Part 4 : On The Eve of the Ball

"It's not the mere question of when, but what exactly dose it mean," Koushiro replied as he inspected the lettering that he found on that plaque, far north from the castle in and isolated forest.

"How, can you be so sure that it is my brother that it is indeed talking about?" Hikari questioned him as she read over his shoulder the weird lettering. She frowned at it with confusion, "It's got to be some other language. And you know in Britannia that we speak English. Am I not correct?" she asked.

"Your very right about that Princess, but with out doubt it's got to be Taichi, it for tells of something significant happening, with in these next couple of days," he studied it further.

"You CAN read it??" Hikari question, she was bewildered that he could even do such.

"Some of it, I've studied this language."

"But you just told me other wise!" she cried a little frustrated with the count.

"I did not tell you other wise princess, I told you that it was in another language. It wasn't till now was I able to make out exactly the meanings of the plaque."

The Princess frowned then sat next to Koushiro, "Then please enlighten me and tell me what it says about my brother," she tapped her fingers on the table as she waited for him to go on.

"It says…something about exile, but I would have to look into it a little bit further. I'll call for you when I do find out more," he replied and continued to stare at the paper in front of him determined to understand what the meaning was of the plaque.

"Very well, let me know immediately when you find something new?" she asked.

Koushiro nodded "Good day, Princess."

"Good day," Hikari made her way out of the castle library, then down the hall. 'Exile…. what could that mean…there is no way my brother will be exiled he is the air.'

Out in the courtyard Mimi was sitting down on a bench she looked out into the far corner she could see blonde hair, 'Yamato?' she thought to herself curious. Then getting up, having her curiosity get the better of her she approached the blonde hair boy that was sitting down in the far corner on a bench.

"Prince Yamato?"

"Yes, How can I.." he stopped mid-sentence seeing Mimi walking toward him, "Ah, Princess Mimi. It's been a while."

She nodded, "Yes it has, I heard from Jyou that you were here. How come you didn't tell me you were invited?" she wondered.

"I didn't see it necessary to tell you, Princess, after all you are to marry the Prince Taichi," he walked away slowly.

"Wait!" she shouted, Yamato stopped but he didn't turn around to face her, "it was not my decision to do this. My father thought Taichi was the best suitor for me," her tears spilled down her cheeks, "Please understand that I didn't intend to hurt you."

He continued toward the castle once again, he was only out there to get fresh air and to think. Not to talk to Princess Mimi he was upset all right, but he had thought that he had put it behind him when he came to the Yagami territory.

"I hate this father!" Taichi screamed, Sora frowned slightly as did Hikari.

"I thought we went over this son," the King replied.

"WE DID! And I don't like it, why do you have to move up the ball to tonight? I mean give me some mere time to get the handle of all this that is happening!" he replied pure anger was in his voice as well as frustration.

He had voiced out his dislike of this whole situation. But it was forced upon him. To marry Princess Mimi of Tachikawa territory. He loved Sora, she was his whole life and so be it if they get caught, he would do anything for her even give up his hire to the thrown.

"Taichi you must listen to your father, he means well by his actions," his mother told him softly, "We care for you, and we only want to see what's best for the kingdom. And that's to bring together our two kingdoms. If you marry her it will help with that."

Taichi sighed, "I must leave. I do not wish to talk about this now. I know I won't win," with that he walked out of the room.

"The boy is seriously mistaken if he can walk out on this marriage arrangement," his father said with seriousness.

The queen rubbed his shoulders gently, "I think he has another love, darling. Just give him time to adjust to leaving that love."

Sora's eyes widened as she heard the queen comment about it, Hikari took notice and eyed her carefully.

"Another love who is not fit to be crown Queen in the future! if she is a peasant I will have her killed!" he growled with anger, his son was not going to screw up his life for a love of a peasant he was royalty. He would not allow such a thing to happen.

"That's all to hastily, I only said that I thought he had a love. I don't know for sure."

"Mom, dad if you excuse us," Hikari asked.

"Yes, go ahead daughter," The king said to her.

The two bowed to him the left the room. Hikari closed the door to the room and turned to Sora.

"What has brought the look of worry in your eyes Sora?" she wondered staring trying to see if she could get a guess of what was happening in Sora's mind.

"I don't know what your talking about Princess," she replied, she began to walk away from her.

Hikari only chased after, "Sora! I know you. When you call me Princess you're hiding something!" she cried.

Sora stopped suddenly, Hikari almost bumped into her, "There is nothing Hikari, please just let it go."

Hikari frowned, "This better not be huge, that it could cost you to lose your position."

Sora said nothing, and bit her bottom lip. Her nerves were unsteady, and Taichi's sister was close to figuring out what was up.

Yamato was lost in thought when some one ran into him both of them fell.

"Watch where you're going!" they both repeated at the same time then Yamato looked up at the person he bumped into, "Prince Taichi."

"Ahh, Prince Yamato. I'm sorry for not watching where I was going," Taichi pushed himself up, "I actually want to talk with you if you don't mind."

"What would this be about?" Yamato asked.

"Princess Mimi."

In her room the princess sobbed on a pillow. There was a knock on her door, "Who's there?" she called out trying to hide the fact that she had been crying.

"Mimi, are you okay?" Jyou called through the door.

She said nothing then let out a sigh, "Nothing is fine Jyou. He hates me for being picked my King Yagami to marry his son."

"Ah, I see you're in a deep struggle on seeing what is the right thing to do," he replied. He walked to her and patted her on the head, "Princess, you know I think you as a sister. I care for you a lot, and I want to see you happy."

"I know you do, but Jyou what do I do? My heart is not in the place of where my parents want," she whispered, still the tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Your parents think best that you marry their son, on accord that the Yagami royals are supposed to be close allies. They want this to create further more prosperity between our two lands," he explained.

"I didn't see it like that," she wiped away her tears with her sleeve, "But they don't understand that they could just snap me and Yamato's arrangements! Just to suite them selves! They could have asked."

"But the did not cause the could see that your involvement with Yamato grew," he walked to her door and turned around to face her once again, "You shouldn't worry Mimi, I feel there are other things that are brewing in the wings. Prince Yagami isn't happy with the situation either. That leaves to believe that he too has someone special," with that word he left the room closing the door behind him.

Things grew lighter for the princess she was happy to hear those words from Jyou, though he was her fathers right hand man. He was very loving and caring to her as he was her own brother, and if he was right about Prince Taichi then there was hope for her love with Yamato to break through this situation.

"A favor of what sorts, Prince Taichi?" Yamato questioned eyeing his rival of feeling for Princess Mimi.

"A favor, I'm sure you won't put down," he replied meekly. The two stood staring at each other in the halls.

"And what would that be? I'm not in the mood to put up with your guessing games," he replied a little angered.

"I'll tell you but not here. Come and follow me and we shall discuss it in further details," Taichi said to him and turned and started down the hall ways, the prince was confused but he decided to follow Taichi and find out what this proposition was.

In the courtyard of the Yagami castle, the two royals from the Ishida kingdom wandered about, neither of them talked to each other much.

"You know I stand a better chance then you," Takeru replied, "Just because I'm a prince after all."

"Stand a chance at what? Wooing her? Over me women partially fall at my feet begging for marriage," Daisuke quarreled.

Takeru began to laugh, "Cause your foot is too big, they fall over by accident."

"For your information I would have the better chance then you. Cause most of the ladies think you are a eunuch," he said smartly.

Takeru drew his blade, "I am not such thing!" he shouted.

"Hikari will be mine!" he shouted back, and he pulled his blade from his stealth.

And with that the two ran forward toward each other each welding their swords high, and then clashing their swords together.

But as this was going on, Koushiro came running to the fry. He knocked there swords away quickly then stood staring at them, "Are you both mad!" he cried.

"I am neither!" Takeru growled starting at Daisuke with angrier.

"And you for see yourself to be King of the Ishida kingdom you never will! Your brother is first in line!" Daisuke shouted at him.

"What nonsense has gotten to your minds? You are supposed to be allies!"

"Not when it comes to the matters of the heart," Daisuke said giving Koushiro a look then made sure to keep his eyes on his friend.

"Be you will, you both have a ball to attend and if you show up all bruised and battered that won't be my problem. Princess Hikari won't be too impressed,"

The two boys look at the elder one, and then they slowly put their swords back.

"You do have a point Count," Takeru replied then cleared his throat, "I shall be heading to my room to change. The ball is this evening," he explained.

"And I shall head to my room as well," Daisuke wiped his clothing, and breathed in, "This will be my night."

With that the two boys retreated to there rooms quietly each plotting on there own way to win the fair princess's heart.

To Be Continued….