DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM

Rintaro sat in his and Miwa's hotel room watching the media coverage of the revealing of Ema as the princess and him as a fugitive.

"Damn it!" he muttered, "Now I can't go and get her!"

"I didn't see Yusuke there; do you think he's okay?" Miwa asked, "Masaomi said he was with Ema when they took her right? I know Ema's in more of a predicament, but I'd like to know he's alight as well!"

"I'm sure he's fine," Rintaro assured her, "I actually think I saw him in the background inside the palace."

"Did you?" Miwa said, sounding relieved, "But what are we going to do about you?"

"I'm not too worried, seeing as how I know the king. I can understand him having to band me from his country, but I doubt he's going to put much effort into hunting me down to "arrest" me. All I can do is keep in touch with Ema and try to convince them that I did not actually kidnap Yolanda all those years ago. Although, in a weird way, we did kind of. I mean, we had to hide her true identity and sneak her out, and that can count as kidnapping, I suppose," Rintaro explained.

"But she went with you willingly, right?" Miwa reminded him.

"Even still, all that sneaking around, one could call it kidnapping," said Rintaro, "But hopefully Stephone can find a way around it. At most, I can't go to Elence to see Ema."

"Well, I can go to Elence!" Miwa declared, "Maybe I should, and get Ema and Yusuke out of there."

"I don't know if that's such a good idea at the moment," said Rintaro, "They might try arresting you as my accomplice, especially if you don't tell them where I am currently."

"But what about my sons? They're all going! Are they going to be okay?" Miwa asked in alarm.

"Masaomi said they're going there as ambassadors, representative of Japan. They're going to be treated as honored guests. I'm sure the king made that arrangement before Robert forced him to label me as a fugitive," Rintaro said calmly, "And it's been a while since we've last been home and we barely tell them full details where we go. So, I doubt they can do much to them."

"Still, I don't know if I can stay away with all my children there," Miwa said.

Before Rintaro could reply, Miwa's phone started to go off.

"Oh, it's Louis," Miwa said as she answered, "Hello, dear, is everything alright?"

"Mother, you heard about what happened to Chi and how we're going to Elence to see her?" Louis asked.

"Oh yes, I did dear," said Miwa, "Your dad and I are currently discussing this right now."

"Mother, I'm a little concern," said Louis, "I had to speak to the king alone and he seemed interested in meeting me in person out of all my brothers, since apparently I'm adopted. He seemed to know me somehow."

"Know you? How could the king of Elence know you?" Miwa asked.

"I don't know for sure, he said he'd tell me more when I arrived, but I wanted to know. Was there anything in regards to my adoption that said anything about my past?" Louis asked.

Miwa was quiet for a moment, "Nothing that I didn't already tell you. It was said you were found abandoned at a local store out in a middle of nowhere in the countryside of France," she said, "and when I first saw you at the orphanage, I just fell in love with you and wanted you to be a part of my family and so did your father."

"You sure I was abandoned?" Louis asked.

"That's what the storekeeper and his wife that found you claimed. It was late at night and they thought they heard a car driving away fast. When they came outside to investigate, they merely found you huddled up next to one of their outdoor machines, all dirty and alone wearing a pair of overalls that had your name on the front. They merely assumed that the car they heard driving away had left you there for some reason or another," Miwa said, "I told you that a long time ago, remember?"

"Yes, I do," Louis recalled, "I just wondered if there was anything else you didn't tell me for some reason or another? Like you didn't think it was important?" Louis asked.

Miwa had to think about it for a moment, "I honestly can't think of anything dear, nothing from the files or from the workers at the orphanage. I'm sorry dear."

"No, it's fine," Louis said.

"Louis, don't fret, whatever it is the king tells you, it won't matter. You're my son and I love no matter what," Miwa assured him.

"I know Mother, I've always known," Louis said kindly, "I guess I'm just getting worked up over nothing."

"Yes, you are," Miwa said, "But, just the same, call me when you get a chance, let me know what the king tells you. I'm a little curious now."

"I will Mother, I will," Louis assured her, "I got to go, I have to keep packing for tomorrow."

"Make sure to keep me and your dad updated on anything in general while you're there," Miwa said, "I love you all."

"Everything alright with Louis?" Rintaro asked when Miwa hung up.

"Apparently the king seemed interested in him and wants to meet him alone in person," said Miwa cautiously, "You wouldn't know why, would you?"

Rintaro stroke his chin as he thought. "I can't say for sure, 100 %, I mean, I always thought he looked a little familiar when I first met him, but I never could place it."

"But, you don't know anything else about his past or anything? Like say who his real parents are?" Miwa asked.

"No, not at all, I didn't even know he was adopted for a longest time while we were dating and I even forget about it so easily," Rintaro tried to assure his wife.

"Well, alright," said Miwa, "however, now I'm a little more determined to go to Elence myself and be with our children."

"Well, at least, let's wait for a short while, let things calm down a little before we try sending you there," Rintaro suggested.

"I supposed," Miwa said. She breathed a heavy sigh, "This all my fault, isn't it? If I hadn't told Robert about Ema back at the auction, she would have never been discovered, would she?"

"Well, not necessary," said Rintaro, "Perhaps if was wrong of me to have kept her true heritage secret this whole time, even after she found out she was adopted. There's a lot of wrong doing in this situation, and it's going to take some time and hard work to make them right."

Louis sighed after handing up with his mother. He wasn't sure what he hoped would happen by calling her and asking her more about his adoption, but he felt like he had to for some reason or another.

He knew the story she had told him about how he came to live in the orphanage, but even as a small child, he had always felt like there was something more that may have happened. Even if he had no real memory of his parents, he had always had this feeling in his heart that they wouldn't have just abandoned him, and that instead something had to have happened to them to make him wind where he did. Would meeting the king finally give him the answers?

"Louis?" he suddenly heard Juli ask.

"Oh, hello Little Juli," Louis said kindly to him, "What are you doing in here?"

"I'm just checking on you. Are you feeling a little scared for meeting with the king?"

"A little yes," Louis admitted, "I'm not sure what to expect with meeting with him and what will be reviled when I meet him and how much my life will change."

Juli sighed, "I can't say how much your life is going to change once you met with King Stephone, but just he's a good man and he'll try doing his best to make sure you're able to cope with whatever it is he has to tell you."

"I know, but," Louis sighed, "I don't know, I have to finish packing for tomorrow and then probably get some rest.

"Of course," said Juli, "If you do need me in anyway, you know where to find me."

"Thank you Juli," Louis said as he rested his head back down on his head, looking up towards the celling.

Fire? Why was there fire? There was fire all in front of him? Where did it come from? What was happening?

"Run, just run!"

Who was saying that? There was a lady telling him to run? Who was that? What was happening?

"Just Run!"

Masaomi sighed as he walked through the condo, checking on his brothers packing and making sure things weren't getting too out of hand or taking a little more serious as they got ready for the trip.

"Louis, how's it going in here?" he asked when he finally came to his 6th youngest brother's room and walked in. To his surprise and slight horror, he saw Louis laying on his bed tossing and turning.

"Louis?!" Masaomi said in fear as he hurried over to his brother who shook him awake.

Louis snapped his eyes open and sat up quick. "What, what happened?!"

"It looks like you were having a bad dream," said Masaomi, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I think I'm alright, I guess, I'm just overwhelmed over my meeting the king of Elence," said Louis.

"Oh, you're feeling nervous huh? Well, that's to be understandable," said Masaomi, "I'd be nervous too. I'm nervous in general in going. I'm sure most of us are."

"There's more to it than that. I think the king may know something about my past, about who my real parents were. And, I don't know if I'm ready for it. I may finally know why my parents gave me up. Even if they didn't want to, I'm scared to know what cause me to be put up for adoption."

He was surprised when he felt Masaomi's hand on his head, "Don't sweat it Louis. I know it'd be scary, but just remember, you're a member of this family first and foremost."

"Thank you Masaomi," Louis said softly.

"If you're that nervous about, maybe you can tell the king to wait to talk to you until you're ready for it," Masaomi suggested.

"Do we have the right to ask the king for something like that?" Louis asked.

"Uh, I don't know, but maybe you can try," Masaomi suggested, "In either case, you want some help getting packed?"

"No, I can finish on my own," Louis assured him.

"Alright, just don't fall asleep again," Masaomi said, half joking as he walked out of the room.

"Right," Louis said, looking back to his clothes and suitcases.

'I don't know if I'll want to sleep again any time soon after that nightmare,' he thought as he returned to stuffing items in.

Ema continued to glare at Robert as he smiled at the cameras, walking down, closer to the reporters and letting them swarm him with questions.

"Ema, come with me," she heard Stephone say to her, walking over to her and taking her hand, "I'd like to talk to you."

"Sure, Grandfather," Ema said, letting her grandfather keep holding her hand.

"Emma, Emma, do you have anything other statement to make?" a reporter called out.

"Is that going to be a recurring thing? Are they going to keep calling her Emma?" Yusuke asked as Stephone and the king walked past him.

"It looks like," Stephone said.

"But that's not her name, it's Ema, with one M!" Yusuke said bitterly.

"Yes, well, Robert's already labeled her as Emma and it could be most confusing trying to correct them at this point," said Stephone, "Uh, Mr. Yusuke, I'd like to talk to Ema alone if that's alright."

"Huh?" Yusuke said looking at Ema for confirmation.

"Can he wait outside the room?" Ema asked.

"Of course, if you feel him being near will give you strength," Stephone said as he and Ema walked together.

He led her back to his giant office and led her to a big red sofa. The two managed to sit down and Stephone took a deep breath.

"I know, you're probably upset that I had to make your father a criminal here and that he cannot come here without the risk of being arrested, but please try to understand why I did. I did it for the time being in order to not divide the country. If I were to go up against Robert over something like this, it would make a lot of people upset and accusing me of not living up to my full potential of king. They could start trying to call for me to step down and let some young blood take over," Stephone explained.

"Like Robert?" Ema asked.

"Or you, seeing as how everyone now knows who you are," said Stephone, "Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who don't like Robert too much and don't want him as king. And they're willing to use anyone they can to take his place, even if it means putting you in a position you're not ready for or would want to have. So please understand, I do not personally think your adoptive father, or your birthfather are in fact kidnappers, but given what we know, I had no real choice in the matter. I didn't want to though, but as king or as a royal, you often have to make hard choices you don't want to."

"I, understand," Ema said softly, "but I hate the idea of Papa being a criminal, I really do. I want everyone to understand and like him the same way I do."

"I know, don't forget I did know your father a long time ago. I like the man fine and considered him an outstanding person. I wouldn't see him as someone who would try to kidnap Yolanda against her will," said Stephone, "But can you at least forgive me having to list your father as fugitive for now?"

"Of course, Grandfather," said Ema, "Are you sure you're going to try helping to fix it?"

"I'm going to get some of my best people on it," Stephone assured her. He patted her hand, "Now, why don't you go try and find yourself something fun to do in the palace? We have a in home cinema which we can play any movie you'd like, there's a swimming pool, stables with some lovely horses and instructors that can help teach you on how to ride. We also have a library and a game room."

"Do you have any kind of video games in the game room?" Ema asked eagerly.

"We have quite a few, it's like its own old fashion arcade. And I do mean old, it hasn't been updated with any kinds new games in a long time. But if there's any kind of game you want, you just ask and I will make sure they get it for you no matter what."

"Thank you, I'd like that," said Ema. "I'm kind of a video game junkie."

Stephone laughed, "You probably got that from your birth father, he was tech genius."

"Was he?" Ema asked.

"Oh yes, and he taught a lot it to your mother, as I remember," said Stephone. "Well, anyway, why don't you head to that game room and try to enjoy yourself and relax a little?"

"Sure," said Ema as she stood up and headed to the door, but then she stopped at the door.

"Grandfather?" she asked looking back at him.

"Yes?" Stephone asked.

"What was that about me not being ready to take on the role as a future queen?" Ema asked.

"Well, you did just find out you were a princess, and there's a lot to it, more than you might realize. Stephone explained.

"But how will I know?" Ema asked, "what if I decide I do want to be queen and want to make myself ready for the role?"

Stephone looked a little shocked by her question.

"Well, that's something we'll have to work on then. But I suggest you think about, really think about it before you actually decide if you want to be placed in the line of succession. Maybe it's something you can talk over with more of your brothers when they arrive. I can only assume some of them will know a little about politics and different things about the world that can help guide you through what you'll have to deal with in general as my granddaughter," he said.

"Alright, thank you grandfather," Ema said again as she walked out of the room. There she saw Yusuke leaning against the wall.

"Hey," he said when she came out, "what happened?"

"Well, he explained why he had to go along with my Robert in accusing my dad of kidnapping and that he is going to try and fix it."

"Well, that's good," said Yusuke, "I never pictured your dad as a kidnapper or a dangerous man."

"Exactly," said Ema, "Do you want to go check out the game room here? Grandfather said there's one in here."

"A game room? Really? Why didn't these losers say so before?" said Yusuke, "where is it?"

"Um, I'm sure if Billy, Chrissy, or Richard were around they could show us," said Ema.

"Show you what Madam?" the two head the maid from before, Ami ask as she came down the hall, holding some fresh towels in her hand.

"Oh, hello Ami, we were just wondering where the game room was," said Ema.

"Of course, allow me to show you," said Ami, bowing her head and leading the two off.

She led to a random looking door and tried to open it.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was lock," Ami said, "Please forgive me and allow me to go find the key for you."

"Oh, sure, thank you," said Ema. Ami bowed he head again and walked off.

"She's kind of cute huh?" Yusuke said as she walked away.

"Huh?" Ema said in a little surprise at his comment, "You think she's cute?"

"Well, you know, a little, like you are," Yusuke sputtered.

'Why did I say that?!' he thought.

Ami walked around a corner, heading to the main staff office. As she walked down the hallway, another servant was walking the opposite way towards her. Right as they came next to each other, Ami suddenly felt herself trip and fall, landing hard on the floor and scattering the towels all over the floor.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry," the servant said as he stood over Ami, smirking.

"It's fine Tom, I'm sure," Ami said, trying to hide her bitterness in her voice, "Just an accident I'm sure, as always." She reached over to try and gather up her towels.

She suddenly jerked up as she felt a sudden painful twinge in her bottom. She turned around and saw the servant Tom looking down at her amused.

"Too easy," he said before kneeling down next to her, getting a little too close for Ami's comfort. She tried moving away, but she quickly realized he had her cornered between him, the floor and wall.

"So," Tom continued, "What do you think of new princes? You met her?"

"Yes, I did, and I think she's nice," Ami said as she tried to focus on getting her towels back together.

"So, do you like her better than Lord Robert?" Tom asked, leaning closer.

"I can't say, I just met her," Ami tried to say.

"Sure, but just remember, being on Lord Robert's side has is perks," Tom said, "Trust me, I know all about the kinds of perks he can offer if you are loyal to him."

"Yes, I bet you do," said Ami.

"Why won't you just give in to Lord Robert and accept him?" Tom asked, "Or me? Am I that difficult to be around?"

Ami shuddered when she felt Tom's breath on her neck, "Please, I have to get these towels taken care of and get the key for the game room for the princess."

"The princess wants into the game room huh?" Tom said, "Well why didn't you say so? I'll get it for her."

Ami looked at the boy in alarm as he finally got off her and strode away.

"You're just going to get the key, right?" Ami asked worried.

"Well of course, I'm just doing my job as a servant in the palace," said Tom as he walked away, "Now quit lollygagging around and get to work picking up those towels. They obviously just got done."

Ami noticed him stepping on one of the clean towels as he walked away. She sighed when saw the show imprint left on it.

'He's trouble, I hate him so much!' she thought sadly.

"Ami, here you are, aren't you supposed to be taking care of these towels," Another maid said as she walked past Ami.

"Yes Ma'am, I'm trying," said Ami.

Ami had just finished gathering up the towels when she saw Tom walking past her again, holding a key.

"Still here huh?" he said with a smirk.

"I'm going, no thanks to you," Ami said mad. She felt the painful twinge again as he finally walked past along with Tom laughing.

'I should take care of these towels and then go check on the princess!' Ami thought in a hurry.

As she hurried along to her original destination, she saw Chrissy coming out of her office.

"Ms. Chrissy!" she said in alarm as she walked over to her, "Ma'am, I have to tell you something!"

"Is it important, I have some other things I have to take care of," said Chrissy.

"Well, you know the butler Tom?" Ami said, "I was trying to get the key to the game room for Lady Ema and her brother and he instead interfered to get it himself."

"Did he?" Chrissy said looking Ami with concern, "Is he heading there right now?" Ami nodded.

"Thank you for telling me, I'll see to it right away!" Chrissy hurried off to the game room.

Ema was doing her best not to really look at Yusuke as they waited for the key. Yusuke was doing the same, mentally kicking himself for mentioning that he thought the maid Ami was cute.

'I shouldn't have said that! I shouldn't have said that! It's not like I still don't have a major crush on Ema! She's a lot cuter than the maid by far!'

"Hello, sorry to keep you waiting," said a new voice. Ema and Yusuke turned and looked at a boy close to their age walking towards them, dressed as a butler.

"Where's Ami?" Ema asked.

"Oh, she had to take care of her towels, so I offered to get the key for you," said the butler, "My name is Tom."

"Hello," said Ema.

"Allow me," Tom said as he fiddled with the door and opening it.

"Thank you very much," said Ema as she and Yusuke walked past him into the game room. All over were some sorts of actual arcade games, a few game tables and a huge TV set up.

"Looks nice," said Ema.

"Kind of, I guess," said Yusuke.

"Please enjoy," Tom said as he walked out of the room.

"Owe!" Ema suddenly cried out when she felt a sudden pain on her hand.

"What, what's wrong?!" Yusuke asked in alarm.

Ema looked down at her hand and saw a small cut on her hand, bleeding a little.

"How did that happen?!" Yusuke asked.

"I don't know, I guess I cut myself on something," said Ema.

She and Yusuke were too busy looking at her cut, they didn't even notice Tom strutting away. In his pocket, he was playing with a small sharp needle that had a little bit of blood on its tip on it.

'Too easy, that was too easy. I'm sure Lord Robert will be pleased when I tell him how easy it is to get to this new princess in case she needs an accident,' he thought with pride.