By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting

I have to add that I love how the engagement and relationship between Wolfram and Yuuri continues to progress over the course of the series. 

In a step-by-step process, first, we see Yuuri propose. Then, Wolfram sort of accepts (says he is Yuuri’s fiance after the fight and all that. Next, Wolfram shows some concern over their differences, noting how Yuuri’s development may be different since he was born in another world:

This, to me, means that he does have some doubts about things. (After all, they are engaged and he likes Yuuri a lot, but the engagement was accidental and finalized by a match, not by mutual love and/or adoration.) 

Then we see Yuri try to bring Wolfram back with him to Japan (and not Conrad or anyone else), despite the fact that he has told literally no one on Earth about him coming to Shin Makoku. Also, he doesn’t tell Wolfram where they would be going until after it becomes clear that he cannot pass through. (Also, I love that Wolfram is not upset about this, but more so giving some tough love in explaining things.) See the scene below:

We can see from the dialogue that Yuri may not have intended for Wolfram to come with him–because he is a little irritated that Wolfram jumps in with him–but the first conversation about Wolfram keeping on his swim trunks and stuff implies that Wolfram should go in with him.

Also, look at their interaction. Yuri is holding Wolfram’s hand, and not uncomfortable with the contact Wolfram makes by hugging him (his words point to Wolfram diving in, not hugging). Wolfram is comfortable with the contact too, so they’re doing better than before, but Wolfram acts more like Yuri’s vessel than his friend or loving fiance in this scene. He is straightforward about Yuuri belonging to this world and thinks Yuri should have known that this might happen regardless of whether or not he was told. I don’t want to say that Wolfram is being cold in this scene, because his facial expressions are not cold. Rather, he is giving Yuuri a wake-up call that is harsh but, from his perspective, true. A truth that Yuri needs to learn. Wolfram, here, is pretty formal. Acting as a person close enough to the king that he can speak candidly, but one who is still not familiar with Yuuri.

We see Wolfram go about things in a somewhat formal way at the start of their relationship, like he gets the marriage papers together, as well as expecting (and wanting) to quickly produce a child. He is upset that Yuri won’t formalize things, likely because Yuuri started this but now won’t follow through, which must be confusing to Wolfram from a cultural standpoint. Wolfram, as we know, is a youth that has been raised in a society where marriages like this one are not only common but also supported. Look at Lady Cherri, for example. She married for love but admits it is a rarity. As a huge supporter of love, it is somewhat odd to me that she fully supports Wolfram’s engagement, regardless of whether they know and love each other yet. I think that because of her avid support despite her personal views shows us at the beginning of the story how this is, probably, regular in their society. Marriages are not always between lovers and though a lover is preferred, it is not necessarily the case for many nobles. 

Look too at when they become fathers to the Bear-bees and Greta. This changes their dynamic quite a bit. At first, Wolfram is not entirely accepting. Yuuri continues to call Greta his love child and immediately begins acting warmly towards her, comforting her, treating her well, and he even adopts her quickly, but Wolfram only comes around to being an accepting father after that arc/vol. is done (showing the progression from a fiance in formality to one with more familial ties). 

After Conrad loses his arm, Wolfram chases Yuuri and saves him from the giant crevasse caused by the box. When Wolfram finally catches Yuuri, it is a touching scene that helps show how much Wolfram has grown to care for Yuuri.

We also get to see when Wolfram formally accepts the engagement:

BTW: Wolfram states that his slapping Yuuri formalizes the engagement as something mutual and not one-sided in the text, so please bear that in mind. Around this point, we see that Wolfram has really grown to love Yuuri. The engagement is, from his perspective, now something that is wanted and agreed upon. Though he recognizes that Yuuri has still not fully come around (while Wolfram never states this, it is clear based on his language).

Later, Yuuri ends up saving Wolfram and fully accepts the engagement when he yells “I’m your fiance” at Wolfram and wakes him up. It concludes with him saying:

Wolfram’s giddiness after this scene, asking Yuuri if he was jealous and pointing out what Yuri said, Yuri walking with him and refusing to let go of his hand while they’re in the box is (priceless) confirmation to Wolfram that Yuuri fully accepts the engagement. The two are now mutually accepting of the engagement, each other, and the relationship, which is why I love this love story.

Nice analysis!

I would like to add that their relationship is way deeper in the novels (that they sleep together undisturbed (no Greta in their bed), eat every meal together, bathe together every day and Wolfram works at the office with Yuuri because he asked him to). That Yuuri calls Wolfram his ‘most important person’ (words with very deep meaning in this series); and calls him fiance at least in Crossheart and Love Letter (and surely many more times I’m missing here)

I made a compilation of yuuram in the novels, in case you’re interested: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17

Lastly a line from Misepan2

“If I was in trouble, and I was missing something important. And you had one that was exactly the same ….”
“I’d lend it to you, of course”
I thought about this, literally with my hands on his chest. In fact, with my hand, that was pressed against his chest, I could feel that the speed of my partner’s and my heartbeat was the same. Anyone would get blood rushing to their brains when they’re seriously thinking about something. When I could calm down a little, I let out a small sigh.
“Or rather, when it comes to things that I can give you, I would give you anything, Wolf. (…)”

On our Tumblr post, marumafan replies…

OMG – thank you! (I will now proceed to devour the novels!) – ALSO, Part 1 of this analysis can be found here.

 Both the anime and manga seem to heavily hint that male pregnancy is a thing in their world. Just off the top of my head, manga wise – Wolfram accuses Yuuri when Greta arrives by asking when and where he gave birth to her or where she was conceived + when Conrad comes to save Wolfram and Yuuri from the basement with the Bearbee cacoons, he mistakenly thinks Wolfram was pregnant for a moment after Wolfram makes a statement about things ‘about to be born’ … so, probably not a surrogate.

On our Tumblr post, galaxycicada replies…

EDIT: 7/7/2023 Revised for clarity

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