CHAPTER 3: The Shibuya's

My beautiful husband was standing in front of the staircase, looking into the crystal surrounding my soul. Even though he was more gorgeous than ever, like every time he came to see me, he was worried I could tell. He looked dreadful, and I sensed that he hadn't been sleeping very well the last few days. He fell onto his knees, somewhat saddening me.

"Please tell me where he is," he said. Even though he couldn't hear my voice, even though he couldn't hear my soft reply, I of respect gave one.

"Now that he's captivated my element, water, he's able to travel between dimensions on his own," I said. "He's home."

Given some sort of fancy clothes, the dark brown haired and eyed boy was leading me down a pair of tiny stairs. The walls were pretty plain and white, something that looked like smaller versions of family paintings covering them. I had to admit that I was curious as to where he was taking me, and about where I was. Since this guy spoke Japanese, this was definitely not New Makoku. Or may be an undiscovered part of the country?

"My Dad isn't home at the moment," the boy said. "It's just me and Mum. Don't worry, I'm guessing you have come from New Makoku since you travel through water, my mother will greet you warmly for sure." I rolled my eyes, what kind off talk was this? I didn't want to meet his mother, I wanted to go back to Hahaue and my servants, I hadn't even received my weekly massage.

"Is that you, Yo-chan?" a voice said from somewhere in front of us.

"With a visitor," he replied. We entered a big room, it looked pretty weird and abnormal. A big, black, tiny square was standing in the middle of the room. A grey haired man with glasses was in it, talking about something that I didn't get much of. My eyes wandered from the square to a brown haired lady who seemed to be busy nursing her flowers. I knew I'd seen her somewhere before, but couldn't quite put my finger on who she was.

"Oh," she said. "Who might this be? One of your class mates?" The boy shook his head.

"No, a visitor from another world if I'm not mistaken."

"Another world?" I asked, kinda shocked. "You mean this is not home? Are you playing some kind of trick on me? Because if you are I hope you know that I'm the heir to my father's throne and that you will suffer more horrible punishments than you can imagine if you-" His laughter interrupted me.

"Too many words," he said. I frowned, he was obviously trying to be funny and I didn't like it. People shouldn't be too cheerful. The brown haired woman gasped, and even though she covered her mouth with a hand I could see a smile, spreading across her face.

"Heir? To New Makoku's throne, am I right? Who might you be?" I cleared my throat, deciding to be as polite as possible. If I answered this woman with any sign of disrespect, Hahaue wouldn't like it and it would bring shame upon my country as I was it's future king.

"Soon to be the 28th Maou of New Makoku, Ronja Shibuya," I replied. The smile on her face widened, and she opened her arms, running towards me. I didn't have time to react before she was already holding me in a typical, motherly, suffocating embrace.

"I knew I'd seen you somewhere before," she said happily. "Even though you've grown so much.. How is Wolfram?"

"Ehhr.. Hahaue, is fine," I replied, not really knowing how to react due to the situation I was in.

"Yo-chan, say hello to your nephew." The boy called Yo-chan smiled at me.

"Nice to meet you, Ronja. I'm your father's little brother, Yosuke Shibuya."

"Then you are..?"

"That's right," the lady smiled. "I'm your grandmother, Miko Shibuya."

"What's up with that," I said, to myself mostly. "Without foreboding I'm sent off to the house of my granny-"

"How dare you call me granny," she said. I cold sweated, gran- no, Miko could sure be scary if she wanted to. Nothing scared me more than angry women. Unless they were my age.

"Call me Jennifer." When saying that, she interrupted my thoughts, and she was just as cute as she had been to begin with. Behind her I spotted my uncle smiling, he couldn't be much older than myself. I raised an eyebrow, I didn't like him. He was so.. Happy.

"Isn't your name Miko?" I asked, not taking my eyes off him. He ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, seeming to wait for his turn to speak.

"Yes, but I prefer Jennifer. It was my nickname in high school," she smiled. "I have to call Shoma-chan. He can't miss this." With that, she picked up a white, little square, leaving me alone with my uncle, which I already could say I wasn't very found of. There was something about me and uncles, they were either too angry or too happy. Uncle Konrad was somewhere in the middle.

My eyes wandered from Jennifer, who was happily talking to herself whilst having the white square pressed against her ear, to the small paintings on the table behind me. There was one with Jennifer, a black haired man and two black haired boys. I scanned the one without glasses. Could it be..?

"Yes, that is your father, Yuuri." I looked to my left meeting the eyes of my uncle. He smiled, and I couldn't help suspecting that he had read my thoughts. I raised an eyebrow, I just disliked him more and more. But of course, Hahaue would be disappointed and so would Dad if I didn't treat his family with respect so I didn't say anything.

"Are you like a mind reader or something?" I asked, trying to sound polite.

"No," he replied. "I could just clearly hear what you were thinking."

I was sitting on the Maou's throne, greeting all the guests who'd come from other countries allied to New Makoku. This year it was supposed to be my son's job since he had to prepare to become the Maou, but since no one seemed to know where he was, I could do nothing but take the situation into my own hands. I could barely sit still, I was worried sick about my son. That almost changed when seeing a certain blonde haired king enter the Great Hall.

"Wolfram Geika," he greeted, and they both, the king and his servant, bowed slightly.

"King Sararegi, Beries," I greeted. "Thank you both for coming." King Sararegi smiled nervously, playing with his blonde hair. Due to that he wasn't leaving the room, I knew he wanted to ask a question, and I knew exactly what it was.

"Was there anything else?" I asked. He nodded.

"I was just.. I mean, isn't it the Maou's duty to greet people this year?" I sighed.

"Look, if you wanna' talk to Ronja, he's not at home. Any message?" Disappointment spread over the human king's face. I knew he probably wanted to speak to my son due to the marriage proposals, which he had ordered to be declined by Raveryn. The young king and his servant bowed again, before leaving the room. I looked down on my hands. They were shaking.

Ronja, where are you?

The door opened and Yozak entered. He had a smile spread across his face; he hopefully had good news.

"I carry a message from Shinou's temple," the orange haired man said.

"You may continue," I replied, playing with my fingers.

"Ulrike has located His Majesty's soul. He's on earth."

I had to laugh, looking through something called a photo album Grand- I mean, Jennifer had given me. There were pictures of Dad and his older brother, who according to Yosuke was named Shori, and Dad was wearing little dresses and other girly clothes. I had to admit that he looked kinda'cute.

I imagined the painting of him, that hung beside Shinou Heika and the Great Sage back home. He looked so glorious, so undefeatable in it. Even though I didn't understand father's intentions of sending me here, I was glad he had, I felt somewhat closer to him being in the house where he'd grown up.

"You look a lot like him," a voice beside me said. I turned around, looking into my grandfather's eyes, who'd skipped work to see me.

"I do not," I said. "I don't wear dresses, never did." He took the book from my grasp, seeming to look for a certain photo, or photos. He put it on his lap, pointing at a picture of Dad in his later years.

"Just like him," he repeated, smiling widely. I scanned his face, he surely seemed happy even though he'd lost one of his children. I admired him and Jennifer (who was making dinner), who I guessed to be very strong. I wonder what Hahaue would do if he'd lost me. Or Greta.

"Is something in the matter?" uncle Yosuke asked. I bit my lower lip.

"I have to go home," I replied. "Hahaue is probably worried sick. I didn't tell him where I was going 'cause.. Well, I didn't really get a chance to." I clenched my fist, it was all my stupid cousin's fault.

"Which is why I have called for reinforcements," Grandpa smiled.

"Reinforcements?" I asked. "Why, are you starting a war because I'm here?" I frowned when Yosuke laughed, I couldn't help that I didn't understand the way of this world. Grandpa shook his head, and all of the sudden a ringing sort of sound could be heard. I covered my ears, what was happening? Was this some sort of war alert? Was someone attacking their house?

"It's the door bell," Yosuke whispered, when noticing how I was suffering from the sharp sound. What was a door bell anyway? In came a black haired man, who held hands with a blonde haired woman. The man and Grandpa greeted eachother, the man's voice sounded very familiar. I also felt weirdly connected to the woman, but I'd never seen either one of them before.

I scanned the lady. She had blonde, curly hair and dark brown eyes. She had a slim body, a body any girl would probably die for. I had to admit that she was very good looking, but there was just something about her that I didn't like. I felt annoyed with her, annoyed with her presence. The man's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"My oh my you have grown since I last saw you," he said, smiling.

"Is this him?" I asked. "Is this Dad's older brother?" The man laughed.

"This is the first time I've ever been mistaken to be the brother of my friend," he replied. "I'm Ken Murata. Pleased to meet you again, Your Majesty."