The Consummate Oath
end summaryThe chances of me finishing this story are very slim so for your indulgence, here is a quick summary of what would have happened had I the time to write it down.
While staying with him, Murata tries to teach Wolfram Japanese, indulging him in cultural curiosities as they go and trying to get his mind off of his injured daughter. Wolfram becomes more aware of what Yuri will be sacrificing to commit to him, especially after spending Christmas with the Shibuyas along with Murata. With mistletoe over head, Murata steals a kiss from Wolfram, making him rather angry and even more homesick for Yuri and worried about Greta.
In trying to calm the angry prince, Murata speaks to Wolfram about how when Yuri is required to leave for diplomatic purposes, it will fall to Wolfram to stay back and rule over Shin Makoku. Murata explains how Wolfram has changed over the years and how he will become Maou should anything ever happen to Yuri, not because of marriage but rather because he now possesses the spirit and will to be a great ruler. Hearing the Great Sage speak in honest praise of him does make Wolfram feel a little better, at least enough to forgive him for the chaste kiss. Wolfram is getting sick though, spending too much time in a world with such pollution and chemical enhancements in everything, things his body is just not used to for such long term exposure. Murata knows why, but does not tell Wolfram.
Back in Shin Makoku, Yuri has just arrived with Greta in his arms. He hurries to find someone to help heal her, doing his best not to cry. He hands her off to Gisela and waits and watches. He finally does break down when Conrad puts his arms around him, unable to make his mind shut off the images and thoughts that won’t leave him. He doesn’t want to lose his daughter. As they wait and watch, Greta is stabilized but not out of danger. Yuri doesn’t want to leave her side but knows Wolfram should be with them. He leaves Conrad to hold Greta’s hand and keep her company and goes to get Wolfram back.
When he arrives back in Japan, it’s nearly spring. Yuri realizes what has happened and feels ill, imagining how angry Wolfram will be at him and feeling sorry to have made him wait and worry for so long. He goes home, finds he is not there, then goes to Murata’s home. Wolfram is in bed, too weak to get up from all the poisons in Yuri’s environment. Yuri feels even worse, worried now for the safety of his lover as well as his daughter. He takes the three of them back to Shin Makoku using Murata’s bath. Once there, Yuri lays Wolfram in the bed beside Greta, where the blonde mazoku wraps his arms around her and holds her close, finally back with his daughter. He closes his eyes.
Time jump. Yuri is pacing the room in his regal dress, nervous and scared and hoping he doesn’t make a mistake at the wedding. Conrad laughs good naturedly, telling him everything will be alright. In walks the bride, Greta in a long white gown looking elegant. Yuri smiles at her and takes her hand and walks her down the isle towards his soon to be son-in-law. He thinks about how odd it is to be walking his daughter down the isle when they look the same age and smiles sadly as he kisses her and leaves her to take his seat. Wolfram is sitting there with their adopted mazoku son on his lap, keeping him pacified so as to not disturb the ceremony. Yuri sits beside him and takes his free hand, kissing the ring he placed there not so long ago.
The end.