For The Love Of Yuri

(For Yuri) Ask My Heart

Three months later…

"Please, Mom… Please let me go there. I really need to go there for me to talk to him," Yuri begged to his mother that one morning.

Erika and Yuri talked just after he was finally discharged at the hospital. He stayed there for four months because of so much damage that he took during the surprise attack. For one and a half months, Yuri was in coma that made his mother completely distressed. Nevertheless, she never gave up hope.

Erika could still remember the half more month that she has to wait in order for Yuri to wake up from his stasis. After Wolfram gave her the music box, she was able to prove its own magic. For two weeks, she kept on playing it, hoping that the music from it would reach Yuri and let him see the way out of the dark. It was worth a try. And one day, she was completely happy that he finally woke up. Unfortunately, it was just half of the struggle that they need to face because what the doctors had originally feared happened.

Since Yuri's spine was quite damaged, his walking capability was completely affected. But even though it's like that, Yuri never felt down. Except for the fact that he wouldn't be able to see Wolfram since Erika told him that the blond finally went back to Shin Makoku without him knowing. He felt that he woke up for nothing since he has no one to come back to. Erika was hurt and Yuri somehow saw through that. And at that moment, he realized that Wolfram wasn't the only one he needed to return to. He still has his family and they're one of the many reasons why he came back.

And with that determination, he trained his legs to gain strength and power in order for him to walk again. But it took him full two months before he was able to walk again. It wasn't easy for him to do so but he managed to do it. The procedure of the medication wasn't really easy; it was actually quite painful. But even if it was really painful for him to bear, he never gave up hope along with the help of the music box and for one strong reason…

With the desire inside his heart to talk to Wolfram again, it was his reason why he managed to get up again… why he managed to regain his walking capablility.

"Please, Mom. Please let me go to Shin Makoku…" Yuri continued to beg to his mom. And that made Miko Shibuya sighed.

"But Yuri—"

"If you're still worried about the danger, you don't have to, Mom. It's already taken care of," Erika answered. "Besides, the other world is safe now because of the alliance and the peace treaty so you have nothing to worry about."

"It's not that I'm worried or anything… It's just…" But for some reason, Miko couldn't continue what she wanted to say.

But Erika just smiled and held her mother's hands. "It's fine, Mom. I promise. Yuri will be fine."

And with that, Miko just sighed once again and looked at her twin children—Yuri and Erika.

"Alright. I'll let you handle things, Ken-chan," she finally said, facing Murata.

Yuri's smile widened and he hugged his mom tightly because of that.

xxxxxx

Shin Makoku, same timeline…

Blood Pledge Castle's soldiers and servants were busy preparing for the arrival of the Queen's guests. No one exactly knows who were these guests since Lady Cheri clearly stated it that it'll be a secret. And because of that, no one dared to ask her anything about it. Even her own sons doesn't know who the guests were, even though they believed it's someone they knew. Whoever that was, they will find out sooner.

The servants were done preparing when the guests arrived. But they're quite surprised to realize that the guest was the princess of the Kingdom of Castalia. Not just the servants, but the Queen's sons, as well. But still, Lady Cheri just projected a surprisingly happy and calm expression.

Erika and Murata were welcomed by Lady Cheri as soon as the two arrived at the Throne Room. The only ones there were Gisela, Gunter, Gwendal, Conrad and Wolfram. The two bowed to the queen as a sign of respect.

"Please forgive our sudden visitation to your kingdom, Cheri-sama," Erika politely said. "I hope we didn't cause any problem regarding that."

The said woman smiled. "You don't have to worry about anything concerning that, Your Highness. We did made a deal, didn't we? I just did my part."

"But why did you made your arrival here a secret, Erika?" Conrad asked the young princess. "Are there any reasons for that?"

"Well… The reason actually concerns on Wolfram…" Murata replied.

That statement made the said blond surprised. "Me?" Erika nodded and smiled. "But what do you mean by that?"

However, the said maiden didn't say anything. She just faced one of her attendants who was just standing beside her. "Saria, could you please bring him here?"

The attendant named Saria bowed and left the room. And while they were waiting, Wolfram couldn't help but to ask Erika a question. "Erika, I want to know how's… Yuri. I want to know how he's dong and if he has recovered…"

"Princess Erika, he's here," Saria announced after a few minutes before she could answer Wolfram.

Everyone turned to where Saria was and from the door there, a familiar person came out that made Wolfram undeniably surprised and yet, incredibly happy at the same time.

"Y… Yuri…" he whispered as he tried to approach the said person but for some reason, he couldn't move his feet.

Yuri smiled at him as he walked towards the throne where Lady Cheri was sitting. He stopped beside his sister and faced Erika before looking at the queen. Lady Cheri smiled at him before speaking.

"You must be Princess Erika's twin brother," Lady Cheri said. Yuri nodded.

"I know that my twin sister revealed the truth to you about our family secret but I hope that didn't made you feel betrayed or anything for keeping it to all of the countries allied to your kingdom," Yuri said politely.

Lady Cheri gently shook her head and glanced at Wolfram, in which the latter noticed vaguely. "You don't have to worry about that, Your Majesty. Ever since the princess told the truth to us three months ago, we came to realize that your family had gone through so many hardships for us not to feel betrayed or anything similar to that. Everyone has secrets that they must keep and I know that it wasn't really easy for all of you to do that. But honestly, I'm glad that you're alright now," the queen said.

"It was all thanks to Wolfram's magical music box." And then she gazed at Wolfram for a short while before reverting it back to the queen. "His belated birthday gift to me somehow helped me came back."

The queen slightly smiled at that. "But what is the reason for you to finally come back to this world your mother made you try to escape years ago?"

Long silence filled the air. Everyone felt tense as they wait for Yuri to answer the queen's question. Even Erika and Murata were anxious to know the true reason why he insisted on coming to Shin Makoku sine he didn't really specify why. He just kept on insisting that he wanted to go.

It took a while before the young man answered.

"It's because… I wanted to tell all of you that I'm ready…" he said calmly. "I'm ready to take my place as the true king of Castalia."

Eyes widened at that announcement of Yuri. Erika was undeniably shocked at that, so she approached Yuri and asked him something.

"But Yuri, why all of a sudden? It's not that I don't want you to rule the kingdom. But you know that I could still fulfill my duties as a ruler. And you could still live as a human for as long as you wanted to."

"I know it's really sudden but trust me with this, sis. I know what I'm doing." And then he faced his sister. "Besides, it's about time that I should face the responsibility that was supposed to be imposed to me if a predicament had not separated the two of us. I'm going to continue everything that you had started for the benefit of our kingdom."

The princess just sighed heavily before gazing at her brother. "Fine…" And then she glanced at Wolfram. "But before you do what you wanted to do, weren't you supposed to talk to your 'best friend' and settle thing with him?"

"Yeah. But I want to do it in a private and peaceful place. If you don't mind, Cheri-sama."

The queen complied to Yuri's request. So Yuri and Wolfram left the Throne Room, walking together but there's a hint of awkwardness between the two. Murata and Erika couldn't help but to chuckle at that scene.

"Well, that's a sudden development," Lady Cheri commented. "To think your brother would finally accept the responibility of being a king…"

"But are you sure about leaving those two alone, Erika?" Murata asked her.

She just sighed and faced the door where Yuri and Wolfram went through. "No matter what might happen now, we should be prepared for anything. And I really mean anything…"

xxxxxx

The two ended up in the garden personally taken care of by Lady Cheri herself. The whole time that those two walked from the Throne Room to the garden, they never said anything to each other. It's like one could feel that if one of them say something to each other, it would only increase the already tensed atmosphere between the two. And Yuri could only wish that Erika would be there to give him courage. But then he realized that having Erika control the situation would only make him a pathetic and a coward.

This was something the he has to deal with on his own.

As for Wolfram, he couldn't also figure out what to do and what to say now that Yuri was with him ang here in Shin Makoku. It was something he has always hoped for ever since he fell in love with him five years ago.

Both Yuri and Wolfram sat on the bench as they faced the flower bed. The wind blew soft and warm despite the heat from the sun, and it's something that made the two of them calm despite the uneasiness between them.

But one of them has to start a conversation or else, nothing will be settled. And Wolfram decided that he has to.

"I'm glad you're alright now, Yuri…" he said. Even though I know that it's partly my fault why you were hospitalized… he added in his thoughts.

It took a short while before Yuri started speaking. "Thanks…" And then he sighed. "My sister said that… she gave you my letter addressed to you the time she told you the truth about my family. Is that true?"

Wolfram hesitantly nodded before facing him. He didn't realize, though, that Yuri was also facing him. So now, their gazes locked. And for a while, time seemed to have stopped.

"Did that made you realize about everything that I feel for you?" Yuri said after a few moments of looking at the blond. "I know you find it hard to believe after what I've done to you for the past ten years that we became friends and spent times together. But all of what was written there came from my heart… Everything came from here," he continued as he pointed his chest, to the part where his heart was.

"You want me to believe that… every word you had written in your letter… That's what you had stated in your letter, right? And I did. I always did. But then still, I couldn't stop blaming myself for what happened to you four months ago."

"It's not your fault, Wolfram…"

"I know. Erika said the same thing. But even if I did believe you, will that change everything that has happened between us?" the blond asked.

Yuri silently nodded and then looked at the sky. This is it, Yuri… You have to say it out loud now… "That depends on how you answer my question…" he said, almost in a whisper.

The blond frowned at that statement. "I… I don't understand… What do you mean by that, Yuri?"

He heaved a heavy sigh before looking at him straight in the eyes that made the blond a little startled and nervous at the same time. "But before I can go on with that, would it be okay if I ask you something that's a little related to the supposed question that I'm going to ask you after this?"

"Y… Yeah, sure…"

"How exactly do you propose marriage according to your custom?" Yuri asked that made Wolfram caught off guard.

What did he just say? Wolfram thought. "What does that has to do with anything?"

"I'll tell you later…" Yuri said without any expression written on his face but sincerity. "But still, can you please give me an honest answer?"

Wolfram was still couldn't comprehend what Yuri was saying after all that. Why in the world would Yuri ask that to me? But then he guessed that nothing would be lost once he answered his question. He sighed before answering… if that really helped him.

"There's an old custom here in Shin Makoku that slapping across a noble's left cheek actually meant a marriage proposal."

Yuri frowned. "A slap? But isn't it that a bit harsh just for a proposal?"

Wolfram couldn't help but to smile at that expression and answer of the man beside him. "Yeah, it is. But traditions can't easily be broken like that. It's something that has existed for a long time and all we have to do was to follow it." And then he looked at Yuri. "What about your custom in Castalia about a marriage proposal?"

"Even though I haven't seen my kingdom since I was only two days old, Erika and my mother mentioned a lot of things about Castalia."

"Including how to propose for a marriage?" Wolfram asked. But then he blushed at the fact that he must have asked that bluntly. "I'm sorry. I guess I've been to nosy about that."

"It's okay," Yuri said, smiling. "Even I became too nosy when I first learned that. But since they knew that I have no idea about our kingdom at all, they understood." Then Yuri stood up and stopped in front of Wolfram who was sitting at the bench.

He guided the blond to stand up, as well. Though it was a little bit fast, Wolfram could still recall what Yuri actually did. He pinched his nose slightly ang then joined their foreheads. At that time, both could feel their hearts beating fast and their breaths bruhing on their faces. Wolfram could see Yuri staring at his eyes hopefully and lovingly that made his heart race even faster.

And then Yuri spoke. "This is actually how a noble, especially the members of the Castalian royal family and court, propose marriage. They said that this way of marriage proposal means that they truly care for the person they love. This is to show their affection and sincerity to go on with the marriage."

Wolfram was completely caught off guard because of that revelation. So does this mean that Yuri was actually proposing to me? That's what the blond taught, still unable to absorb all the words that Yuri just said a while ago. But how will I suppose to respond to this?

Just when he thought that hope was gone, a voice entered in his mind, as if answering his question regarding that.

Just kiss him…a voice said. Kiss? As in kiss on the lips?

That's right. It shows that you return the affection, and that's according to the Castalian tradition. You love Yuri, right? That voice said it again. But where does that voice come from? And then he realized something.

That voice was kind of familiar… too familiar, to be exact.

In fact, the voice sounded a lot like… Erika's… It's like the maiden was actually helping him with this. That's why he smiled inwardly at the thought that Erika actually wanted him and Yuri to be together. And so does he.

So that's why…

X

I never loved anyone in this world that's so true

Like I have loved a person that I know is you

Love is something precious that I need to share

When time comes, I'm able to lend it with someone to share

X

Slowly but determined, Wolfram closed his eyes as he lean to Yuri closer… closer… closer… And then he felt that a warm sensation brushed his lips but he wanted to open his eyes even though that amazingly warm ang loving sensation wanted him not to. With that thought, he slowly opened his eyes only to have his emerald eyes softened at what he saw.

A kiss… An amazingly beautiful and careful kiss that he received from Yuri. It's as if he knew that he was going to accept the man's marriage proposal wholeheartedly…

X

You ask my heart if true love had ever been born here

In my heart, I know I hold you so precious and dear

For I'm sure it will answer only the truth inside

And I won't let it be conquered and taken by my pride

X

A kiss to answer a marriage proposal made a certain young black-haired man's heart overflow with joy he never thought he'll feel his entire life. And Yuri was completely glad that he made the right choice in coming back to the world that was supposed to be his home even though he felt that just staying in that vast darkness would let his heart be spared from the pain and guilt he suffered for what he did to Wolfram four months ago. But because of his undying love for the said blond man, he came back. He's home now. And now, with Wolfram who will stay by his side for his entire life, he's so sure that the most wonderful future he was about to have was right in front of him… kissing him…

After that, Yuri looked at Wolfram's surprised eyes and hugged him. Wolfram was undeniably happy at the realization that Yuri kept his words that he had written in his letter.

The man was willing to prove to him that he loves him and only him. And Yuri has a lifetime to prove that to him.

X

You ask my heart if I really do care about you

Coz I've never showed it in something that I do

But I can promise to you about one important thing

That I will care for you no matter what life will bring

X

But having Yuri by his side was already enough proof that the young man really meant what he said. And that made him believe that Yuri wasn't a wimp. He was never a wimp at all. He figured that out when Erika told the truth about her and Yuri's past… his sacrifices… his dedication and strength to protect what was left in their family…

And now, he figured that out again when Yuri came back just to be with him and was asked to marry him—in which he gladly accepted. In addition to that, Yuri accepted the responsibility of a king that an incident had made his mother imposed it to Erika nineteen years ago.

And he could tell that this was the Yuri that he came to love and will continue to love for the rest of their lives…

X

You ask my heart if I have loved anyone this real

But I'll answer your question with what I really feel

Only you are the person that I've loved this much

And I'll keep on proving it even if you don't watch

X

"Wolfram…" Yuri said in the middle of a very romantic scene between them.

"Hmm…?" Wolfram could only say.

"Does that mean you accepted me to be with you for the rest of our lives?"

Wolfram sighed and after a short while, he smiled. He returned the embrace lovingly. This was the kind of scene he had always longed for to happen between him and Yuri ever since he realized that he loved this man.

"I always wanted to accept you, Yuri. A long time ago, I always wished for this to happen. Just please don't let this end as a dream…" he said as he embraced Yuri tighter.

Yuri figured out what kind of emotion was feeling because he, too, was afraid that this was all a dream to both of them. But they wouldn't let fear destroy the future that's lying in front of them.

A future that his twin sister Erika had laid in front of them in order for them to have the life they've always wanted—a life that they're going to share together… for the rest of their lives.

X

Just ask my heart if you ever feel unsure of my love

That I had saved and protected only for your heart to have

Maybe that way, your heart will never worry this much

If you'll never have my love that only you can catch

X

"It's not a dream, Wolfram… It will never be a dream. I promise." And that really came from deep within his heart. He's going to fulfill that even beyond his grave.

"I love you… Yuri. I always have loved you more than you think," Wolfram said with a smile carved on his face.

And Yuri couldn't help but to smile, as well. "I love you, too, Wolfram. And I always will be. I promise that… from now till eternity…"

With that promise, the newly-blossomed couple shared another passionate kiss—sealing that promise under the rule of a force called…

…Destiny…