Kouen sighed. This wasn't working well. He had a major headache and Koumei disappeared a few minutes after this process started. The director wasn't doing that good a job in his direction of the singing. Not to mention that he had to agree with Kouha, the lyrics were shit in comparison to his other work.
"This isn't working anymore! Fuck this. Figure out who you want to lead the singing in this part of the song. Our harmonizing is nonexistent."
"Kouha, please! I will take the backup and you-"
"And how does that make sense, Gyoku? This song is almost completely about your feelings about my decisions. Why the hell would I be the lead singer. Idiot Director! If you don't figure out what the hell we are supposed to do we can't sing. I don't even understand why this movie is a musical. This whole thing is just a mish-mash of everything we can do. There is no value in having us sing a bunch of songs instead of having us both say a few lines."
Kouen couldn't disagree this time. He had a point.
"Would the three of you stop and just do this so I can go back to hiding behind the cameras. If I can deal with this then so can you. Kouen, stop that train of thought, it isn't helping. Kouha and Kougyoku, just figure out how you both want to sing the song then combine them. Who cares if it sounds good so long as the director is happy. I want to be done with this."
"Meimei, I care! What the hell am I supposed to do if people think I suck at singing because of someone else's poor vision?"
"Like that no-name little sister of yours?"
Who the hell had the nerve to say that about Kougyoku? Kouha turned around so he could see the man insulting her, Kouen and Koumei already facing him. "Coming from a no-name actor like you, Kassim?"
He didn't like that. "At least I'm not holding the entire movie back and wasting other people's time."
"Yet there wouldn't be a movie for you to act and 'waste' your time in if it wasn't for us." Koumei eyed Kouen, getting ready to stop the argument Kouen had almost surely just started.
"The little bitch is supposed to be some pampered brat. She hasn't had to work for a thing in her entire life to get where she is now."
Koumei's patience snapped right there. Screw holding Kouen back, he couldn't stand this asshole. "You have no idea the hard work Kougyoku has put in to get where she is now. You didn't watch her pain. You need to back off before I make it my goal in life to ensure that you are forgotten by every person who has ever watched you. My siblings can definitely outshine you but I can bury you."
Kouha was pulling Kougyoku out of the room. She was already too self-conscious to hear those things. He was pissed at what that nobody had said, but Kouen would make him pay, and if intimidation didn't work Koumei had effective methods as well. For the moment it was more important that he protect his fragile little sister. She was strong but delicate. He had learned that recently.
"Come on, Gyoku. Let's try this song one more time."
He was dizzy. There had been quite a bit going on last night. He took a girl to his room and didn't sleep much either. It wasn't helping the killer headache. It took him a moment to understand what the maid was saying. She wasn't one of his maids. She was one he had assigned to his sister.
"Your Majesty, please! We cannot find the princess anywhere. She is gone. We searched the entire palace, every room, hallway, garden. She isn't here!"
"What do you mean she is gone?"
"The princess is missing!"
This had to be a joke. His face contorted in worry. He jumped out of bed and pulled a robe on. "Call Koumei and Kouen. I want them to meet me in the study. I want the tracker you sent out to meet me as well. I want to know who took her now."
"Yes, your majesty."
…
That country wanted to sign a treaty with his. He had refused. It was a stupid treaty. Now they had his little sister. This was not okay. "What do you think is best? I don't like any of the options you've given so far. Give me something else."
"I would suggest we take them by force, Your Majesty. If we take them by surprise then we will have an even greater advantage. Negotiations leave us too vulnerable at this point."
"I can be ready immediately."
"Then go. I declare war. General Kouen, lead my armies to victory. I don't just want my sister back. I want that country to bow to ours."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And Kouen, make sure they suffer. I do not take kindly to attacks like this. Make sure they fully regret what they have done. Koumei, I expect you to help him strategize for the battle. Ready the soldiers, I want you moving before the sun starts its descent."
Kouha walked away before they could say anything. The sadistic smile on his face growing as he thinks about ways to inflict pain on the enemies. He would not stand for this, ever. They would feel his wrath.
