Disclaimers on everything that I don't own.

Act I,

By Winterwing3000

"Daisuke! Dark! Where are you two!" Queen Emiko called as she circled the garden, where her two sons were to supposedly meet her.

She heard a barrage of feet stamping against the dirt ground and turned around, her court skirts swirling. Her two sons were racing against each other.

"Hah! You can never beat me Daisuke!" the taller one shouted, head turned over his shoulder to look at his brother with a clear smirk on his face.

Dark, the older of the two, was nearing his eighteenth birthday. He had a slender but firm built, with the height of nearly two yards. His hair was of a dark violet, short and messily trimmed in the back while long wild bangs in the front. Born with a sculpted and handsome face, Emiko knew that many girls were heartbroken by his charms, especially with those eyes of his. Dark had a very deep shade of purple, perhaps a tad darker since it would sometimes be tinted with red when his eyes were being seen at a certain angle.

"That's because you have longer limbs!" Daisuke refuted, huffing as he finally caught up to his older brother.

Daisuke on the other hand, was the exact opposite of Dark, being only seventeen the past two months. He had untamed fiery hair, always mused in all directions. He wasn't quite six feet, but only a few inches away. Though short, he was also agile and had a supple body. His face, however, was less sharp and a bit round on the chin, giving him a cuter look. Oh, but he still had his flock of girls with those ever-bright crimson eyes of his.

Emiko took three steps to her right and watched as the two boys speed passed her and then skidded backwards. "Dark, do stop irritating you younger brother. And would you two walk with me? I have some things to discuss with you both."

"Of course, Mother." Dark said, sweeping a bow and then held out a hand for her to take. Smiling gently, Emiko took his hand and gave her other to Daisuke.

Together, they walked down the garden brick road, and entered the labyrinth, by passing the many rose bushes and trimmed brush figures. Once they reached to the center of the maze, her two sons led her to the stone bench close to the fountain and sat down, patting the seats next to her.

Daisuke took his seat beside his mother but Dark shook his head and leaned against the tree by the bench.

"Is there urgent news that you had wished to discuss with us Mother?" Daisuke asked.

"Yes…," the Queen chewed on her lower lip before breaking into the topic. "You do understand that you both are growing up and soon, have to be married, correct?"

"Mother…" Dark started with an exasperated tone in his words. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. They probably had three of these lectures the past seven months. And most likely twenty the past year.

Daisuke had to agree with his brother. They liked their independence. And marrying or even courting a lady would interfere with their freedom. Settling down meant clingy females, showering them with gifts and end up chasing a whole bunch of brats.

"But I want my sons to give me at least a grandchild before I pass! Your grandfather left that on his will and I know that your father, King Kosuke, would have wanted it as much as my father did! And it is for the best!" Emiko told them, feeling an onslaught of tears.

"I will not. I repeat Mother, I will not marry Princess Ritsuko from the Eastern Kingdom. She has one hell of a punch and I'm not risking it again." Dark said with a frown, rubbing his shoulder, remembering the time when Princess Ritsuko nearly broke off his arm when he told her that she was beautiful…

Wearing that low cut ball dress with the front loose…

Apparently, that girl didn't like his charms and was… rather insulted.

"Ah… well, I suppose that was an unfortunate case. But I think that there could always be the Princesses from the Southern Kingdom. I heard that they both just turned sixteen last summer!" the brunette queen announced happily.

Daisuke groaned a bit. "Mother… please, when the time is right."

"And now isn't the right time! Prince Krad from the Western Kingdom was wed just a matter of months ago to a very noble lady related to the King of the Empire." Emiko said slyly, glancing at her older son, knowing that she had pushed the right buttons.

Prince Krad was a male of six feet; shockingly white hair, well built and very ruthless. He had been known for his cunningness and seriousness, never faltering at every duty he was given.

Somehow, there seemed to be a great rivalry between Dark and Krad. Maybe it had to do something with their childhood…

"Bastard…" Dark mumbled underneath his breath, pushing his bangs back with his hand.

"Did you say something dear?" Emiko asked sweetly. "Because if you didn't, I have so much more news about Prince Krad and his brother, Satoshi."

"Is Satoshi also married Mother?" Daisuke asked, surprised. His friend was married and he received no news of it!

"No, not quite yet. He is courting this fine lady… I believe she is a daughter of a very wealthy merchant. Ah, young love… he is seventeen now, is he not, Daisuke?" their mother faced the red head.

"Ah, well… I suppose so." The redhead muttered, frowning a bit from disappointment. Okay, maybe his friend wasn't marrying just yet, but courting someone without telling him counts as well…!

Dark fumed silently before sharply telling his mother, "Fine. Get someone to arrange a masquerade party for the fortnight. Invite all noblemen and ladies. I'll beat that Krad!

He won't know what hit him when I get an heir first!" he said with a triumph grin.

"That's a wonderful decision Dark! Do you agree, Daisuke?" Emiko clapped her hands and turned to her younger son.

"Eh… I guess so Mother." The younger shrugged casually, though on the inside, he wished he could strangle his brother. Did he forget to mention that he despised dance parties… especially with a certain stalker from the Western Kingdom?

"Very well, my dear boys. Now, I must head in and start preparing for the party. And you won't regret this decision once you meet your "desired maiden"!" the queen smiled widely at her sons and then stood up, brushing her court skirt before heading out of the labyrinth and into the castle doors.

Once Daisuke was sure that their mother was inside, he turned to face his older brother, who was in deep thought with a smug grin on his face. Probably imagining about the future where he had beaten Krad in everything…

"Brother… I do believe that I owe you something…" Daisuke said, dripping with venom.

"Hm? Oh… I see… well, only if you catch me, as I said earlier! Au revoir, mon fère!" Dark let out a haughty laugh before dashing off into the maze, leaving a very angry Daisuke, who immediately went to catch up with his brother.

"Riku! RIKU!" a brunette female called, knocking on the great wooden door that cut off from the hallway and her twin sister's room.

"What is it Risa?" a caramel head popped out from behind the door as it was swung opened a portion.

"I've received a letter! From the Prince of the Northern Kingdom!" Risa squealed enthusiastically, nearly jumping up and down very unladylike.

Risa, the youngest of the twins, had waist-long brown hair. Her body was fully developed into an hourglass figure. Standing tall and prideful at a height of five feet five, she wore a large maroon skirt that accented very well with her dark hair and a very tight corset with a crème colored puff jacket over it. Her eyes were a lighter shade of her hair, but shined brilliantly whenever she talked of something she was interested in. She just returned from her trip from Ritsuko's home and immediately was given the letter that she clutched tightly in her hand now.

"Uh huh… I did too. And don't you mean, "Princes" of the Northern Kingdom? I heard that they were brothers." Riku corrected.

Riku, very unlike her sister, was more toned and fit, rather than soft and petite. Being older by a couple of minuets during birth, Riku was slightly taller than Risa. Her mid-back hair was near copper-red and her eyes were a bit lighter, more of a toffee shade. She just donned into a loose cotton shirt and a pair of tight breeches, hoping to get sometime fencing with her mentor. She was more of a tomboyish figure, even with her perfect body structure. Her twin was a total feminist and opted for the best rank and class of the whole Empire.

"Oh, you know who I'm talking about! You know, Prince Dark!" Risa said the prince's name dreamily.

Ever since their brief meeting at Prince Krad and Prince Satoshi's kingdom for a small get-together picnic, Risa had fallen madly in love with the older Northern Prince. Riku, despite her disagreement with her twin, had thought that he was rather cute… and charming… but something just doesn't fit.

"Risa… you do know what the letter said… didn't you?" Riku asked, allowing her sister entrance to her room.

"Of course! A masquerade party! Oh, I need to find a dress for that night! Do you think Mother will allow us to stay there for a while? I heard that she had some catching up to do with Queen Emiko." The younger twin sighed, sitting down carefully on the cushioned chair next to the drawers.

"Hmm…I guess so." Riku answered uncaringly, fastening her hair into two doubled-back braids. She slipped on her leather boots and tied it, Risa watching on with distaste.

"Why is it that you do this, Riku?"

"Do what?"

"You know, all the sword play, fencing, training with the soldiers. What are you trying to gain out of this? You're a PRINCESS! We don't do these things! We're supposed to learn how to be good wives in the future for our husbands!" Risa nodded approvingly at her logic.

"Well, who'll defend the kingdom when we get attacked?" Riku said nonchalantly.

"We have our army and soldiers who will protect us from ever being attacked! And you aren't meant to be in the battle field, getting all sweaty and such." The younger princess chided.

"Hm… hey, didn't one of our servants bring home some new fabrics from the market? I heard that they were fine linen and silk…" the eldest trailed off, walking out of her room, already seeing the excited look on her sister's face.

AN: My first shot at D N Angel. I actually have a short outline for this… and I can't believe that I'm actually writing it. Obviously, it is sent in the medieval times… and somewhere that's probably not going to be revealed until much later. I'll explain things as they progress. And this is going to be about 10 to 20 chapters long… so, er, review?