does, but his predicament was no better. "Are they always like this here?"

"Ack ! – Stop pulling please – Huh? Oh, yeah. Women here are independent, as well as viciou –uh, fierce-willed. Conrad said something about us being too hot here or something."

"...Great."

Then everybody around him fell silent. Well, only the women around them, the other guests weren't even aware what was going on. A shadow fell upon them and he looked up to see Gwendal towering over him, his arms crossed and eyes icy with restrained rage that he could see was burning underneath the neutrality. He swallowed, suddenly feeling sorry for the women. He could also see Wolfram coming their way, his anger much more openly displayed than his brother.

"Pardon me, ladies, I would very much appreciate that you unhand my fiancé...please." was said calmly, though Gwendal felt anything but. How dare they? How dare they touched what was his? His jaw tightened considerably and his hand twitched at the side, wanting very much to reach for his sword and cut their hands off. If his mind was not so clouded with jealousy and anger, he would have been appalled for thinking such murderous thoughts against women when he was taught to respect them by both his mother and Anissina, but right now, he could care less.

Fortunately, the women weren't stupid. They recognized danger when they saw one, especially when one looked as if he would like nothing more than slam them six feet under. Pale and shaking, they let go and immediately scurried away to safe vicinity with as much grace and dignity as they could muster. Haru blinked at the sudden absence of pressure on both his arms, his mind still not catching up with what just happened. He was then startled when a large hand cupped his cheek, bringing his face up to meet now soft, cobalt blue eyes.

"Are you alright?" Gwendal asked gently, discreetly looking him over as much as his eyes could see. Haru blushed at the attention and ducked his head, nodding. With his eyes on the floor, he did not see the small smile spreading across the other's lips. He did, however, felt the kiss placed on his hair and his blush darkened.

"Unhand my fiance, you harlots!" an angry voice shouted beside them. Haru could hear Gwendal groan above him and he watched as Wolfram tore Yuri away from the group that were still there, green eyes burning with such intensity that he had to look down at the blonde's hand to make sure that they weren't on fire. "Do you hear me? He's my fiancé! I would very much like it if you keep your hands to yourself! Now SCAT!"

Yuri had never seen anyone run so fast before, and though he was glad for the timely intervention from being smothered (molested), duty and habit have him turned reproachful eyes to the blonde, "Wolfram, you scared our guests. I don't think their chaperons would be happy if word gets out."

Wolfram scoffed. "They should count themselves lucky that's all I did. I could challenge them into a duel for your hand and let me assure you, just because they're humans, doesn't mean I'll go easy on them. They'll have a taste of my blade and fire!"

Scary...thought Yuri and Haru, sweat dropping at the sight of Wolfram's furious declaration.

A sudden crash of glass rang throughout the room, followed by yells and screams as columns of smoke exploded across the floor. Yuri, Haru and Wolfram coughed, trying to see through the thick screen, while Gwendal stood protectively over them, sword unsheathed. One shrill scream was heard above the rest, turning Yuri's and Wolfram's blood cold with dread and horror.

"PAPA!"

"GRETA! GRETA!" Yuri hollered, straining his eyes to see above the clouded haze. He then caught sight of a shadowed silhouette, running towards the broken window with someone over its shoulder. He ran after them, ignoring cries of his name as he crashed and tumbled over the many people in his way. All he could focus on was that receding shadow, taking his daughter farther away with every distance he covered. The shadow then reached the window. In one last ditch attempt to save her, Yuri made a leaping jump, desperately reaching his hand out to catch the figure. But it was too late – the shadow jumped out the window, Yuri's fingers only brushing against the edges of his cloak. He crashed onto the floor, unmindful of the stinging of glass cutting into his hand or the blood running down them, not even the concern, frightened voices around him. All he could think about was that they took Greta, they took his daughter and he had failed to protect her.

"Greta..."

Amidst the chaos and panic, a piece of paper floated innocently down, down, down, on to the broken, jagged glasses and splatters of blood.

Thank you for the wait! I hope you enjoy the story. I know I've been slow in my updating but I have work being thrown at me left and write that I didn't have time to even type a full sentence much less a paragraph. Please forgive me and review!