DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANY WAY SHAPE or FORM
"Okay, Wataru, I'm going to set up a little classroom setting here in the guest library for you," Sofia told the little boy as she led him down one of the castle's many different halls.
"Sure," Wataru said in a slightly dreamy voice.
"And I think the first thing we'll do is have a small quiz to see how well you know your different studies and how much we need to focus on," Sofia explained.
"I think we'll have to focus on a lot of different things," Wataru insisted, "I'll probably need a lot of help with my studies!"
Sofia giggled at his insurance. "We'll see," she replied.
When they got to the library, Sofia rearranged the biggest desk with several different school supplies books and papers.
"Alright Wataru, take a seat," Sofia ordered. Wataru was quick to do as he was told. "Now let's start with your math skills. Go ahead and open the math book to page 19 and 20 and answere all the questions on the pages as best you can."
"Okay, but I bet I won't do good and you'll have to help me catch up," Wataru said as he did as Sofia had told him to do.
"We'll see," said Sofia.
She turned her head and noticed Chrissy walking in.
"Sorry for the interruption but his majesty wanted to know if you and Wataru were content with your learning environment," Chrissy asked.
"Oh yes, this place will do just fine for our study sessions," Sofia assured her.
"But we need to be alone! I can't concentrate when I have so many distractions!" Wataru said urgently.
Chrissy looked at him with a confused smirk. "Sounds like someone's a little more relaxed with his tutoring," she said.
"Yes, he suddenly seems to think he needs lots of help," said Sofia.
"Oh, well, I hope all the studying doesn't keep him from getting to ride Wind Storm," Chrissy dropped.
At that Wataru sat up straight.
"Wind Storm? Sofia said, "I think I remember hearing about him. Isn't that name given to the half-brother of his majesty's horse?"
"Yes, by Master Wataru himself," said Chrissy, "he has such a connection with the young lad, the king was thinking about arranging it so Master Wataru may able to take him home as gift."
"The king's really going to do that?!" Wataru asked.
"Well, maybe not, if you're too busy with your studies it may not be a good idea. You won't have time to ride him," Sofia pointed out.
Wataru's eyes widen. "Well, maybe I don't need that much help!" he said.
"Well one way to know for sure, keep going with your math problems," said Sofia.
"Right! Right! Right away!" Wataru said as he got back to work in a hurry.
Both women giggled at his sudden need to take his school work a little harder.
"I'll let his majesty know that everything here seems to be going well," said Chrissy as she walked back out quietly.
Sofia nodded before walking back to Wataru's desk and looking over his work.
"Not too bad so far," she praised.
"Oh thank you," Wataru said blushing.
Sofia smiled kindly before picking up a book of her own and looking through it.
"Hello, anyone in here?" a newcomer's voice suddenly asked as a different body walked.
"Louis, what are you doing in here?! I'm trying to study!" Wataru snapped at his big brother.
"Sorry, I wanted to see if I could quickly do Lady Sofia's hair while you were studying Wataru," said Louis, showing himself to have several different hair accessories. On his shoulder sat little Hailey holding a pair of scissors.
"No! No she can't!" Wataru snapped.
"Now, now Wataru, I can make the time for a quick hair appointment," said Sofia. "If you like, I can sit while I go over what to do with Wataru's next lesson."
"I'll be quick this time around and make sure I have more time to do a more detail job next time," Louis promised as he set up a chair for her.
"I'd like that," said Sofia. Wataru noticed she and Louis share a smile.
"It won't take too long, will it Miss Sophie?" he quickly asked.
"No Wataru, don't worry," said Sofia.
"Especially if I'm helping," said Hailey.
"Oh you got yourself a squirrel have you?" Sopfia asked, petting Hailey's head.
"Yes, just got her last night," said Louis.
"Oh, both you and Big Sister have pet squirrels now?" Wataru asked.
"I guess," said Louis.
"You better believe it," said Hailey.
"What are you working on right now Wataru?" Louis asked as he styled Sofia's hair.
"Math," Wataru grumbled.
"Oh you should have no problem with that. You're always saying how great you are at math," said Louis.
Wataru groaned as he got back to work.
"What's the next subject?" Louis asked Sofia.
"I was thinking of studying up on his science skills," said Sofia.
"Oh well you're in luck there too. He says he's the best at that as well," said Louis.
Louis!" Wataru moaned.
"Well maybe we can bypass science today and focus on either English studies or History," Sofia said, "in fact why don't we do some history lesson next? We can do Elencd history today and tomorrow focus on your Japanese history? We can take a tour of the castel and I can show you some of the more popular historic figures in Elence's history," said Sofia.
"Oh, I'd like that!" said Wataru excited.
"Good, but finish your math assignment first," said Sofia.
"Yes, yes of course," said Wataru.
"I'd like to see of that too, seeing as how I'm apparently Elence born as well," said Louis.
"Of course you can come with us," said Sofia.
'What?!' Wataru thought.
"How have you been adjusting to finding out your true heritage?" Sofia asked.
"Still confused and unsure of how to accept all of this," Louis. Sofia nodded.
"You know, I have a vauge memory of you when I was really little," she said softly.
"Really?" Louis asked, stopping his work.
"It's a very vauge memory, but I remember I was trying to climb up on to go down a slide when I felt someone helping me up. I remember turning around and seeing you there with a gentle smile and hearing your mother say something like, "are you being a gentelman helping Sophie?"
"Oh," Louis said. He tried hard to think back to such an event but nothing came to mind. "I don't think I remember that."
"I shouldn't be surprised it was so long ago and so much happened to you between that being raised with your family," said Sofia.
"Still I wish I had some memories of my real parents," said Louis.
Sofia looked up at him. "If it helps, both my parents were good friends with your parents and they always said your parents loved you very much."
"The king's told me that several times," said Louis, "and I like to beleive that but I wish I had an actual memory of them and the so called love they had for me."
"Mom loves you Louis," Wataru said softly.
"Thanks Wataru, I know," Louis said. "There, just about done, Miss Sofia."
"Thank you," Sofia said as Louis offered her a mirror. "Oh it's wonderful! Makes me excited to see what you can do when you have more time to work on my hair."
"I look forward to that time as well," Louis said as he stroked it a little.
"Um, I'm done Miss Sofia!" Wataru suddenly said.
"Oh good," Sofia said walking back to his desk and looking over his work. Louis noticed Wataru smirk at him. He looked away so his littl brother didn't see his amusing smile and him trying to fight his urge to to laugh.
"Not bad Wataru, you got everything right," Sofia said.
"Why thank you," Wataru said with pride.
"Thought as much," said Louis.
"Tomorrow we'll see if we can go over the next lesson," said Sofia, "how about we go take that history lesson tour?"
"Yes!" Wataru said happily jumping up.
"Yes!" Hailey also cheered.
"Don't forget your history book," said Sofia.
"Right!" Wataru said, pulling the book out from under a few other books , making them fall over, "oops."
"It's alright," Louis said as he picked the books up for his brother.
"Now make sure you pay attention Wataru, I'll expect you to give the tour in the future. Maybe even to the king himself and the royal historian," said Sofia.
"Is there a royal position for everything?" Wataru asked.
"Well, maybe we'll come across that in our history studies or social studies," said Sofia.
She led Louis and Wataru out of the library and down the hall. She stopped when they came to an old looking portrait or a man with a long black beard and wearing old medieval clothes. "Let's start here, Wataru, do you want to take a guess who this is? You can make any kind of guess you'd like."
"Um," Wataru pondered.
"I know!" Hailey said eagerly.
"Hailey, you've lived here your whole life. Of course you know," Louis pointed out, "May I make a guess?"
"Of course," said Sofia.
"Hey I get to go first!" Wataru snapped, "I bet he's an old king who was well liked by all the people."
"Not a bad guess," Sofia said, "Lord Louis?"
"I was going to say maybe a relative of a king who served as an advisor or helper to the king," said Louis.
"Another good guess," said Sofia, "Wataru, can you turn to page 35 of your book?"
Wataru did as he was told and soon saw a picture of the same man, "it says he was Prince Clement 'and he was King Clement the 1st's son. He wasn't really nice and as a result one day when he was out hunting, a few peasants ambushed him and, killed him?!"
"Yep, they didn't show any mercy!" sais Hailey.
"He had imposed one too many taxations and laws on the people that some had enough and felt they had to take matters into their own hands," said Sofia.
"Hmm, I hope it taught some of the future rulers to be a little nicer," said Louis looking over Wataru's book.
"Well, I suppose, but sometimes people forget history and as a result they repeat it," said Sofia, sounding a little nervous. "Well, let's find a another portrait to review." She led the two men further down.
"There's no chance that could ever happen to the king or Big Sister, is there?" Wataru asked.
"Oh I doubt that could ever happen to the two of them," said Sofia.
"But Lord Robert?" Louis asked.
Sofia stopped in her tracks. "I doubt they'd kill him like they did Prince Clement," she said softly.
"I hope he doesn't get to be king! i don't like him! I don't want him to take over from King Stephon!" Wataru declared.
"Don't let Lord Robert hear you say that," said Sofia.
"Say what?"
Sofia, Louis, Wataru and Hailey turned around fast to see Robert walking past their hallway looking annoyed. Hailey started to hiss.
Louis noticed Sofia looked a little frighten out of the corner of his eye.
"Hello Lord Robert, nice to see you as always," she said timidly.
"Lady Sofia, you're always a sight for sore eyes," Robert said, "these squatters on the other hand!"
Louis couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of anger at his comment.
"Excuse me good sir, but I am a memeber of the royal family technically don't forget, seeing as how my father was 2nd in line to the throne, before you even, before he passed away!" he made sure to mention, "and as for my little brother, as long as the king welcomes him here, he is a guest not a squatter."
"Hmm," Robert said as he walked over to Louis and walked around him, " I don't see see any resemblance to Walter at all. Are you sure you're his son?"
Louis took a deep breath, "If you're so unsure good sir, perhaps we could test my DNA with yours. We should be related after all," he suggested.
Robert didn't look fond of the idea. Instead he brushed past him again, seemingly to purposely push Wataru aside. Sofia was quick to grab him. The boy seemed to like that.
Sofia smiled at him until they heard someone else walking by. Wataru and Louis notice Sofia get a look of pure terror on her face as Henry came into view. Wataru could feel her tighten her grip around him.
"Come on Wataru, we need to continue with your history lesson," she said as she rushed the boy off, pulling Louis along as well.
Louis looked over his shoulder one last time towards Henry who gave him a warning look, making Louis both sudder a feel a bit of rage go through him.
"Want me to rough him up?" Hailey asked him.
"Nah, don't provoke him," Louis said. "Um, Hailey? Is there is something bad between Sofia and Lord Robert? Or his guard Henry?"
"It's best I not gossip about it. It's not a nice story," said Hailey.
"Oh?" Louis said a little concern about what ever it was that had gone between Sophie and Lord Robert and Henry.
"Come on Louis, I bet I can make a better guess at the next picture than you!" Wataru called out.
"Coming," Louis said as he hurried along.
"A Shakespeare competition. It would be a little amazing to see a little bit of pleasent history be embraced," King Stephon said ro himself as he paused a little from his work.
"Hello your majesty," Chrissy said walking into his study.
"Hello, is everything good with Wataru's school?" Stephon asked returning to his work.
"Yes, I think he and Sofia are going to get along just fine. But I've come warn you, Robert was let back in, and he's coming this way," Chrissy said. Stephon noticed she was locking the door behind her.
"I see," Stephon said shaking his head. "He has more loyal servants here than I thought."
"Uncle! Uncle!" the two heard Robert's voice shouting from the other side of the door and it shook.
"You hear something Chrissy?" Stephon asked.
"Nope," said Chrissy.
"However if you do hear something pesty harassing any of the Asahina brothers, make sure you chase it out," Stephon ordered
"As you wish your majesty," Chrissy assured him with a smirk.
"Uncle!" Robert called out louder than before. He gave the door a hard bang. "He can't ignore this!"
"Is everything alright here?"
Robert groaned mad. "Henry, tell me there isn't another one of those dopey brothers isn't heading our way?!"
"It almost seems like they're taking over the whole palace, doesn't it?" Henry said as he turned and looked at Kaname walking towarss the group with his usual calm smile.
"Whoever you are, whatever you are, I don't care! Just leave my pretence right now!" Robert ordered, not turning around to acknowledge Kaname.
"Oh forgive me," Kaname said, "it just sounded like someone was in distress and as a Buddhist monk, I am often called upon to help people with their troubles."
"Buddhist monk? Isn't that some made up dumb-shit religion your foreigners came up with to play mind games with us?" Robert asked in slight digust.
"Oh hardly, Buddhism goes far back, back to the 5th century," said Kaname.
"I don't want a history lesson, especially about religion!" Robert snapped.
"Oh, I wasn't trying to do that at all, I was merely trying to help ease whatever anger is boiling up inside you good sir," Kaname said.
"The only anger I have boiled up in me right now is from you and your stupid brothers, and that, that GIRL! You are all ruining my life and making it miserable to boot!" Robert shouted as he turned around ready to punch Kaname only to miss and instead punch one of his own guards.
"Oh my," said Kaname as the man fell.
"What was that?!" Stephon asked as he and Chrissy heard the punch, "what did Robert do now?!"
"I hope he didn't punch one of the princess' brothers!" said Chrissy as she unlocked the door.
"Oh god no!" Stephon moaned.
"Are you alright good sir?" Kaname asked the poor man who got punched.
"Yeah I guess," he replied massaging his jaw.
"I didn't do that on purpose! This was all your doing!" Robert tried to insit.
"Is everything alright here?"
"Go away you stupid maid, this doesn't concern you!" Robert ordered.
"I'm, not a maid, I'm from the foreign relations office,"
"Oh, Miss Smith," Kaname said with delight as he walked over to the woman and kissed her hand, "so nice to see our charming escort who helped us come here safely from Japan."
"Thank you, Mr. Asahina," Elizabeth said a little embarrassed.
"What do you mean she escorted you here from Japan?" Robert said as his temper rose.
"What is going on here?!" Stephon shouted as Chrissy opened the door for him.
"I'm not sure, your majesty, I'm just here to see an Asahina brother," said Elizabeth.
"And who are you? Stephon asked.
"Elizabeth Smith, I'm with the foreign relations office," Elizabeth explained.
"She was the nice lady who help escort all us brothers here to Elence," said Kaname with a grin.
"Oh yes," said Stephon.
"So this is all her doing," said Robert.
"Quie you!" Stephon warned. "How can we help you Miss Smith?"
"Oh yes, I have a favor to ask of one of the Asahina brothers, if it's not too much trouble," said Elizabeth.
"Any one of us?" Kaname asked.
"Yes, it could be anyone," said Elizabeth.
"Well, depending on what it is, I volunteer, especially for a lovely lady like you," said Kaname.
"Please step into my office my dear and we can discuss the matter," Stephon offered.
"Thank you very much, your majesty," Elizabeth said as she maneuvered herself around Robert's men and slowly entered the king's office, with Kaname behind her.
"Uncle, I was hoping I could...," Robert started say, only to have the door shut and locked in his face again.
"Oh come on!" Robert moaned.
"Now then, what business does the affairs office have with my granddaughter's brothers?" Stephon asked as he sat back down behind his desk.
"Well it's more of a favor we're asking for," Elizabeth explained, "I'm sure you heared of Prime Minister Cook's desier to strengthen Elence's relations with other countries and one of her strategies was to host a special lunchin with some different foreign visitors for...,"
"For some of the best world study students from various high schools and universities," King Stephon finished, "yes I've heard of it."
"Sounds like a nice idea to me," said Kaname, "but what does that have to do with someone like me?"
"Well one of our special visitors was supposed to be from Japan. However, he's fallen ill at the last second. And we need to find a replacement fast. One of my superiors suggested asking one of the Asahina brothers to attend as a representative of Japan since they are technically ambassadors and are so popular in Elence as it is," Elizabeth explained.
"Ah, I see," said Kaname, "trying to make these things more popular for the kids. Sure I'll do it."
"Thank you Ambassador Asahina," said Elizabeth excited.
"Kaname, please," Kaname insisted in his usual charming tone.
"Good," said Elizabeth, "the subject for the luncheon this time is of the country's acceptance of things like romsnce, courtship and marrige."
"Ah, I know of that subject well," said Kaname, "I will be there and give a rousing speech for the young ones."
"Thank you very much, " Elizabeth said again as she stood up, "No doubt once this gets out, more of the students excited to attend."
"Especially the ladies no doubt," said Kaname, winking at Elizabeth. The woman blushed.
"Right, I should get going," she said she she bowed to the king and hurried out.
"Allow me to escort you out," said Kaname as he followed after the woman.
"Wow, he's quite the ladies man, isn't he?" Stephon asked Chrissy.
"Huh?" Chrissy said seeming to come out of a little daze herself.
Stephon shook his head, "and to think he's supposed to be a religious figure."
"I can't thank you enough for agreeing to be our speaker at such short notice," Elizabeth kept thanking Kaname as the two walked to the front of the palace.
"Not at all, perhaps it was fate that made it all happened," said Kaname, "after all, I was hoping to see you again and soon.' He kissed her hand again.
"Yes, thank you," Elizabeth said as she hurried out.
Kaman smirked, "what a lovely lady," he said to himself. He suddenly felt as though he was being watched and looked up to see Robert walking past casting him a most evil glare.
'A most troubled man, and he's not afraid to share his trouble with others. Wheather they like it or not.' Kaname thought, most displeased with the vibe he felt from the man.