Chapter One

Eleven years later:

Miko plugged her earbuds into her ears and attached them to her portscreen. Konn Torin, the emperor's advisor, raised an eyebrow at her. Kyra, Miko's older twin, stifled a laugh. She knew that whenever her twin was bored with her Politics lessons, she would listen to some second-era pop instead.

Torin sighed and closed his portscreen. He started to massage his temples, waiting for the 13 year old princess to focus again.

"Torin?" Miko asked, her feet tapping the beat.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Torin replied. "Are you ready to resume your lesson?"

"No, Torin. I'm bored." she drawled.

"Then you are dismissed, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Torin." Miko rose up and out of her seat and glided out of the classroom in her violet dress, humming.

"But I would like to continue the lesson." Kyra smiled.

Torin's eyes held something like gratitude. Kyra was the one most willing to learn out of the royal children. In Torin's eyes, it was almost a pity that she wasn't the crown princess. She was like Emperor Kai the most, Kai Jr. was like Cinder the most and Miko was like Iko and Cinder's deceased mother Channary the most. Miko was obsessed with music, fashion and dancing, mostly because she grew up with Iko as her closest confidante.

"Of course." Torin smiled, opening his portscreen up again. In a few minutes, the two were in a lively debate about inter-galactic politics.

"But, Your Highness, when you think about inter-galactic laws, the EF is-"

"Yes, I know Torin." Kyra waved her hand dismissively with a twinkle in her eye that looked just like the late Emperor Rikan. "Remember that my mother did sign the Treaty of Bremen while the other monarchs couldn't."

Her statement left Torin unable to argue any further. The door to the meeting room opened and Nainsi, Kai's android rolled in with the emperor and the 11-year-old crown prince behind her.

"Well, looks like someone's finally better at politics than you, Torin." Kai smirked.

"We can certainly say that Her Highness takes after you the most, Your Majesty." Torin bowed. "How may I be of assistance?"

"We were just dropping in." Kai Jr. said, shoving his hands in the pockets of his red and gold jacket.

Kyra poked her tongue out at him and walked over with a coy smile playing on her lips. "And who gave you permission?"

"Dad did." Kai Jr. shrugged.

Kyra pouted upwards at her father. "Dad! You traitor! I told you not to let him in." Kai simply laughed and led Kyra out of the room. Torin looked questioning after them.

"The Kesleys are here." Kai called over his shoulder at Torin. Torin nodded understandingly, tucked his portscreen into the pocket of his immaculate black blazer and followed the emperor, the crown prince and the princess out into the main hall where they would be meeting the Kesleys.

Near the doors, Cinder was standing in a white gown at the staircase, a ruby diadem in the shape of a phoenix on her head, arguing with Iko, who was standing beside her in a black skirt and white blouse, her wavy blue hair in a ponytail.

"Cinder! If you try to take those heels off one more time, I'll make sure that next time, they'll be extra high!" Iko's golden eyes were blazing with fury.

"Excuse me, Iko, who's the empress here?"

"Excuse me, Cinder. Who's got the better taste of fashion here?"

Cinder wobbled over to Kai, who was shaking his head. "Kai! Help me! Iko's gone crazy."

"Wait." Kai Jr. said, confused. "Which 'Kai' do you want?"

"Mom meant dad, you idiot!" Kyra shoved him.

Cinder laughed and hugged Kai Jr. I suppose that either one is fine."

Kai feigned shock and hurt. "But, I thought I was your special 'Kai', Cinder! You betrayed me!"

"Oh yes." Cinder smirked.

The glass doors slid open. Wolf, Scarlet, their 10-year-old daughter Red and their 15-year-old son Michel walked in, wearing jeans and t-shirts flanked by palace androids carrying their luggage.

Red grinned at Kyra, who smiled and waved back. Kai Jr. commed Miko on his portscreen excitedly before going forwards to greet Michel.

The emperor and empress embraced Wolf and Scarlet.

"Long time no see." Wolf grinned, flashing his canines.

"I hope you don't mind." Scarlet removed her hat. "We need some city air sometimes."

Kai and Cinder glanced at the children, who seemed to have a great time catching up with each other. "I don't think the children mind at all."

"Well, that's good." Scarlet said, wiping her brow. "Because I'm telling you, raising a teenager and a tween is hard. Especially if they're always hungry like their dad."

"Tell me about it." Cinder nodded seriously. "Raising three teenagers is harder with all the emotional traumas, the secret crushes, the hormones and everything else."

"And since when does Linh Cinder, the mechanic wear anything like, like this?" Wolf gestured at Cinder's white gown.

"Iko forced me to." Cinder rolled her eyes. "I'm lucky that Winter and Cress aren't here yet."

Iko smiled widely. Scarlet stifled a laugh.

"Well, come this way." Kai gestured towards the dining room. "You're just in time for lunch."

Wolf perked up. "Really? Great, I'm hungry."

"As always." Scarlet chuckled.