DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
Yusuke kept watching as Ema danced among the falling peddles when she stopped and looked to him smiling.
"Come on Yusuke, let's keep looking around some more," she said eagerly as she hurried down the path.
"Alright, I'll be right there, hang on," Yusuke said as he started to follow him.
However, he stopped in mind track when he heard some movement behind him and turned to see a couple other guards coming up to the one currently watching them. One of them whispered into the current guard's ear, who merely nodded.
"She's just down the path here," Yusuke heard them say.
"What's going on?" Yusuke asked.
"Nothing sir, the king and Richard just thought Lady Ema could use a little more protection," said one of the guards as he walked past Yusuke down the path Ema had took.
"Why, what's going on?" Yusuke asked as he followed.
"Can't be too careful, good sir. She is the princess after all," said a second guard.
"But we're in the palace, right? She should be safe, here right?" Yusuke asked.
"It's better to be safe than sorry sir," said another guard.
"Alright," said Yusuke as he hurried up to catch up with Ema.
He and the guards found Ema stopping at a big bush that had dozens of little white flowers all around it. She reached up and gently touched it.
"How lovely," she said, "I guess it is true, some of the more beautiful plant life is found here in Elence huh?"
"One of our greatest prides my lady," said a guard.
Ema jumped and turned to see the increase amount of guards.
"Is there a reason there's more of you now?" she asked timidly.
"As requested by his majesty and the head of security," said one of the guards.
"Oh, I see," said Ema. However, she still reached over and took Yusuke's hand into hers.
"Please don't stray too far away from me," she whispered, "These men seem almost as scary as the ones that took us."
"Yeah, sure, no problem," Yusuke assured her.
"Has anyone from the media arrived yet?" Stephone asked Richard from his office.
"Not yet, but there are some reports some of the are on end route to the palace," said Richard.
"And Robert?" Stephone asked bitterly.
"His car at the front of the convoy," said Richard.
"When he arrives, let me know at once. I wish to meet with him at the front of the palace. I'll face him head on!" Stephone declared.
"As you wish, your majesty," said Richard.
"And Ema? Where is she?" Stephone asked.
"Still in the gardens sir," said Richard.
"Good place for her, safe place," said Stephone, "how many more guards did you issue?"
"At least six more, making it seven all together," said Richard.
"All trustworthy?" Stephone asked.
"Of course, sir," said Richard, "I wouldn't put ones that I don't trust fully in charge of protecting her."
"Very good," said Stephone, "If you get a chance, why don't you make up a list of servants and other staff you know Ema and her brothers can trust. I think it would be wise to let them know who is trustworthy and a list of who you don't trust, ones that are on Robert's side and wouldn't hesitate to perform some sort of evil deed to Ema or her brothers."
"Of courses, I already have Chrissy already working on it," said Richard.
"I want her to be one that welcomes the Asahina brothers to Elence tomorrow when they arrive," said Stephone, "She has the most pleasing face."
"Of course, sir," said Richard, "Sir, what about that one brother, Louis?"
"I want to hear what he might know from himself, if he knows something that might link him to the royal family," said Stephone, "but I'm almost convinced I know who he is, just as I did with Ema." Richard nodded.
"You are going to make sure she doesn't get wind of the media fast approaching," Stephone also made sure to mention.
"Absolutely," said Richard, "hopefully, it'll pass without her even hearing about it."
"Good, good, I need to protect Ema from the harsher reality of being a royal," said Stephone.
"Do you really think something might have happened?" Ema asked as she and Yusuke kept walking down the garden path.
"I don't know, I'm sure they have some sort of complicated reason why so many of these guys are following you," Yusuke said.
"Do you want to just go back to the room? It's a little more uncomfortable walking around with so many following us," Ema said timidly.
"If that's what you want," said Yusuke.
Ema nodded and looked back at the guards, "Hey um, is alright to go back to our room?"
"Yes of course your highness," said one of them.
"I really wish they wouldn't keep calling me that, no matter what everyone keeps saying," Ema whispered to Yusuke.
"Hmm," Yusuke muttered, "Hey, she said not to call her your highness, or majesty or whatever kind of royal title you guys throw around. So, don't!"
"Forgive us," said all the guards.
"Yusuke, you didn't have to yell at them like that," said Ema, "Please excuse my brother, he's just super protective of me. If you slip up and call me something like majesty or princess, that's fine. But please don't feel like you have to."
The guards all nodded. Ema was sure she saw one or two smile at her.
"If you wish to leave the room or have something brought, we're just outside my lady," one the guards said once Ema and Yusuke were brought back to her room.
"And, as always, don't answer unless, myself, Richard or Chrissy knock at the door," Billy said when he suddenly made his way through the crowd.
"Oh, hello Billy," said Ema.
"Hello, how was your walk through the garden?" Billy asked.
"Nice, just a little crowded," Yusuke said looking back at the many different guards.
"Sorry, it was a safety precaution," said Billy, "And also, I came here to let you know that we're probably going to move your brother to another room by the time your other brothers arrive."
"Oh, really?" Ema said as she and Yusuke both looked at each other.
"It's more proper not to have a young lady share a room with a boy, even if he is her brother," Billy explained. Ema noticed his eyes darting to the window, "But you know, his room will be real close to yours, so it's not like he's that far off." As he said that, he started to walk over towards the window, "You two can still spend as much time as you want together, just not sleeping in the same room."
"That's fine, I guess," said Ema, "But is something wrong outside the window?"
"It's just a little cold outside today, I figured we shouldn't risk you catching a cold," said Billy as he tried to close it.
However, Yusuke was quick to act and hurried to the window.
"What's going on?" Yusuke demanded to know as he glanced outside. He looked to the big stone gate that surrounded the palace, and beyond that, he could see lots different cars parked there, with a few more pulling up, "Something happening?"
Ema came and stood at the window as well. "What's going on?" she asked.
"Nothing you need to worry about," said Billy as he shut the window.
"Why not? If she's the so-called princess here, shouldn't she be kept up to date one what's going on?" Yusuke asked.
"Um well, her grandfather thought it might be better if she not worry her head about it at the moment," said Billy.
"Shouldn't that be my choice?" Ema asked, "I'm already filled up with worry about what's happening to me."
Billy sighed before pulling out a phone, "Hey, it's me, listen, the princess caught on that something's up and she's wanting to know what's going on. Mmmhmm, mmmhmm, alright, I'll do that." He hung up and walked over to the TV, picking up the remote, "Long story short, you cousin Robert, the man who had you brought here, went to the media to announce you're here and to pass himself off as the hero who brought you here."
"Hero?!" Yusuke shouted, "He tried to have us killed!"
"I know that, and he knows that, but it'll your word against his and he's a lot more popular here than you or Ema are right now seeing as how no one's even heard of her until now. Anyway, there's a media circus outside the palace walls trying to get more on the story and hopefully a picture of Ema."
"Oh dear!" Ema said looking back to the window.
"Richard said if you want, you can watch some of the video of the news coverage on TV," Billy continued to explain as he turned on the TV. He pushed a few buttons and immediately an image of the palace came on screen with a news reporter standing in front of it.
"That's correct John, we've just arrived in front of the palace where Lord Robert has promised us a first glimpse of the long-lost princess Emma," said one reporter.
"Emma? Are they still going on about that?" Ema asked
"Is this on every station?" Yusuke asked as he tried flipping through the channels. Much to his surprise there did seem to be an abundant amount of different news stations covering the story, even some foreign ones. They even came across a station from Japan covering the story.
"Wow, this got big fast," said Yusuke.
"I don't understand something, why did Robert come forward with this? Wouldn't he want to keep me hidden so I don't get in the way of his ascension to the throne?" Ema asked
"Well if he could, he would. However, he probably figured that your grandfather wouldn't keep quiet for long about your existence, so he figured he'd beat him to the punch and bring you attention before you were ready to face it and either scare you away or make you look bad in the eyes of the people. While the whole time, he looks like the hero and the good guy, the darling prince he's convinced everyone to believe he is. It's a political strategy," Billy explained.
"Cheeky bastard," Yusuke muttered right as Robert came into view and stood in front of the gates. He was smiling smugly before he gently pushed open the gates open and walked straight down the path to the front palace steps. Several of the cameras followed closely behind him, trying to keep up with him.
Just as Robert was about to approach the front steps leading to the palace entrance, the doors flung open and Ema gasped as King Stephone walked out, leaning on his cane in full kingly attire that include a sky-blue coat decorated with several medals.
He stopped at the edge of the steps, looking down at Robert.
"Hello Robert," he said calmly.
"Hello, my beloved uncle," Robert replied cheerfully, "I've come to see my new cousin and to see that she is adjusting well to her new life."
"Well, it's an awkward adjustment to say the least, but I like to think once she's fully got a grasp on the situation she'll welcome it," Stephone replied.
"Good, good, that is wonderful to hear," said Robert, "I would love to see your sweet granddaughter and let her thank me for finally returning her home."
"Perhaps at another time, when she's more adjusted to her new surroundings," said Stephone.
"Why the wait? Surly the people of Elence should be allowed to see their princess after all this time? Many are still in morning after your daughter Princess Yolanda disappeared," said Robert.
"It's just hard for her, waking up one day to discover she's a princess, she's trying to cope with it," said Stephone, "When the time is right, I will allow her to be presented to the people."
"Oh, uncle, are you really going to disappoint everyone here without even so much as a picture she can show of the lovely maiden?" Robert insisted.
"Yes, we will arrange for a picture of sorts to be released of her in the present future, but as for her appearing in person, I will wish to wait for a more appropriate time," said Stephone.
"Uncle, there's nothing you're trying to hide about her, is there?" Robert asked.
"No, it's just as I stated before, she's needs time to adjust and her throwing herself out into the open like this really isn't the best for her now," Stephone insisted.
"I wish to believe you Uncle, I really do," Robert said, making sure to leave a slight skeptical tone in his voice, "And what do you plan to do with your daughter's kidnappers?" One of them is still, at large isn't he?"
"Kidnappers?" Ema said in alarm, "He's not talking about…,"
"Rintaro Hinata, helped Kenji Nagami abduct and force Princess Yolanda to come with them and keep her in hiding her from her beloved people and caring family, and let her die! And then kept her daughter away from her true home and true family and live a life of poverty! I can only assume, you uncle, are going to see to it that Rintaro faces justice!"
"That's not true, none of that is true!" Ema shouted, "he can't get away from this!"
"He's just playing the political felid, that's happens a lot when you're royalty as well," said Billy.
"I want to make a statement on the matter!" Ema declared, "I can't stand him bashing my fathers. Please let me go out there and say something on my dad's behalf!"
"I don't think that's a good idea your highness," Billy tried to persuade her not to.
"Please! I know it might be a little bad for me, but I can't just stand here without at least trying to defend my father! Please, let me go out there! I'll have face the consequences no matter what they are. Please!" Ema begged
"Do it! Get her out there!" Yusuke also ordered.
Billy sighed and pulled out his phone, "Hey, she's wants to come out, and say something. I know I keep telling her that, but she's says she's willing to face it. I've tried, but she's, really instant, so is her brother." There was a slight pause, "Alright," Billy said before looking back Ema, "You sure you want to do this? It's really going to make a big impact," he warned.
"If I'm really a king granddaughter and a princess's daughter, I should have to face something like this eventually," Ema declared. Billy looked a little surprised by Ema response.
"Let's get you out there," he said with pride as he opened the doors to the room and ushered the guards aside to let Ema walk out, with Yusuke right behind her.
Richard leaned over and whispered into Stephone's ear.
"She's what?!" Stephone whispered back.
"According to Billy, she wasn't going take no for an answer," said Richard.
"Oh no," Stephone muttered as he looked back to the palace, "What is she thinking?!"
"You know, you've only known her for about a day sir, maybe she has more strength and courage than you give her credit for," Richard said.
"Uncle, do you have anything to add in regards for calling for Rintaro Hinata's arrest?" Robert asked.
"Not at the moment, seeing as how we don't know all the details yet and would like to look into more. However, I may know someone who can give us a little more incite," Stephone said, "I know I said I didn't want to expose my granddaughter Ema too early, but apparently she feels she's ready to face the public herself and is coming out to make a statement."
The reporters all started buzzing all around.
"This is going to get interesting," Henry whispered behind Robert.
"Let's see what happens this, it'll tell us what angle to go at next," Robert whispered back.
Ema took a deep breath, and started to slow down when she came to the palace front doors.
"Maybe this was a bad idea," she whispered to Yusuke.
"Too late now, just go for it, I'll be right behind you the whole time," Yusuke assured her.
"Alright," Ema said as she neared the doors. Both the king and Richard turned around to look at her.
"Everyone, may I please be the first to present to you, and to Elence, Princess's Yolanda's daughter, my granddaughter, Ema," Stephone said grandly, looking back at the crowd and moving aside gracefully to reveille Ema walking out onto the palace steps.
Ema gasped at the sea of news reporters and camera men. She wasn't sure she recognized any of the names or logos on the cameras or microphones.
"Um, hello," she said timidly waving, "I don't know exactly what's expected of me to say here and now, but I had at least say something. My cousin Robert was misinformed about my father Kenji and my adoptive father Rintaro who raised me. From what I've been told, they didn't kidnap my mother, she went with them willingly. She wanted to get away from the palace life for a while, see the world, have a family in peace. Which she did, when she married my father Kenji and had me. However, she sadly died from sickness and my father or my adoptive father wasn't sure if they could just simply return me to my royal family without complications. They figured that my cousin Robert would do a good job as my grandfather's heir so they decided it would be best to raise me as a regular girl, and happy. Which, up until my father's untimely death in an accident, he did. And when my adoptive father took me in, he continued to as well. I have lived a happy and good life until recently when my cousin Robert found me and thought he'd do the right thing and bring me home. I don't know what's going to happen now that I've been expose to this life, but I did want to let you know, my fathers were not bad men. Please, don't think of them as such."
The media all started to mummer among themselves at Ema's statement.
"Smooth, real smooth," Robert whispered to Henry before walking up the stairs and standing next to Ema.
"How sweet of you to defend your fathers in such a way. However, we still don't know 100% what happened when they took your mother away from her home and family. And we won't know until we find out more, through a thorough investigation, right uncle?" he said boldly.
"I suppose that would be the best," Stephone agreed, "We are going to look into what really happened to Yolanda as best we can."
"And in the meantime, are you or are you not going to officially label Rintaro Hinata as a fugitive and make sure, if he dares tries coming back to Elence, he will be arrested on sight?" Robert asked.
"No!" Ema said in alarm.
Stephone sighed and looked out into the media, "I'm afraid I have no choice, do I? If Rintaro does return to Elence soil, I will have no choice but to have him officially arrested, less we find proof he really didn't in anyway kidnap Yolanda," he said at last.
"Grandfather?!" Ema said. She wanted to get closer to him and try asking him why he had done that, but she saw Richard get in-between her and him.
"Don't," he advised, "Not now, not on camera."
"But," Ema tried to insist.
"Wait for it," Richard whispered.
Before Ema could argue anymore, she felt a hand on her shoulders and realized it was Robert.
"Don't worry my dear sweet little cousin, Emma," he said.
"That's actually not how you pronounce my name," Ema started to say.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's be happy that until we have our little princess Emma back, and whatever new joy her presence will bring to Elence," Robert said out loud in the cameras around him, "Welcome back Princess Emma.
'So, this is finally happening, this is why Billy tried keeping me from doing coming out huh,' Ema thought. However, as she looked up at Robert's smug face, waving out to the sea of people. She felt a twinge of anger go through her. 'But, I'm going still going to face this! I'm not going to run away so easily, especially so I can clear my fathers' names!'