Makoto knew he was in trouble. There was no way he was going to make it back in time so he rubbed his lamp and summoned Haru. He wasn't too happy.

"I told you to only summon me for emergencies."

"This is one! The ambassador from the next kingdom over is here and I need to get home now," cried Makoto.

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Please send me back right now," begged Makoto. "Use your magic to transport me back to my room in the palace! Please Haru!"

Haru knew his friend needed the help so he waved his hand and the blue mist surrounded them. In the blink of an eye, Makoto stood in his room in his princely robes. He profusely thanked his Djin friend for saving his skin that he didn't hear the knocking on his door.

"Yes, come in."

It was Nitori Aiichirou, a servant to the royal family.

"Hello Your Highness, the ambassador has arrived. Shall I escort him to the study room?"

"Yes, that would be great. Thank you Nitori," Makoto said with a smile.

The Prince entered the study to find Sousuke waiting for him.

"Your Higness, good to see you again," he greeted.

"Your Excellence, I trust your journey here was safe?"

"Had a little hiccup on the way in but it was all sorted in the end. Now, I don't know about you, but let's drop the formalities?"

"I'm all for it Sousuke," beamed Makoto.

"Excellent. So, what is on the agenda?"

"From what I understand, there are some trade agreements and border strengthening to discuss. But it seems to me that you should relax after your long journey."

"That would be wonderful."

"I'll have Nitori escort you to your room."

"Sir, if you could follow me."

"Just a moment. I have another companion with me and she will need a room as well."

"I was under the impression you were traveling alone," wondered Makoto.

"I only met her today on my way to the palace. She saved a boy from my camel's feet. I offered her a job as a reward."

"Oh, who is she," asked Makoto.

"Ah, there she is. Prince Makoto, meet my new personal assistant. Eimi."

Makoto turned to see his friend Eimi standing before him. His eyes wide in shock. Eimi seemed confused by the Prince's face. She then smiled and bowed.

"It is a pleasure Your Highness."

Makoto seemed to have froze; like a deer caught by a predator. Sousuke seemed rather amused.

"Nitori, please escort us to our chambers," Sousuke said.

"Of course, this way my lady."

Nitori and Eimi left while Sousuke clapped Makoto on the back.

"She's a beauty isn't she? I was quite taken by her."

"She-she," Makoto stuttered.

"I'd best be off. See you at dinner?"

Makoto nodded and Sousuke left. Haru then materialized before him without having to be summoned.

"You handled that well," he deadpanned.

"Do you think she recognized me?"

"Hard to say. Things will certainly be interesting."

"What am I gonna do? I only know how to act as Mako around her!"

"Then maybe now would be a good time to tell her who you are."

"I can't! She might hate me for lying to her!"

"I'm sure she would understand if you explained it to her."

"I don't know. I just can't do it right now."

"Whatever, I'm going back."

Haru disappeared back into his lamp leaving a distraught Makoto. Meanwhile, Nitori showed Eimi to her room that was next to Sousuke's.

"Here are your chambers. I will return when dinner is served. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Um, can you deliver a message for me?"

"Of course."

"Can you tell Mako where I am? He works here at the palace and I was hoping to see him."

"Mako? That name doesn't sound familiar to me."

"You sure? He said he's worked here his whole life."

"I've only been here a few years myself. Perhaps I just haven't met him, but I can't ask around."

"Thank you, Nitori."

"I will see you at dinner, my Lady."

"Oh, please just call me Eimi."

"As you wish, Eimi."

Nitori left while Eimi looked around her room. Lush and beautifully colored rugs adorned the floor. A huge bed that felt like you were sleeping on a cloud and a closet full of silk robes in every color. And the jewels, worth more than she could ever afford.

"This has to be a dream," she sighed. "But I'm here to help Sousuke, be serious."

In Sousuke's room, he was settling in when his two Djinn's appeared.

"Finally! Needed a good stretch," said Rin.

"Your assistant looks really pretty Sousuke," said Gou.

"She's beautiful," sighed Souskue.

"Why her though," asked Rin.

"Well, if all goes well; she's going to be my wife."

"I love weddings," cried Gou.

"Does she know that," asked Rin.

"She will, after we've gotten to know each other a bit better. But honestly, it doesn't matter to me how long we've know each other. I have a good feeling about her."

"Well, I do hope things will work out," smiled Gou. "May I go find Haru? I long to see him!"

"Sure. Rin, can you make sure she doesn't cause any trouble," asked Sousuke.

"Geez, why do I have to babysit her?!"

"You're her brother. Who better to watch out for her than you," said Sousuke.

"Ah, fine. Let's go Gou."

"It's Kou!"

The two Djinn's disappeared and went to find Haru. Rin sent a message that only Djinn's could receive and Haru appeared before them.

"Rin, Gou," greeted an impassive Haru.

"Haru! My beloved!"

Gou rushed to him and hugged him tight. She was so happy she didn't correct him. Then Rin pulled her off.

"Watch your manners little sister," barked Rin.

"Leave me alone, Shark tooth," snarled Gou.

"So what are you two up to," asked Haru.

"Just trying to stretch out. Been in that lamp too long. Would have been here sooner if Sousuke hadn't stopped to pick up his new 'assistant'," smirked Rin.

"Oh, you mean Eimi?"

"Yeah, how did you know her name," asked Gou.

"Long story short, Makoto knows her. The problem is, she thinks he's just a servant here at the palace and not the Prince."

"Are you serious? Why would he go and do that," asked Rin.

"He likes that she doesn't treat him like a Prince. I'm sure he's in love with her, but he's too scared to tell her the truth."

"Uh-oh, this could be a problem," cried Gou.

"Why," asked Haru.

"Sousuke plans to marry her by the end of the trip," sighed Rin.

"What do we do," asked Gou worriedly.

"We really shouldn't meddle," said Haru.

"Yeah, but maybe we can make things more interesting," smiled Rin.

"How, brother," asked Gou.

"Haru can try to keep convincing Makoto to reveal who he is to her and we can play Sousuke and Makoto off each other."

"See which one she likes more and let her choose," said Gou.

"I don't know. I don't want to see Makoto and Eimi get hurt."

"It'll be fine. What's the worst that could happen," said Rin.