Before the ship arrived at the dock, Kiku dressed himself in a white military outfit. He looked at himself in a small mirror as best he could. This was the first time in a long time he'd looked like this. He brushed the thought aside and focused on the meeting he'd soon have with the queen of England.

"What's she like?" He asked Arthur.

"Wonderful." The look on his face as Arthur gazed at the shore made Kiku realize how much he must have been missing his home. "She's surprisingly down to Earth, for someone put so high above the rest of us."

"And the prince?"

Arthur was quiet a moment, "Not so much..."

England was going to be far different from home. That much was for sure.

They went quickly from the port to the castle. A guard currently on duty entered the throne room before they did, announcing their presence, "Your highness. Arthur Kirkland has arrived form Japan with dire news for you."

Kiku was amazed by the two sitting in front of him. A much older woman in a beautiful dress. It was colorful, but graceful. Her hair was silver from age, but she wore it in a bun lined by a crown. She was beautiful in an elegant, kept together, sort of way. She also had a contagious smile. The person sitting next to her was a boy that seemed around Kiku's age. He had blonde hair that was just long enough to rest on his shoulders. He looked stern and straight faced. He looked like he was well behaved in scholarly ways, but might have been a bit of a trouble maker. He also wore bright, but regal clothing. Arthur stepped up to the throne and bowed. "Your highness, I come with grave news. The Emperor of Japan was killed just recently by a group of bandits."

The queen gasped, "What?" Her son leaned forward, listening with intent.

Arthur nodded, confirming for them that they'd heard him correctly, "It is because of this that I have come with the last remaining member of Japan's royal family. Their people have sent with me a plea that you house him for the time being."

"Him?" Both royals looked taken aback. "I thought the king had a daughter." The queen said further.

"No, your highness." This time Kiku stepped up to speak, copying Arthur's action and bowing. "Please allow me to explain." Seconds ticked by like hours for him as he explained his past, the reason he was in hiding, and finally his father's tragic death. He was able to do so in English thanks to lessons from Nao, and mastering the practice in conversations with Arthur. "And I'm sorry my father lied to you." He ended, "I'm sure you can understand that, given the circumstances, the arrangement should be called off."

The queen merely nodded in understanding. Her son, however, looked angered.

"Very well." The queen said, "Prince Kiku..." She paused after prince, as though to emphasize it, "You may stay in our castle until your kingdom feels it is safe for you to return. Arthur."

"Your highness?"

"You followed your orders, even though we told you to guard a princess. You held your responsibilities under the most unpredictable of circumstances. You are a true knight, and I only hope you are able to hold your title proudly." She leaned in and whispered to Kiku, "Unfortunately, our kingdom has been known to knight future cowards." She winked, "I think we picked a good one this time."

Kiku smiled. It was as though they shared a common understanding that usually came from years of communication to harbor. In many ways, the queen seemed like Nao. She even seemed like...

"Mother!" The prince stood up, "How can you believe this? It's clearly a trap. The king showed us pictures of his daughter. How can you possibly think this man is her?"

"My dear son, are you suggesting Arthur, one of your fellow kinsmen, is now a spy?"

"He has been living among them!"

Kiku glanced at Arthur. He looked a bit concerned, but mostly annoyed. He held his composure though.

"Ma'am." Kiku said, "I mean, your highness... If only I could prove to you. Perhaps I could return to our ship and come back with the dress in which you must have seen me. A kimono. It is true that when I wear one I look more... Feminine." He glanced away and blushed slightly at speaking the words.

"You just want to go back to the ship so you can order the soldiers you've brought to march."

"Your highness," Arthur spoke, "There are only six other men with us, and I assure you they are sailors before soldiers. Even if we wanted to attack you, what damage could we do?"

"Everyone calm down." Though she didn't yell, the queen's order did not go unnoticed. The room fell silent. "None of this is necessary. Kiku, you may return to the ship and offer your crew a day to rest here. I'm sure it must be tiring for them being out at sea. Please, ignore my son. He's a hopeless romantic. No doubt you broke his heart."

"Please, mother, as though marrying someone of their kind interests me anymore."

Kiku's eyes widened. Arthur glanced at him.

"Apologize!" The queen ordered, getting stern with a raised voice. "Those sorts of things should never be thought up, let alone spoken."

"I don't need your defense." The prince retaliated.

"Go to your room." The queen's voice raised further. The prince walked off in a huff. Sighing, the queen looked to Kiku apologetically, then to Arthur. "Take Prince Honda to one of the guest rooms please, dinner will be in an hour."

As Arthur lead Kiku though the castle, all he could think to say was, "That went... Well."

"Are you kidding?" Kiku asked with a glare.

"The prince's opinion doesn't matter. As long as the queen trusts you, you're fine."

Kiku sighed, "True..."

"There's a guest room across the hall from my own. You can stay there." Arthur opened the door to a large room decorated in red and gold.

"I'm so tired." Kiku said, sitting down.

"Then rest for a short while. Dinner has another hour, as the queen said."

"That's not really what I meant." Kiku shook his head. He gave a small smile, but his eyes read a sadder look, "You know how you wait for something wonderful, and it seems like forever, but when it finally comes it's not what you expected? I feel like that only... It's over my entire life..."

Arthur sat next to Kiku and gently stroked his hair. "I'll be here." He whispered, "I may not be the best you could have asked for, but I'll be here."

Kiku leaned on him, "But I did ask for you. Funny thing is, I've always been told heaven doesn't send man its angels."

"I'm no angel." Arthur kissed Kiku's forehead.

"But you're all I can't be. And that's what I care about."

The two sat in silence after that. It was broken by a knock heard across the hall. Someone at Arthur's door. He stepped out to meet them- a butler.

"Dinner is ready, sir." He glance behind Arthur, "I assume that is Prince Honda's room?"

"Yes, it is. I'll inform him, thank you." He returned to Kiku, "Are you ready to go eat?"

"I can't be any more prepared than I am now."