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koko ni boku ga shirusu eien
Here, I will write it, forever
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"And they all lived happily ever after because Anissina-heika was a noble and gracious dictator. The end."

Lieven looked at Greta with a kind of stupefied horror. "And you say this book is one of a series?"

"Yup! It's the most popular children's series on sale. Where do you think Anissina gets the money for all her inventions?" Greta cocked her head to the side in calculated innocence. "Do you really have to go already?"

"Yeah." To be honest, Lieven was looking forward to leaving. Two days of watching Yuuri and Wolfram moon over each other, then notice Lieven and try to tone it down (unsuccessfully), was more than enough. "Make your dad take you to Grantz sometime for a visit, though, kay?"

"Mmm…" Greta looked at him curiously. "Can Yuuri come too?"

Clever brat. "I'm sure I would never dictate to the Maou where he can go." Although he had some ideas…

Greta looked a little sad. "I think he just wants everyone to be friends."

Of course he did. Never let it be said that Shibuya Yuuri, 27th Maou of Shin Makoku was anything less than a gracious winner. It was harder to be a gracious loser. The worst part was when he'd tried to leave right after Wolfram came and told him what he'd decided. Yuuri… gracious Yuuri, had refused to let him leave for two days. Two very long days. Lieven had a vague idea how awkward it must have been for Wolfram these past three years, everyone offering unwanted pity or poorly hidden scorn. At least in Grantz he'd be scolded for his failure and then they'd leave it alone. Here, his every step was dogged by whispering servants and snickering guards. It made him wish he had Wolfram's reputation and could afford to completely lose his temper.

He didn't, though. He spent his time subtly avoiding Yuuri and Wolfram, and in frequent conference with Waltorana.

His initial joke that Waltorana was single, wasn't he? hadn't gone over well. But Waltorana was surprisingly sympathetic, probably the only person in the whole castle who thought that Wolfram had chosen poorly. Lieven'd heard about what had happened when Waltorana had confronted Wolfram about that, and it hadn't been pretty. Of course, Waltorana just brushed that off as Wolfram being Wolfram and, indeed, the next day Wolfram acted as though nothing had happened.

The fact that Yuuri was always with him might have been the needed distraction.

Yuuri had forbidden Waltorana from leaving as well. He hadn't seemed upset, although even Lieven had to admit he had some reason to be. He mostly seemed giddy. All the time. He'd been high-handed and inappropriate, but in such a good-natured way that it was impossible to take offence.

And, of course, he was the Maou.

And now Greta was looking at him, a little worried. He scanned back in his mind what she'd just said. Oh, yes.

"And I'm sure everyone wants to be friends with him." It was possibly the weakest, most meaningless response he could have made. He sighed. "Never mind that. Let's focus on the important things. Like… they let children read these books?"

Greta giggled, willing to be distracted. "I grew up on these books, Lieven-kaka. Are you saying there's something wrong with me?"

"Ah, no…" Dear Shinou, she'd be hell to face across a negotiation table. "I'm sure that your incredibly sweet nature carried you through."

"Well, thank you so much, kaka," Greta simpered, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously at him. He grinned and shook his head. She was about fifty years too early. Or… what was that in human terms? Five? Ten?

"Greta stop flirting. Your eyes are making promises you won't want to carry through." Wolfram's disapproving voice made Greta jump a little in surprise.

She turned the full power of her pout on her father. "But, Wolfram, it's just Lieven-kaka."

"Indeed." Wolfram's disapproval hadn't gone away. In fact, if anything, it was deeper than before. Lieven laughed weakly.

"Aw, Wolf, lighten up." Yuuri, as expected Lieven thought sourly, came up behind Wolfram and slid an arm around his waist, resting his head on Wolfram's shoulder. "She's just playing. And it's safe with Lieven."

Wolfram… melted. There wasn't another word for it, and Lieven had tried to find one. His voice was almost dreamy when he answered. "I know, but if she tries that with someone who wants to take advantage…"

"It's okay. Our daughter is smarter than that," Yuuri murmured, nuzzling lightly at Wolfram's neck. Lieven and Greta exchanged awkward glances, both wishing – for different reasons – they could be anywhere but here.

"Oh, right!" Yuuri tore himself away from Wolfram. "Lieven, there's something I want to show you and Waltorana-kaka before you leave. Do you think you'll have time?"

For a moment, Lieven was tempted to refuse, claiming that his priority was the literature discussion with the princess of Shin Makoku. But Yuuri would just laugh that off, and Wolfram would be peeved, so there was no point. "Of course. When?"

Yuuri seemed a little disheartened at Lieven's curt answer, but he could live with it. Maybe Wolfram could comfort him later.

"After lunch. In Gwendal's study." Yuuri tried to mimic Lieven's curt style. "You can leave right after, if you want, and Eve-san has promised to make something special for desert." And failed.

"I look forward to it," Lieven lied. Yuuri just smiled brightly and left, his arm still hooked around Wolfram's waist. Lieven's fists clenched. By themselves. They did that sometimes.

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"You're being paranoid."

"I am not." Yuuri insisted. "I've seen the way he looks at you. He'll deny it, he denied it before, but I think Lieven was really in love with you."

"That's… insane." Wolfram shook his head. "We've been friends for almost our entire lives. If he felt anything for me he'd have said or done something."

Yuuri shot a glance at Wolfram and decided to take a risk. "Didn't he try to do something when you were younger? When you got your first command?"

"How did you…" Wolfram shook his head. "A drunken offer to distract me doesn't mean anything. Especially from Lieven. We're just friends, and after he finds out about your plan for Shin Makoku and… and our plans… he'll be happy."

Yuuri wasn't convinced. "If I'm right, this might hurt him more than anything. Think of how you'd feel if I was with…" He stumbled for a name that wouldn't make Wolfram furious. "Dorcas?"

"…confused. I'd mostly feel confused," Wolfram answered with a small smile. Yuuri drew a breath to try again, but Wolfram waved him down. "No, I get your point. I just don't accept your premise. Lieven is not, and has never been, in love with me."

Yuuri was about to tear his hair out in exasperation. And people thought he was oblivious. "Let's ask around."

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"Probably."

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"Only for the past sixty years."

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"Yes. And don't glare like that, Wolfie, it'll ruin your complexion."

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"Keeping in mind that I've only known him on and off for about a year, I'd have to say it's as obvious as your feelings for Shibuya."

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"Why are you asking me? I'm your daughter. Don't you think that's inappropriate?"

"Yes, I'm sorry Greta." Wolfram looked worn out.

"Also, the answer is 'yes'. Duh."

Yuuri smirked. "Shall we continue our survey? Or are you satisfied?"

"I… fine." Wolfram visibly drooped. "What do I do?"

Yuuri looked at him curiously. "This has never happened to you before?"

"No," Wolfram answered miserably. "Generally, I'd accept serious offers and people would get tired of me and leave."

That sounded horrible. Yuuri placed his hand on Wolfram's arm. "You know I won't do that, right?"

Wolfram smiled weakly at him. "Three years is already pretty long. If you can still stand me, you might hold the record for everyone outside my family."

Yuuri leaned in. "I can still stand you." He smiled.

"Mmm." Wolfram's smile became more genuine, more real as he leaned forward, letting his eyes slide shut…

"A-hem!" Greta cleared her throat pointedly, making her fathers jump. "I believe you were discussing Lieven-kaka's broken heart?"

Oh right. Yuuri laughed, embarrassed, as Wolfram sighed. "He never said anything."

"Well," Yuuri said, authoritatively, "You have two choices. You can either keep ignoring it and acting like it doesn't exist, or you can talk to him about it." He heard a small voice in the back of his mind call himself a hypocrite, but ignored it easily. If he'd had that conversation with Wolfram years ago, they'd no longer be engaged and the question of asking Lieven to stand by Wolfram at their wedding would never have come up.

Wolfram looked tempted. Yuuri knew the appeal of letting sleeping dogs lie, but he also knew Wolfram. His fiancé sighed again, sounding resigned. "There's still some time before lunch."

Yuuri gave in and kissed Wolfram, full on the lips and in front of their daughter. Greta grimaced, the face children everywhere made when their parents displayed affection. "I… if anyone needs me, I'll be in my room."

Yuuri made a muffled sound of acceptance, which turned into a slow moan of desire and Greta slipped out of the room as quickly as possible. It was nice that they were together and it was great that Wolfram was staying, but she really didn't need to see that.

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"It's not that simple."

Wolfram sighed. "That's not a 'no', Lieven."

"No, but…" Lieven sighed. "Yes. I love you." Wolfram bit his lip and looked away. "But it's not that simple." He shrugged. "You're not really surprised, are you?"

"I don't know," Wolfram admitted. "I… I would have thought that I'd have been more sensitive to that, that I'd have noticed… something."

Lieven laughed. "I'm good at hiding things." He sounded proud. "Still, someone figured it out, or you wouldn't be here."

For the first time, Wolfram made eye contact, glaring. "Lieven. Everyone knew."

Oh. That was… a little embarrassing. "Even Yuuri?"

Wolfram maintained eye contact without flinching, but not without flushing. "He pointed it out originally."

"Oh. Damn." Lieven sat down heavily. "He seemed…"

"Thick?" Wolfram suggested. "Slow? Insensitive? Dull?"

Lieven managed a laugh. "Are you sure you picked him over me?"

"Yes." Wolfram sat beside him, staring awkwardly across the room. "Sorry."

"It's finem" Lieven said, sighing. "D'you think you'll be happy with him?"

"I don't know," Wolfram admitted. "But… if I am happy with him, it'll be a happier happy than I could ever be with anyone else." He frowned. "Does that make sense?"

Lieven laughed and rested his head against Wolfram's shoulder. "Does to me."

They sat there in silence for a few moments, just thinking their own thoughts. Wolfram hadn't expected it to go this painlessly, and somehow felt almost cheated. If he'd been in Lieven's spot he was sure he would have railed and fought and screamed and blamed… Lieven seemed almost content.

"…what did you mean when you said this wasn't 'simple'?"

"Just that." Lieven answered. "I… god, Wolf, you're my friend. You've always been my friend. Yeah, you're gorgeous, and I'd do you in a second…" he snickered as Wolfram flushed at that "…but the thought of marrying you was so weird, ya know?"

Wolfram snorted. "I know exactly what you mean."

"Bet you do." Lieven grinned. "But the more I got to thinking about it, and the more it seemed like it was gonna happen… I guess I just kinda fell in love with the idea." His grin softened. "We woulda been so good together. And I'm not just talking about in bed now."

Wolfram blinked back surprise tears. He wasn't really crying, it was just… "We would have been."

"Wolf," Lieven whispered, raising his head. "I know this is taking advantage, and I know that it's not my place, but…" He tilted Wolfram's chin up and towards him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Wolfram, tears still streaming helplessly down his face, kissed back, allowing Lieven to control it until they were sharing each other's breath in the most intimate, and final, gesture that they'd ever shared.

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Wolfram and Lieven's conversation didn't take long. They were on time for lunch and everyone ignored Wolfram's puffy eyes and both of their red, damp lips. Yuuri wanted, desperately, to take Wolfram's hand as he sat down, to comfort him, but he knew that it would look possessive. He didn't want Lieven more hurt than… than he had to be to ensure Yuuri's happiness.

Yuuri felt vaguely selfish, but remembered that it was okay. 'Cause it was Wolfram.

After lunch, everyone gathered in Gwendal's office. Yuuri sat behind the desk with his quill and two long, complicated documents in front of him. No one else sat, and Yuuri was a little disappointed to see Lieven and Waltorana standing a little apart from everyone else. It made sense, though, particularly as Wolfram was standing beside the desk, in his proper position as Yuuri's fiancé.

Yuuri shook off the discomfort and addressed his audience.

"I'm signing two acts into law today," he said, hoping there wouldn't be too many questions. He had only the general idea of the framework, and not really any clear idea of the math. "The first one is a fair-trade act. It basically forbids using commercial means to further political goals." That sounded good and made sense. He turned to Lieven. "I know it probably doesn't mean much now, but I don't want what happened to Grantz, to the people of Grantz, to happen again."

Lieven still looked a little shaken from his previous conversation, but had regained enough composure to bow to Yuuri. "I appreciate that, Heika." He sounded like he really did. Yuuri grinned.

"I told you to call me 'Yuuri'." He signed the document and held up the other one. "This one is… a little more complicated. It's an Equalization act. It uses really complicated math to balance out large inequities between the lands within Shin Makoku." He smiled. "This one will help right away. It's unfair that some parts of Shin Makoku are richer than others when we're all one country." Yuuri paused for a reaction. None came, so he continued. "Of course, this means that since everyone will have a minimum income, no matter if there are natural disasters or suddenly no one needs trees, there are minimum requirements that every lord will have to provide to his people." Yuuri smiled. "It's all in the act."

"Heika…" Waltorana looked nervous. "You do realize that this takes a great deal of power and control from the ten aristocrats?"

Yuuri shook his head. "Not really. It just means that they can't take money and hide it from their people with the excuse of having a bad year." Yuuri nodded determinedly. "Every person in Shin Makoku should be given the same chance as any other." Then he remembered that he was the ruler of an absolute monarchy with powerful aristocrats and an influential god-figure, and he added, "I mean, within their class."

Reform was one thing. Revolution was way beyond his current ambitions. For now.

Wolfram looked like he wanted to say something, but kept quiet. Lieven shot Waltorana an 'it's weird, but what'cha gonna do about it?' look. Then Gunter stepped in.

"Christ will be in a position where we will almost certainly suffer higher taxes, but I support Yuuri-heika with everything I have." He looked steadily at Waltorana. "As Bielefeld is also quite affluent, it should be expected that you will also see a slight increase in your contribution to the overall welfare of Shin Makoku." His eyes narrowed. "Your support for this act would, therefore, be a significant asset to its general acceptance."

"What, are you blackmailing him?" Wolfram exploded, his naturally limited restraint cracking under the pressure. "You drag him here and present something he would obviously oppose and then threaten him until–"

"You didn't know about this?" Lieven interrupted.

Wolfram flushed. "Well, I… that is, I… of course I support Yuuri, and I'm sure that this is the best thing for Shin Makoku, but that… that doesn't mean you should coerce support from anyone." Wolfram finished lamely. Yuuri was almost disappointed. That sounded like it had been warming up to be an impressive rant. Wolfram was hot when he was ranting.

Murata smiled. "It may not be the best thing for Shin Makoku. It's something that had worked in some situations, and we're trying it in an effort to be more fair to everyone. If it doesn't work, we'll try something else." He turned his smile to Waltorana. "We're not afraid to make mistakes, von Bielefeld-kaka. We're afraid of being too scared to try."

"Right!" Yuuri agreed. "And if you really don't like it, you can always tell us what's wrong and we'll try to fix it." He caught a glare from Gwendal. "Ahh… that is, we'll take your input into consideration."

Waltorana nearly smiled. "I see. Well, as a social experiment, it can't be any worse than that 14th Maou's proposition to only marry people born in different cities to prevent inbreeding. You have my support, Heika. In the short-term at least."

Yuuri grinned and signed the act. "Great." He smiled. "Don't worry, Lieven. In a couple months time, you'll get your share and get back on your feet, and the fair-trade act means you'll stay on your feet!"

Lieven looked uncomfortable. "Thank you, Heika." His gratitude did not seem as genuine as his previous appreciation and he refused to meet Yuuri's eye.

Yuuri ignored that for the time being. "That's pretty much everything I had to say. Does anyone else have something to add? No? Okay, then. Um… Lieven, if it's okay, would you stay back for a bit? Wolfram and I have something to ask you."

Lieven nodded and watched as everyone else left in varying states from vaguely suspicious to gloriously inspired. He heard Yuuri stand from his seat, walk a few paces, then stop and murmur something quietly. To Wolfram, no doubt. After Wolfram had confronted him about his feelings, Lieven had felt embarrassed, then worthless, then somehow better. It was like lancing a boil – following the initial excruciating pain was a deep sense of relief. Which was mingled with the excruciating pain, but relief nonetheless. Kissing Wolfram, and feeling him kiss back after barely a moment's hesitation until he pulled away with suspiciously shiny eyes… that had probably helped too. But Lieven didn't feel up to seeing Wolfram, who now knew how he felt, standing beside Yuuri. Lieven could intellectually accept that Wolfram was Yuuri's, and could even pretend to tolerate their intimacy, but the wound was still fresh and tender, and Lieven was afraid of aggravating it.

"Lieven, please explain to Yuuri why you're less than pleased with the equalization proposal," Wolfram asked in the tone of someone who knows the answer.

Lieven blinked again. Not quite what he'd expected. He tried to think of a diplomatic way to phrase it. "As I've said in the past, Heika, the idea of taking charity is not an attractive one."

Yuuri opened his mouth. Wolfram stepped on his foot and shot him a warning glare. Yuuri smiled sheepishly. Lieven fumed at their silent conversation; it wasn't as if he didn't know that Yuuri was going to demand that Lieven call him by his name. Yuuri cleared his throat and started again. "It's not charity. It's fairness." He played his ace. "It's justice."

Lieven was about to ask where was the justice in taking money from someone who had earned it and giving it to someone who hadn't, when Wolfram jumped in. "After all, for an entire people to be punished for the poor decisions of one man… that's not right."

It wasn't what Lieven would have expected from Wolfram. 'As the King, so the country' was more his way of thinking. Or, at least, it had been. Lieven wanted to argue with them, but he recognized the truth in Wolfram's words. And Yuuri's orders were absolute. "As you say." He compromised, not agreeing, but accepting.

That seemed to be enough for Wolfram. "Good. Now, onto what we originally wanted to talk to you about." He pulled away from Yuuri's hold (which was good) and took Yuuri's hand (which was less good), crossing the few steps from Gwendal's desk to stand with Yuuri in front of Lieven. "Lieven, we… Yuuri and I are planning on getting married within the next year."

Well, of course they were. "Congratulations," Lieven managed to choke out.

Wolfram took his other hand and cupped Lieven's face. "It would mean a lot to me if you would stand with me, like we promised."

Lieven realized he'd closed his eyes when Wolfram had touched him. "Why would you even want me there?"

Yuuri hesitated, then touched Lieven on the arm, a friendly, bridging touch. "It's really important to us. Well, mostly to Wolfram, but I… I just want everyone to be happy."

"It doesn't work that way," Lieven snapped, regretting it immediately. "Sorry. I didn't mean…" He took a deep breath. "Wolfram, I'd be honoured to." It took months to organize a proper royal wedding. He'd be completely over this by then.

Wolfram smiled, a little sad, but mostly happy. "Thank you, Lieven."

Lieven felt himself melt into that smile. He moved forward, feeling Wolfram's fingers slide over his cheek and Yuuri's hand fall off his arm as he took the step forward that placed him directly in front of Wolfram, close enough to press his lips against Wolfram's and take advantage of his surprise to kiss him deeply and thoroughly. He'd warned them that they might not want him around. Might as well demonstrate why.

Wolfram made a soft noise that was half surprise, half protest and Lieven deepened the kiss, bracing his hands on Wolfram's hips, pressing their bodies together. He pulled away before Wolfram could, and ghosted his lips over Wolfram's, trying to draw this feeling out before stepping back, giving Wolfram his personal space back. That was it. That was the last time.

He managed to catch a glimpse of Yuuri out of the corner of his eye, a strange look of understanding mingled with warning on his face. Lieven understood – even without his own restraint, this would be the last time Yuuri would accept this. He reached out and offered his hand to Yuuri. Yuuri let go of Wolfram's hand to take it.

"Congratulations, Yuuri," Lieven said, managing to make it more genuine this time. "If you hurt him, I may have to bring shame on my family again and I don't think my grandfather would survive it. So, please, keep him happy."

Yuuri smiled brilliantly. "I will, Lieven." He clasped Lieven's hand in both of his. "Also, I never thanked you for listening to me and all your good advice. You were… you're a good friend. Thanks."

Lieven chuckled and tugged Yuuri forward, holding his head steady with his other hand and kissing him as deeply as he'd kissed Wolfram. Wolfram made an indignant squawk and Lieven pulled away, licking his lips.

"You're more than welcome," he purred as Yuuri dropped his hand, staring at him. Lieven winked as outrageously as he could. "I've wanted to do that since I first saw you."

Yuuri's mouth gaped like a thirsty fish. "But you… to Wolfram…"

"Doesn't mean you're not gorgeous." He turned to go, letting them see his strong, predatory side as their last impression of him. "Good luck, you two."

He wasn't able to resist one last glance back, just before the door closed behind him. Yuuri was looking into Wolfram's eyes, his look of dazed confusion fast sharpening into a sort of hunger as Wolfram hooked his fingers through Yuuri's belt loops and drew him towards him. The door closed before Lieven could see or hear anything.

Just as well. As it was, hislast impression of Yuuri and Wolfram wasn't one that he liked.

They looked really good together.

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And we're done! Thanks to everyone for reading and double thanks to those who read and reviewed!

The leading Japanese sentence and following translation before every chapter were the lyrics was from Wolfram's seiyuu, Saiga Mitsuki's, song "Chapter". I did the translations so take them with a grain of salt, as it were. The chapter titles were Germanic idioms and proverbs (a lot of them translated perfectly into existing English proverbs, which made those translations much easier). XD