DISCONCERTING I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM
"...and then the king brought hsi sword down and, WHACK! His enemy was dead!" Lord Markus said in over dramatic tone, bringing down his arm.
Wataru gasped as he did. "Was that the end? Did the king win?!" the small boy asked eagerly.
"Oh yes! That battle was quite a victorious battle," said Stephon, "when you a school boy learning about the Battle of Clockgain, you almost jump out of your seat in excitement at the part where the king finally takes the enemy down! Remember Markus?"
"Oh yes!" said Markus, "and not just the boys but the girls too."
"Did you go to school with Grandfather, Lord Markus?" Ema asked.
"Oh, yes, we were old school chums, much like our fathers and grandmothers," said Stephon.
"Hmm, Mother always said you were always getting the other into trouble," Robert spoke up.
"Moat boys too with true friends," said Markus,"of course you could get into trouble well in your own, given how little you were ever a true friend to others."
"Cousin!" Robert shouted embarrassed.
Markus looked around the table at everyone before he uttered, "niece?"
"What?" Robert replied confused.
"Sorry, I thought we were just shouting out random family words," said Markus like it was nothing, "you tend to play that game a lot whenever I join you for dinner. But for some reason you always chose the word cousin."
"Oh, I get it," Tsubaki teased, "grandfather!"
"He gets it," Markus laughed, "son!"
"Aunt!" Wataru join in. That got a laugh from many others at the table. Robert meanwhile moaned and rubbed his forehead.
"Your majesty, these new men you have welcome into your home are most delightful!" Markus praised.
"Aren't they?" Stephon agreed, "it pains me a little to think they'll have to leave someday. It feels like I finally have that big family Wilma and I always wanted."
"Good for you my king," said Markus kindly.
"Was Wilma the name of the queen, big sister's grandma?" Wataru asked.
"Yes," said Stephon, "she died a long time ago, even before my daughter was fully grown sadly."
"I'm sorry," said Wataru, "I bet she was nice."
"Oh yes, she was a very kind person and very beautiful," said Stephon.
"Hmm, my mother was more lovely than her," Robert spoke up, "my mother was the true beauty of Elence until the day of her death. She was so beautiful she should have been queen. She was so easy on the eyes and yet powerful in spirit."
"She sounds quite amazing woman Robert," said Ema.
"Far more amazing than that stupid woman who married into the royal family," said Robert.
"That's a mean thing to say," Wataru said quickly without thinking.
"Wataru!" Masaomi tried to warn.
"Young man, I would advise you to observe the old custom that children should be seen and not heard!" Robert said sternly, giving Wataru a threatening look.
Watru lean as far back in his chair as he could in fear, getting a little teary eyed. Masaomi put his arm around his brother to comfort him.
"Robert! Stop it at once!" Stephon ordered, "I will not tolerate you frightening the boy like that!"
"Well with all due respect your majesty, the boy was speaking out of line," Robert defended, still shooting Wataru death glares.
"But he was right. You shouldn't have spoken so cruel about my grandmother like that just because you didn't like her," said Ema.
"Your Grandmother, Princess? You didn't even know her!" Robert mocked, "you didn't even know your own mother. How could you possibly know what kind of women they were."
"I at least feel that had a little more respect for the dead and so quick to anger when someone points out their flaws!" Ema insisted.
"So certain huh?" Robert said, "you really feel you know that about your so called grandmother and mother? Oh, what a silly girl. Of course I say this, you have a stupid mouth like they. You have inherited that along with their stupid looks."
Before any of Ema's brothers or the king could do or say anything on Ema's behalf, Ema surprised them all by jumping up, grabbing her cup and tossing the contents straight at Robert's face.
"Lord Robert, I am willing to admit that I do not know much about my grandmother or mother! And I will admit I still know little about royal life. But I still will not tolerate you to continue to be in my presence and insult my family in general! First when you insulted my older brothers Masaomi and Ukyo, then today when you insulted my triplet brothers. And now this, insulting mother and her mother in front of my grandfather!" Ema declared. "Stop bad mouthing those close to me! Now!"
"Are you trying to order me around, princess? As though you are someone higher up than me? The real heir to the throne?" Robert taunted.
"Yes, I am! You maybe the heir, but I am his majesty's granddaughter, daughter of his true heir, his daughter! I, want, no, no, I, I order you to not say anymore cruel things about my family, alive or dead, close to me or a mystery!" Ema said as boldly as she could, though if someone were to look at her knees they would see they were about to buckle out of fear.
"Stupid girl, you have no idea what you're doing, do you?" Robert teased, "you're just trying to act big and important in front of my uncle. Of course, your mother would often try the same thing, all to see important in front of her king. But let's face it, you're such a child play acting princess. That's all your mother did as well. Maybe it's for the best she left."
"Silence!" Stephon ordered immediately, "how dare you accuse Yolanda in such a way! Ema's right, stop speaking cruelly of the dead like this! That's my wife and daughter you're bad mouthing and in my home none the less!"
"Uncle, I think you'd just...," Robert started to say when a guard came into the room looking disturbed. He walked right up to the king and started to whisper to him. Richard also moved closer to the king and lean in to hear what the guard was saying.
"Henry huh?" the table guest all heard the king speak out. He and Richard looked towards Robert, obviously unhappy.
"Robert," Stephon started to ask, calmly, "why would your hired thug be taking it on himself to serve Louis?"
"I beg your pardon?" Robert asked.
"Why did Henry feel the need to go into Louis' room, un-invited and making it seem as though he eas trying to serve him?" Stephon asked.
"Uh, well, I was worried about the man. Obviously, Henry was acting on what he knew I would have asked of him anyway," Robert explained hastily.
He looked around the table and saw everyone was giving him a blank look, even Beatrice.
"Well in the future I think it's best you keep your guard to yourself!" Stephon said as he stood up, "I'm going to see Louis myself."
"Grandfather, wait for me, I'd like to come as well," Ema said as she stood up as well.
"Pherhaps I should too," said Markus as he came behind Ema out the door.
"Uh, um, wait for me! I'd like to chech on the man!" Robert said as he ran from the table fast.
"You will go home for the evening," Stephon ordered back, "I think we've all had enough of you today. I want you gone by the time I'm done talking to Louis!"
"But Uncle!" Robert tried to protest.
"Great-grandson!" Markus called out.
"Ahh! Not again!" Robert moaned.
"3rd cousin once removed!" Wataru shouted.
"Wataru!" Masaomi warned.
"I heard that Wataru! Good one!" everyone in the dinging room heard Markus called back
"What a fool!" Robert moned mad. He looked back at the table full of men looking back at him. "What are you all looking at? Dinner's over! Get out of the dinging room! Now! Before you make more mess!"
"Of course, so sorry your majesty," Tsubaki said as the brothers all stood and headed to the doors
"Beatrice, come!" Robert shouted at his fiancee.
"Right, of course, I...," Bea stopped talking and suddenly clenched her stomach and started moaning in pain. "Ohhh!" she cried out in pain.
"Now what?" Robert groaned.
"You okay?" Tsubaki asked as he walked over to her.
"Oh, my stomach! Oh no!" Bea moaned in pain, "oh no! It hurts! It hurts so much! I better go lay down. I may end up having to speand the night again. Lord Tsubaki, please, can you help me to a room to rest?"
"Sure," said Tsubaki, taking her arm and leading her to a door opposite from where Robert.
"Not this again!" Robert said as he tried to follow. He didn't notice Azusa stick out his foot and trip him, causing Robert to stumble a little.
"You better hurry Robert," Bea said weakly, "you remeber the king said to be gone by the time he was done checking up on Louis."
"I'll be back first thing in the morning to get you!" Robert warned before storming out of the dinging room through the other door.
"Yes, I bet you will," Be said, only to suddenly start to laugh. She suddenly stood up straight and laughed even harder, holding her sides.
"Works every time!" ahe declared smugly.
"Wait, you were just pretending?" Wataru asked.
"Pretty good huh?" Bea said to him, "I've learn a few acts to help get rid of him." She looked back at Tsubaki, "you can still help escort me back to my room if you don't mind."
"Not at all," Tsubaki replied aa he took her hand and they walked our.
"Uh, Tsubaki, you might not want to do that!" Yusuke tried to warn his big brother.
"Why not?" Tsubaki asked poking his head back in.
"Well the king might not like it if you did," Yusuke tried to explain.
"Well then, the king can come and tell me that himself huh?" Tsubaki joked as he walked back out.
"I knew he wouldn't take me seriously!" Yusuke muttered mad, hitting the wall annoyed.
"Did the king really ask Tsubaki not be around Bea so much?' Azusa asked.
"He doesn't want a scandal with Bea, Robert and Tsubaki. At least not while Ema's still getting adjusted to the royal life." Yusuke explained.
"The king seriously said that?" Natsume asked. Yusuke nodded.
"Guess we'll have to talk to him huh?" Azusa said, "figures he'd get himself into trouble l like this."
"Mmm, good soup," Louis praised as he ate the simple meal a butler had brought him.
"Are you still recovering?" Hailey asked.
"Much," said Louis, "I think tomorrow I'll try getting back into hair styling again. Think you could help me?"
"My pleasure!" Hailey promised.
"Louis, are you well?" Stephon asked suddenly walking in with Richard , Ema and Markus. There was also the guard who had pulled Henry out of the room.
"Oh hello everyone," Louis greeted everyone, "I am feeling much better thank you."
"Good to hear," said Stephon.
"Yes, I'm glad too," Ema said as she went to Louis' bedside.
"Thank you for your concern Chi," Louis said patting her head, "I'll make sure to do your hair first tomorrow."
"You plan on doing hair again tomorrow?" Stephon asked.
"I find pleasure in it, your majesty," said Louis.
"Hmm, pitty, I don't have any to style," Stephon said patting his nearly bold head.
"Forgive me, Lord Louis, but could I bring along my grand-neice tomorrow as well do have her hair done? I've seen the good work you've done with some of the staff here tonight alone," said Markus.
"Of course good sir," said Louis, "it might be easier tomorrow since I'll have a little assistant myself," Louis said rubbing Hailey's cheek again.
"Who's this?" Ema asked, also patting Hailey.
"I'm Hailey, Chay's new companion," Hailey said as she ran to Louis and hugged herself to him.
"You look a little like Susie, Lord Walter's compaion," Markus said, "any relation?"
Ema and Louis looked at Markus surprised.
"Yes, she was my sister," said Hailey.
"Ah, that explains it," said Markus.
"Did you, can you understand the squirrels Lord Markus?" Ema asked.
"Well, yes, the gift of talking to Elence squirrels has always gone to anyone that's worthy of being king or queen," said Stephon.
"Doesn't mean some will ever be king though. And that's fine, accepting things you cannot control is sometimes a good trait of a king," said Markus.
"Your Great-Grandfather practically had an army of Elence squirrels at his beckon call," Stephon joked, "that's how many of the royals communicated back in the day."
"A squirrel communication system. Sounds a like a marvellous idea," Louis said.
"Far more superior than carrier pigeons," Haily bragged.
The four royals all laughed.
"You're adorable Hailey," Louis said before giving off a yawn, "please, pardon me."
"Oh no, you're fine, you should be allowed to rest,' said Stephon, "good to know you're feeling better. Would you like us to leave so you can get some more rest?"
"I should," said Louis.
Ema leaned over and kissed his cheek, "I'm happy you're better. I hope you stay well."
"Your kiss has surely given me strength," Louis assured her.
"He's even a flirt just like Walter," Markus whispered to Stephon as the two backed out of the room. Ema followed and Richard shut the door.
"Can I count on you to watch this door properly, Vince?" he asked Louis' hero guard.
"With my life," Vince replied, bowing his head.
Richard nodded in satisfaction, "good, I don't want Henry anywhere near as close as he got to Louis today. Not ever again."
"I should go see Ukyo and the ladies are doing with their meeting before I officially retire for the night," Stephon declared as his group continued on their way.
"I hope the hospital planning is turning out well," said Ema, "I want to know if I presented the whole idea to the different cities it'll please them and be the answer to their problems."
"Speaking of medical emer9," Chrissy said as she came to the king, "it would appear as though Lady Beatrice has come down with another case any excuse she can make to stay away from Robert syndrome and is staying the night."
"Let her, anyone suffering with a disease like that needs all the rest she can get," said Stephon.
"I should probably be getting home myself," said Markus, "but I'll be back in the morning to continue my work, along with Sophia."
"Your great-niece?" Ema asked.
"Yes her, you'll like her your majesty," Markus said as he bowed, "because I like you already myself."
Ema had to blush as Markus' kind words as the old man took his leave. She did hope he would return soon.
Hailey could see Markus' car drive off from Louis' window.
"Looks like Lord Markus is gone for now," she said.
"You should probably go home too," said Louis tired, "tell your family you've become my companion."
"Oh good idea," Hailey said excited, "I'll return first thing in the morning Chay."
"Thank you little friend," Louis called out as he saw his new little companion dash out the window and into the trees.
HHailey ran along the branches until she neared the golden Maebe tree. She was just about ready to go into the main hole, when she heard some rustling and saw a few acorns fall onto the branch, followed by Juli.
"Juli, why are you gathering the acorns?" Hailey asked as she scampered up to him.
"Oh, hi Hailey," said Juli with a heavy sigh, "Aunt Marion is making me gather them as a sort of punishment for all the time I was gone and not telling Chi about her true heritage."
"Oh, I see, she sure is strick huh?" Hailey said, "do you know if I need her permission to be a royal companion?"
"No," said Juli, " you just become a companion. Why?"
"I've asked Louis if he'll let me be his!" said Hailey excited, "after all my sister was his father's."
"You ask Louis to be his companion?" Juli asked surprised.
Hailey nodded, "I've always wanted a way to pay respect to my late sister and what better way than to be the guardian of her companion's son?"
"I guess but aren't you a little young to be Louis' companion?" Juli asked.
"I'm not much younger than you were when you became Princess Yolanda's companion!" Hailey pointed out frustrated.
The two suddenly felt a little rustle in the branches above.
"The girl's right squirt, you're not exactly the youn scamp you once were," Bernard said as he dropped down on the opposite side of Juli. He kicked a bunch of the acorns Juli had gathered off to the ground below.
"Oopse, my bad," Bernard taunted as he pushed his way past Juli and over to Hailey, "so you're someone's companion huh?"
"Leave me alone Bernard!" Hailey tried to warn scared.
"What? I'm just congratulating you on your success. It's a high honor to become a companion. I'm sure you've earned it just like your sister did," said Bernard, "let's just hope you don't meet the same fate as poor Susie."
"What do you mean?" Hailey asked as she backed away from Bernard slowly.
Bernard however managed to grab her arm and push her towards the very edge of the branch. Poor Hailey could feel her feet tripping, trying hard not to full off the branch fully.
"Oh you know, meet with a fatal end," Bernard said a cruel tone.
"Hey! Leave her alone Bernard!" Juli shouted mad as he hissed at the evil squirrel.
"And who's going to stop me? You, you little fuzz ball?" Bernard said, pulling Hailey further onto the branch. He let her go and turn his full attention to Juli.
"I am curious to see how tough you are. Being away for so long, can't help but think that you've become a little soft!"
"I'll have you know I'm as able of a warrior as I ever was. I took good care of chi as she grew up! And will until the day she dies!"
"That might be sooner than you think," Bernard said.
Juli hissed louder.
"I won't let you hurt Chi no matter what!" he shouted as he charged at Bernard, knocking him over and biting Bernard's cheek. Bernard kicked his little feet as hard as he could as he struggled to get out of Juli's grip.
"Think you're so tough, you little peck!" Bernard yelled as he managed to push Juli off him. He then ran and charged at Juli, knocking him down in a similar fashion and biting Juli's cheek. Juli let out a scream of pain.
"Let him go! Let him go!" Hailey shouted as she tried to hit Bernard on the back.
"Stay out of this "princess"!" Bernard shouted back at her. He flicked his wrist back at her, knocking her over. He turned his attention back down to Juli he still had pinned down.
"I wonder, what would happen if I were to end you right now? How safe would your precious Chi be?"
"No!" Juli shouted as he struggled to get up, "I won't let you or your companion hurt Chi!"
"And how do you plan to do that? You can't even get up!" Bernard laughed, "you're just as weak and pathetic as you were before you disappeared with the first pathetic princess!"
"I hope you're not talking about Princess Yolanda when you say that!" Juli growled as he struggled even harder to get up.
Bernard laughed harder. "You said it, not me. You just have a knack for aligning yourself with weak and pathetic princess. Must be because you're so pathetic!"
"What is going on out here?"
"Marion!" Hailey said in shock.
Bernard and Juli turned and saw Marion standing behind Hailey with her arms crossed looking annoyed.
"Aunt Marion!" Juli said as he finally managed to break free from Bernard's grip and stand up.
"I told you to gather acorns, not mess around with other squirrels!" Marion said sternly.
"But, But, he, Bernard started it!" Juli insisted.
Marion shot Bernard a nasty look, "oh I have no doubt. However, I expect you to show a little more reserve and not be so quick to anger!"
"But Juli was defending me, Marion. Bernard was picking on me since I've become Lord Louis' new companion," Hailey tried to explain.
"You're going to be Louis' partner?" Marion asked surprised, "good for you." She turned her attention back to Bernard, "don't5mean to her now Bernard. I doubt she or Lord Louis will be a threat to your "companion"'s claim to the throne."
"Hmm, so you say," said Bernard, "you know, I'm getting a little tired of taking orders from you. I don't see why I should anymore given that you'll soon be gone and I'll be the leader of the scurry."
"Bernard, I'm not trying to pick a fight with you. All I'm doing is making sure there is peace in the scurry. And if that means keeping Juli and Hailey away from you than that's how it should be. Don't you agree? If Hailey and Juli are kept away from you, they're less likely to cause problems for you?" Marion tried to insist.
"And I still say, I'm sick of taking orders from you!" Bernard declared as he suddenly leap forward and pushed Marion off the branch.
"Aunt Marion!" Juli shouted as he and Hailey looked over the side to see poor Marion fall and land with a thud on the ground below.