In the dark of another winter's night, Yuuri lies alone in his room in the castle and thinks that they've all grown up some. Wolfram is lying in another room somewhere in the maze of cold stone corridors, and didn't even raise his voice as he left. Yuuri feels guilty that another person besides him should lie awake this night, but when his (ex)fiancée pressed him for a final answer, Yuuri could not say anything but the simple truth: I love you, but I'm not in love with you. And Wolfram walked out, because after saying goodbye there seemed nothing more to say at all, and because the oppressive silence could only stretch out between them. In time, Yuuri hopes that Wolfram will forgive him, if only because the time they did have together is not as meaningless as Wolfram no doubt now believes. He is only glad that Wolfram didn't press him anymore after that - difficult questions which required difficult, hurtful answers. Why? Who do you love, if not me? Whilst Wolfram can be both insensitive and unaware of certain details at times, he is no fool.

Yuuri sighs and rolls around, trying to make himself comfortable for the umpteenth time; sleep, however, remains elusive. While Yuuri's body is certainly tired - another day of horse riding, sword play, baseball and endless signatures to blame - his mind is more active than he'd like. It's cold outside; Yuuri curls up into a ball, abandoning a comfortable sleeping position to gain a little more warmth. He expects he's being a baby, really - he's supposed to be the almighty Maou, and instead he's curled in on himself and wishing he wasn't quite so lonely, nor so unable to let go this feeling of wanting more. Why should he want more, when he's only just thrown away what he had?

Footsteps echo in the hallway beyond and then abruptly cease. With his chamber door closed Yuuri can't see who it is, and assumes it is only a passing guard. Still, he lies dead still until the footsteps resume and pass on - he does not wish anyone to intrude on his guilt, doesn't think he could stand it if people were to know and condemn him when he himself already condemns his own actions (or thoughts).

Because only when Wolfram is gone from his side does Yuuri dare to moan a smothered Conrad into his pillow.