CHAPTER 4

Meanwhile in a kingdom far, far away… east for the sun and west for the moon lied the beautiful kingdom of Nouraisia. In the heart of the holy city Dohl, lied the great palace where the young prince lived. Since his return from the Great Race of Oban, the kingdom lived under peace and harmony, now that the crogs had lost the war. For the people of Nouraisa the prince was a hero! Even the king and the queen were pleased with the victory! But even though he felt happy for his kingdom, he still felt like there was something missing. Every night since the race he'd look up to the stars trough his window thinking of her. His earth princess. His mother, the queen, was the only one who could understand him. She knew how much he missed her, but never spoke of it. The fear of making him lose his focus on the kingdoms future was far too big than how she'd loved to make him happy. The young prince also knew his duties to the kingdom and never lost the focus on its future, but one day he had to keep his promise to Eva.

"Very good, my prince! We are done for today, you can go and rest for now."

"Thank you, Canaan. I look forward to the training tomorrow", the prince bowed to his fencing master, left the training room and made his way to his room. As he was walking through the halls of the palace, he found his mother staring at the stars through one of the windows. "Mother?". She turned around and made a sign telling him to come closer. "Look at the sky, my son. What do you see?", she asked him.

"I can see the stars…"

"That is right. But look closer, what do you really see?"

He leaned closer to the window and tried to understand what his mother meant. But he couldn't figure it out. "I don't understand, mother. What do you mean?".

"I noticed that you have been watching the stars a lot lately. Actually since the day you returned home from the race. Is there something you want to tell me, Aikka?"

"I…"

"Yes? You know you can trust me. You can tell me anything, Aikka.", his mother said and stroke his back. Aikka didn't know how to tell his mother about his feelings. Maybe she wouldn't understand. He was so unsure, even though it was his mother.

"Were you thinking of that earth girl perhaps?"

He's eyes widened and his cheeks burned when he heard his mother asking him about her! "H, how did you know…?", he asked her. "I have always known, Aikka. Since the day you came home you told me and your father a lot about this earth girl.", she smiled. Aikka blushed only thinking about how embarrassing this was.

"You have nothing to ashamed of, my son. I was once a young girl too. When there was someone I missed, I did not tell anyone about it. I kept it inside me causing me more pain!"

The queen really understood Aikka's feeling! She had never been so open and understanding like this before! "I wish to see her again. I promised that I would show her my kingdom.".

"Then why are you still waiting for the time to fur fill your promise? Are we not know for keeping our promises?"

"You're certainly right, mother! I shall call her by the break of the dawn."

"As you wish. You have my permission to do so. Until then, rest my son. We have a lot to do tomorrow. Good night.", she said and walked away.

"Thank you, mother. Good night. And good night to you too, my earth princess. We will see each other again very soon. I promise.", he thought looking out at the stars.

And so he did. He called her friend Rick. He knew that he was a very dear friend of her. When he called, Rick was surprised to see him. Aikka gave him an invitation to his kingdom and of course he wanted Eva to know it too as well. She could take who ever she wanted with her. She was welcome to his kingdom and he would wait for her to answer before making any preparations for her arrival.

Back on earth Eva couldn't wait to tell her dad about the invitation. She had to figure out a way to convince him since she knew that he was a bit hardheaded. While she waited for him to come home she read a book about the, about the culture, the food, flowers etc. After an hour later she fell asleep on the couch. When her dad came home he wondered why she was sleeping there and carried her to her bed and tucked her inn. He sat beside her and watched her sleeping peacefully. "Good night, Eva", he whispered in her ear. Then he closed her door and picked up the book lying down on the floor. He put the book back on the shelf without even bothering to look at what she was reading.

"Mmm… how long have I been sleeping?". Eva stretched her arm and yawned. Then she realized that she wasn't on the couch anymore. She shook her head and got dressed.

"Morning, Dad!".

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah… but how did I end up sleeping in my room?"

"I saw you sleeping on the couch, but I carried you to your room so you could sleep better. What were you doing last night since you fell asleep?"

"I was… eh… reading"

"That's why there was a book on the floor?"

"Yeah… I was reading while I waited for you."

"Why did you wait for me?"

"I wanted to ask you something…I have a frie-", she started.

"Yes?"

Eva stared at her father leaving an awkward silence. "Come on Eva! You have to tell him about Aikka! It's now or never!", a voice inside her said.

"I got an invitation from a friend you see…"

"What is this invitation about?"

"Uhm… he kinda wants me to come visit him, but the problem is that he kinda lives far away…"

"Who is this friend?"

"It's Aikka… he wants me to come visit his kingdom". Her heart skipped a beat and couldn't stop herself from blushing. Don on the other hand was slightly surprised. He knew who Aikka was, but then again he couldn't believe what he just heard.

"So… what do you think?"

"Why should… you go?"

"First of all, Aikka called Rick and told him about the invitation. Second, Rick also got invited to Nouraisia as well as I got invited in the first place. And I'd loved to go, but the thing is I have to hear what you think first…"

"I,I don't know what to say…"

"Please Daddy? Please! I promise nothing bad will happen and besides I'm 18 now! You know I can take care of myself! I can take Rick and Stan and Koji with me if that's what you want. But please?"

"I don't know…"

"Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do! But I'm kind of afraid to lose you again."

"But Dad! At least consider it! Besides we have a long vacation now and I don't want to spend it sitting home all day!"

"I know, I know… it's just that I don't trust that boy…"

"Dad! Aikka promised to take care of me! If anything happens I'll let you know. What do you mean you don't trust him? You let Alan come and visit me and me visit him, but you can't let me see Aikka? That doesn't make any difference!"

Don sat still. He was speechless. He knew that she was right, but he didn't know why he couldn't let her go. She was old enough to take care of herself, but he couldn't bear to lose her again. Finally he changed his mind.

"Okay… I'll let you visit him, but remember… I trust you", he sighed.

"Really?"

"Yes, but one condition! You have to take Rick and the other boys with you! And remember to call me when you get there."

Eva couldn't believe it! She was overjoyed that he finally let her go! She ran to her room and began packing her bags. After packing her bags she called Rick right away!

"Rick!"

"Hey, little mouse. What's up?"

"Guess what? My dad said yes!"

"Really? That's awesome! I'll tell the prince you'll come visit him then!"

"Yeah! But dad said that I could go only if you, Stan and Koji could come with me…"

"Well, I can come, but I have to hear with Stan and Koji first, then I'll make a call to your sweet prince."

"Rick!", she said and blushed.

"Bet you're blushing now! Hahaha, I'll call you later little mouse!"

He hanged up and smiled. "Hey, Rick sweetie.". Rick turned around and realized that Alice was standing behind him.

"You look kind of tired. Do want to grab some coffee?"

"Yeah, sure!", he said and put his arm around her. Alice blushed and giggled. She was thinking how lucky she was to have Rick. Even though he looked like a cold, shy guy on the outside, Alice knew that he was an adorable little puppy on the inside.

"Who called you?", she asked him.

"Eva. She told me that she could go visit Aikka, but only if I and Stan and Koji could come along."

"Who's Aikka?"

"He's the prince of Nouraisia and very close friend of Eva. Eva told me that he made a promise to her showing his kingdom. That's why we got invited. I'd like to go too, but first I have to talk with Stan and Koji! Do you think we could stop by and talk later?"

Alice nodded and both laughed. After drinking a couple cups of coffee, Rick made his way to the mechanics. He knew that the guys were still working at Miguel's. When he got there he couldn't find them anywhere! He looked around the machines and between the tools. "Where are those guys?".

"Hey! Hey, you! What do you think you're doing here?".

"Miguel!"

"Huh? Do I know you?"

"It's me Rick! Don't you remember me?"

"Rick…? OH! RICK! Long time no see, my boy! What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for Stan and Koji. Have you seen them?"

"Yeah, they just went out to buy some screws, but why don't you sit down and tell me what happen lately! I heard that you quit racing…"

They sat down on a dusty old couch in the backroom talking about racing, Rick's new job, life etc. Finally an hour later Stan and Koji came back with a gigantic bag of screws.

"Did you really have to mention all the screws in the book, Koji? It's took us years!"

"Talk about yourself! If you didn't flirt so much with the cashier lady, maybe it wouldn't take so long!"

"Hey, guys! Long time no see!"

Stan and Koji turned around and saw Rick leaning on the door to the backroom. "Rick! Hey, man! Long time no see!".

"Nice to see you again! How are you?", Koji asked him and pushed Stan to the side.

"I'm still same old me. How about you guys?"

"Were still the same old Stan and Koji", Stan said smirked.

"But what are you doing here, don't you have work to do?"

"Yeah… we can talk about it later, I'm kinda in a hurry. I came here to ask you a favor."

"What is it?"

Rick walked closer to them and told them about the invitation. Their eyes

popped out when they heard it. "So, what do you say guys?".

"That's sound awesome! Count me in!", said Stan.

"Me too! But how do we get there?", Koji asked.

"Can't you guys make some sort of portal to Nouraisia or build a ship to take us there?"

"Yeah, sure we can. But it'll take days. Can you wait for so long?"

"As long as you guys figure out a way!"

"Okay! We'll begin with it right away!"

"Awesome! See you later guys!", Rick said and walked out of the shop. He picked up his phone and dialed Eva's number.

"Hello?"

"Guess what, little mouse!"

"What?"

"We're going to Nouraisia!"