"So, 21 today Kazunari?" The blonde-haired aristocrat smiled, sitting across from Kazunari in the formal study on the main floor. Ryōta Kise, the man in front of him, was a few years older and a few notches lower in wealth. The blonde was single, as far as Kazunari still knew. The aristocrat loved to talk, and do nothing but that. Talk about himself, about his status and business deals, and his relationship status - which rarely changed. Although the man had many female suitors, all of which he felt were of healthy status and appearance, he denied each one a relationship of any kind. Kazunari understood how the man felt, half-hearted relationships were pointless.

Currently, Ryōta was visiting Kazunari to wish him the best on his birthday and the year following. The two men had a long history, being friends since their childhood. Although the senior could be very composed - immensely so during business deals, the man had a very energetic and upbeat side to him. When he let his guard down or had too much to drink, that side of him emerged. Especially, Kazunari noticed, when a certain dark-skinned male was around.

Daiki Aomine, another aristocrat of similar status to Ryōta. Kazunari hadn't known Daiki that long, but he could tell Ryōta fancied the larger man. And why not? Dark skin, gorgeous hair that matched his deep, sapphire eyes - which always had a predatory gleam to them. He was a little shorter than Shintarō, but although the aristocrat was a good piece of eye-candy, the lazy and bored personality ruined it for the young Lord. Besides, no one could match up to his favorite butler.

As Kazunari entertained both of the socialites, Shintarō occasionally would come in and out of the room to refill tea cups or switch out the small plates of appetizers. Usually Ryōta and Daiki were the last to arrive when the friends gathered, but now his other companions were the late ones:

First, there was Taiga Kagami. The man was all fire and fight, but as a famous war-man, his personality definitely suited. The red-and-blackhead was a General of the Army, also known as a Five-Star General. He reigned supreme above the rest, and was the youngest (25 years old) to ever be appointed that position in history. Standing at 6'3", only half an inch shorter than Daiki but a full inch taller than Ryōta, he had a commanding aura in the Army and on the streets. Kazunari had great respect for the man, and although he and Daiki always were competing about something, the General was usually subdued by his companion.

Next, was Tetsuya Kuroko, Taiga's right hand man. He was a Four-Star General, the ranking just below Taiga's. He was very short compared to the rest of his companions, standing at 5'6". Many people thought he was small and fragile, especially with his light blue hair and usually emotionless eyes, but he was quite the opposite. Through and through, the 24 year old was a man, and was able to carry out any orders for the good of his people. Never would he take an order he knew would be foul play, relentless to be fair and tactful in his position of authority. Occasionally, he had to smack some sense into Taiga when he got hot-blooded, but slowly Taiga was learning.

Seijūrō Akashi was another of Kazunari's companions, and had the most imposing role of all: a Prince. His father was of poor health, and Seijūrō was soon to be crowned King. The man had red hair, which was recently cut short, and red eyes. As Tetsuya observed the last time all of them had met, though, his left eye was slowly turning yellow. After that meeting, Shintarō pointed out that his eye started changing color when the King had become bedridden with illness, yet the young Lord chose to ignore what that meant. He was taller than Tetsuya, but only by two inches. Whenever he agreed to meet, he always had his bodyguard with him: Atsushi Murasakibara.

Atsushi Murasakibara was a giant, even taller than Shintarō. The man stood at 6'10", with lavender hair that was pulled back, and bright purple irises. He had a scary face when upset, but usually looked bored and passive. The man was the same age as Seijūrō, 22, but seemed younger despite his height. The man loved sweet things like a child, refused any alcohol that was present in their meetings, since it was 'too bitter and gross'. Yet, despite that, he was the person Seijūrō trusted with his life. When Atsushi became serious, he was an absolute monster. He wasn't as built as Taiga, Daiki, or Shintarō, but with his height he didn't necessarily need the strength.

"Shintarō." Kazunari called to his butler, watching as the man walked inside and bowed. "My Lord?"

"Will you please get the Da Hong Pao tea from the cabinet?" Kazunari looked at Ryōta, Daiki, and the recently arrived Army duo. "I believe the aroma will suit Seijūrō's tastes, don't you?"

A resounding chorus of agreement was the Lord's answer, and Shintarō bowed once again, hand over his heart. "Yes, my Lord."

After the butler had left, Ryōta turned to Kazunari. "So, has Satsuki contacted you yet?" The socialite was referring to a wealthy, young Lady that was currently single. Everyone thought that she would marry Daiki, as they were always so close, but she had declared one day that Lord Kazunari was the one she desired. Although Kazunari hated the idea, and was intending to decline, she had not made efforts to contact him yet.

"No, she has not." A sigh escaped the man's lips, a troubled look casting over his eyes.

"What's troubling you, Kazunari?" Daiki asked, a bit of concern in his voice. He was protective of Satsuki, since he considered her a sister.

"It's just," he eyed the door, making sure Shintarō was not around. "Shintarō advised I accept her proposal, when it comes. Even after I confessed that I wished to decline."

"What did Midorima say?" Tetsuya asked, hands folded neatly in his lap. The man appeared mildly interested, but any since of emotion from Tetsuya meant he was so excited he could not contain it. It touched the Lord to know his friend was so curious regarding his endeavors.

"Huh?!" The young Lord was taken aback by what his butler just told him. "What did you say, Shintarō?"

The butler looked upset, yet covered his discomfort with a professional, calm face. "Well, Lady Momoi is a wonderful woman. Regal, with beautiful hair and a body that-" here he cleared his throat, quite embarrassed about what he was going to say, "-is good for bearing children. Since you're an orphan, and there is no other heir to your name, eventually, you will have to take a wife and bear a child."

If anyone else besides the greenhead could see it, the look on Kazunari's face would have been priceless. Wide, unbelieving eyes and a slack jaw. But, to Shintarō, the look broke his heart. He hated to say the truth like that, especially when he didn't even want it to be true. Yet, the butler knew that his Lord needed a bride, and needed an heir.

"Are you kidding me, Shintarō?!" His tone was sharp, but the man knew it was to cover up the hurt he felt. "That's not what I want to hear!"

"I don't care, my Lord." He locked eyes with his Master, and covered any hurt he himself may have felt. It was his job, sometimes painfully so, to tell his Lord what he needed to hear. "You need an heir, my Lord. Someone to carry on your family's name and your legacy. Lady Momoi is more than enough to give you that. Plus, her wealth and family's business would greatly benefit your own status."

At this point, Kazunari honestly couldn't care less about his status. He knew it was immature of him, he knew he needed an heir and should take a bride, and he knew Satsuki was a good choice - yet, Kazunari couldn't be bothered to care.

Satsuki Momoi was a gorgeous young woman: standing at 5'3", with long, elegant pink hair. She had eyes to match, which were framed with long, pretty eyelashes. She had a large bust and voluptuous hips, which made most men drop to their knees for her, but it didn't effect the Lord that much. While Shintarō kept the man's interest, he knew the butler would never be able to love him romantically. As was the curse of being his dear favorite's savior: he would always be a hero, never an equal.

"Well, he is right." Taiga commented after the Lord had finished his explanation. "You do need an heir, Takao. And Momoi is a good choice."

"You have time, Kazunari." Ryōta spoke up, legs crossed elegantly and hands folded in his lap. His world-class smile was plastered on his face, and the young Lord noticed that Daiki had a hard time taking his eyes off of the blonde. "She hasn't offered anything yet. So, as of right now, don't worry."

Just as Ryōta finished his sentence, a soft knock could be heard at the door, and a muffled "My Lord?" could be heard from the hallway.

"Enter." The door opened and Shintarō could be seen. Behind him were the two people the group had been waiting on. "Ah," Kazunari stood up, a smile on his lips. " Welcome: Seijūrō, Atsushi."

The prince walked into the room, his left eye half yellow and half red, dressed in the finest garments. Atsushi had his hair pulled back, as per usual, and was dressed in a nice, black suit. Seijūrō sat down, while Atsushi took his place to his Prince's his right-hand side.

"My Lord?" Shintarō repeated, still standing by the door. "You have been requested at the parlor."

Kazunari walked towards his butler, hands clasped behind his back. "By whom, if I may ask?"

The butler looked uneasy, then said: "Lady Momoi, my Lord."

I'm sorry that this is shorter but I thought it was a good place to stop! Let me know what you think so far, if you want to :)