DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM
Ema walked with Erica down the marble hallway, to another white door, gesturing Ema to enter. Ema nodded politely as entered.
Inside was a fancy looking white desk in an office filled with all sorts of filing cabinets, charts hung on the wall, and an impressive computer. Ema walked to the pearly white chair in front of the desk and sat down.
"Thank you for agreeing to see me about the housing project, princess," Erica said as she came to the other side of her desk. She started up her computer, working fast.
"Oh it's my pleasure," said Ema.
"Not too long though," Richard insisted., "we cannot afford to linger, given it was unscheduled."
"Right, yes," Erica said hastening her work.
"Has there been any updates, good or bad about the project?" Ema asked.
"Not much I'm afraid," Erica admitted, "most of the residents of the building are getting more and more stubborn in their determination to not get it torn down, and my poor friend is having trouble getting his buildings and houses up and ready for the people he promised them for."
"Why are they so determined to not let your friend tear down their building again?" Wma asked.
"Well, to be honest, some of them have lived in that building for generations. They were born and raised there. Their parents lived there in the past. It means a lot to them," Erica explained, "at least that's what Howie told me."
She turned her computer screen around and showed Ema pictures of the old building. A nice looking brick structure that looked as though it had stood up well against the test of time. It was cute in it's own way. Ema actually wanted to see it left alone if possible.
"Would it still do any good if I were to meet the residents of the building to see if I can help act as a middle person for them and your friend?" she asked.
"Yes as a matter of fact," said Erica.
"When would be a good time to do such a thing?" Ema asked.
Erica went back to work on her computer. "Well, Howie has another meeting with the residents tomorrow around 10. Pherhaps you could make a quick appearance to start off with?"
"I could try that," said Ema.
"Hmm," Richard grunted.
"Something wrong?" Ema asked.
"Well, there is that big family party that Robert scheduled, remember?" Richard reminded her.
"Oh, right, that," said Ema softly.
"We'll talk to your grandfather when we get back to palace, princess," Richard promised, "we'll see what he says."
"Thank you," said Ema, "should we be going?"
"Yes, we should," Richard encouraged.
"I apologize, Miss Tanner," Ema said, "if I can't make it tomorrow, I will most certainly try another time."
"I understand your highness and please don't worry if you cannot come anytime soon. I know a royal's life is very busy and hectic," Erica assured her, bowing her head.
"We should really get going, Princess," Richard kept insisting.
"Yes, I'm coming," Ema said as she hurried out, "could you see if Masaomi and Ukyo are ready to leave for the day or if they would like to stay and work some more?"
"Chad,' Richard ordered. Chad immediately walked off back to the work room her oldest brothers were. Richard kept ushering Ema to the stairs, along with her other 4 brothers.
"So, Ema, how do you feel now about helping people here with the hospital project?" Iori asked.
"A lot more hopeful," said Ema, "I've just mostly been worried I'd embarrass Grandfather if it failed. After seeing the proposal, I'm more confident that it won't fail and won't embarrass him."
"Trust me, something like that hospital project failing wouldn't embarrass the king as nearly as much as the different things Robert has done that has embarrassed him and the royal family," Richard muttered annoyed.
"Guy's probably been an embarrassment since he was born," Yusuke joked.
"You have no idea," said Billy.
"Billy!" Richard warned, "Yusuke, you too!"
"Sorry," both said together.
"He was the one who brought it up though," Yusuke whispered.
"Knock it off!" Natsume whispered in a hiss.
Ema was about to enter the limo, when Chad ran back up to the group and whispered in Richard's ear.
"Sounds like your older brothers wish to remain here for now, working," Richard said to Ema.
"Oh, that's fine," said Ema, "I'm glad they're really helping with this."
As she finally climbed into the limo, she was a little surprised to see Futo holding Ami from behind while holding his phone in front her, his head resting on her shoulder as he scrolled through his phone. Ken sat a little ways away from them looking like he was doing his best to mind his own business.
"Hmm, what do you think about this one?" he asked Ami.
"Isn't it a little reveling?" Ami asked a little weak.
"You've said that about nearly every outfit I showed you," Futo whispered, giving Ami a little kiss in her shoulder.
"What are you looking at?" Ema asked as she situated herself on a seat.
"Dresses for Ami to wear once she and I have the time to visit this that club Wallflower," Futo quickly said. He glanced at Ema, "you should come with us. You showing up with an idol like me would definitely get attention, especially if I'm going to start trying to get Ami well known."
"The club Wallflower?" Ema asked.
"That sounds kind of cool," said Yusuke.
"No, no," Richard declared, "you, princess, cannot attend a club like that until I've had a chance to evaluate the place, the staff, the regulars who attended that place. A crowded place like that is not necessarily a safe place for a princess. Someone could easily get to you!"
"Oh," Ema said softly.
"I'm sorry your highness but that's how it is," said Richard.
"Sounds logical to me," said Natsume.
"What about the rest of us wanting to attend?" Subaru asked.
"You men aren't quite as important as Ema is and therfore we aren't entirely responsible for your safty. Therefore you are allowed to attend such a place on your own. However, I would prefer if you'd let me evaluate the place and have a gaurd go with you. If something were to happen to any of you, I doubt your sister would be happy. Same with the king. I'm starting to feel he's regarding a lot of you as family.'
"Really?" Iori asked.
"You've given him a bigger sense of happiness and joy the likes of which he hasn't had in a long time," Richard explained.
"Wow," said Yusuke.
"Well, if we ever needed a grandfather figure in our lives, the Stephon is goid choice and what we really need."
Ema sighed happily, "he is great, huh?"
"Pumkin soup? Who suggested that? It's not even harvest time!" Stephon muttered looking over some notes the palace kitchen staff had presented as menue option for the party.
"Apparently it's a real popular dish at moment," Chrissy explained.
"Sounds disgusting. We're not having it," Stephon declared.
He and Chrissy were distracted with a weird rumbling sound outside the door.
"What is that?" Stephon asked.
"I'll check," Chrissy said as she opened. "Oh, it's Master Wataru. He's riding down the hallway on a skateboard with Lady Sophie."
"A skateboard? In the palace?!" Stephon shouted as he got up fast and headed to the door and pulled it open fast.
He saw Wataru ride his skateboard up to Sophie.
"So how long did that take Wataru?" Sophie asked.
"Uh, one minute," Wataru said looking at his watch.
Very good," said Sophie, "and your estimate was?"
"50 seconds," Wataru said sheepishly.
"So, looks like your calculations were wrong. Should we try another estimate in another area?" Sophie asked.
"Wataru!" Stephon shouted as he walked down to the boy, "what do you think you're doing riding a skateboard around like this?!"
"Uh," Wataru sputtered.
"I was helping him learn about estimations," Sophie tried to explain.
"But with a skateboard? Are you nuts?!" Stephon snapped, "roller skates are much more easier to use to get around the corners!"
Wataru looked a little surprised, "roller skates?" he asked.
"Sure, my brothers and I use to race up and down these halls all the time with our skates. Of course I usually won," said Stephon with a smirk.
"Wow," said Wataru.
"I bet we could go to town and find you a nice pair of roller skates or rollerblades to use," said Stephon, "they can be your award for if you behave yourself at the upcoming party."
"Oh thank you!" Wataru cheered.
Stephon chuckled, patting Wataru's, "you have got to be my favorite out of all your brothers. And that's saying something considering how amazing they all are."
He looked over at Sophie, "so, estimations huh?" he asked.
"Yes, I figured it would be a good idea to help Wataru learn about them by estimating how long it takes to get to certain areas around the palace and the grounds and that he could have some fun with it," Sophie explained.
"Hmm," said Stephon stroking his chin. "Chrissy, go get my mobile chair will you?"
"Yes your highness," Chrissy said.
"So, Wataru, do you know the long front hallway?" Stephon asked.
"Yes," said Wataru as he walked with Stephon. Sophie was right behind them.
"If you and I were to race across the hallway, with you on your skateboard and me in my chair, who do you estimate will win?" Stephon asked.
"Hmm," Wataru pondered.
"You can be honest with me lad," Stephon assured him.
"Then, I think I will!" Wataru declared.
"Wait, Wataru, remember," Sophie said, "you have to give a reason why. We should see what kind of flooring the main hallway is, what kind of power the chair will have."
"Hmm," Wataru pondered. By now the three had arraived at the stair case to the main hallway and all looked over the railing, looking at the long blue floor with the red carpet in the down the stairs.
"I still think I can win in a race on such a floor," Wataru.
"And why?" Sophie asked.
"Um, well I'm younger?" Wataru speculated.
"Hmm, age could play a factor," Sophie agreed, writting it down.
"And, and," Wataru tried to think more.
"Here's your chair sire," Chrissy called out as she and butler showed up with a fancy looking wheelchair, complete moter.
"Take it down stairs and position as far to the left as you can," Stephon instructed. Then he smirked at Wataru, "well, do you still think you can beat me on my chair? It goes pretty fast."
"Doesn't your chair have to be chared with the batteries, sire?" Sophie asked.
"That's a good point, my chair could run out of juice," Stephon agreed, "Chrissy, is my chair properly charged?"
"Charged and ready," Chrissy confirmed.
"Good, good," Stephon said as he started down the stairs, "and the wheels? Tip-top shape correct?"
"All in giid condition and ready for use," Chrissy assured.
"Good," said Stephon. "He looked at the butler who had helped Chrissy bring hia chair down. "You, you stand in as the the battier we must pass in order to determine the winner."
"Yes sire," the butler said as he moved to the other end of the hallway. "Will this work Sire?"
"Yes, perfect," said Stephon as he climbed into his chair, "let's get this started then. Wataru?"
"I'm ready!" Wataru cheered as he set up his board next to the king.
"Sophie, you can start us up, and Chrissy, you can be the judge," Stephon ordered.
"Yes sire," both ladies said.
"On your marks, get set," Sophie started off.
"Not too late to change your estimation," Stephon whispered to Wataru.
"Mmm-mmm!" Wataru insisted.
"Go!" Sophie suddenly shouted. Both Wataru and the king took off fast.
Wataru kept his foot off against the floor, while Stephon kept pushing on his go button on his chair.
You can't beat me Wataru! I don't have to put much effort into making my chair go!" Stephon shouted.
"Yeah, but I'm really good at going fast!" Wataru shouted back.
"Oh really?" Stephon asked as he tried going at different speed on his chair, pulling ahead just slightly. Wataru noticed and started pushing himself faster as well. The two kept going against each staying mostly neck-in-neck, until finally Wataru managed to give himself one final push that was able to shoot his forward fast enough to pass the butler first, just before the king.
"Ah!" Stephon gave a playful moan.
"Yes! I won! I won!" Wataru cheered, pumping his fists in the air.
"I suppose you did," said Stephon.
"And it prooves your estimate was correct," said Sophie as she walked over to the bot, "what do you supposed that means?"
"That I'm faster than the king on my skateboard?" Wataru questioned
"Yes, there is that conclusion," Sophie said, "what else is there to be learn from this experiment?"
"That the floor is a good surface to ride a skateboard on?" Wataru speculated.
"Good," Sophie concured.
"Maybe that sometimes mechanical devices don't always have the advantage?" Chrissy said with a smile.
"Are you mocking your king?" Stephon joked as he drove the chair over to Chrissy.
"Just pointing out the facts sire. Just pointing out the facts," Chrissy insisted.
"Hmm," Stephon muttered, still smirking before making his way over to Wataru.
"So my lad, you managed to defeat a king. How does that make you feel?"
"A little cool actually. I like it when I win!" Wataru said happily.
"Oh you like making the king feel like a fool do you?" Stephon said as a joke as he stood up and started to chase after Wataru. Wataru took it as a sign to try running away as quickly as he could.
"Get back here! Get back! I'm going to get you for that!" Stephon taunted with glee as he tried his best to chase Wataru.
"Shall I help apprehend him for you sire?" Chrissy asked.
"No! No! This is something a king must do!" Stephon declared in an overexaggerated grand voice. He kept trying to get after Wataru, until finally, when Wataru tried to run behind him, Stephon managed to reach behind and grab him, pulling him close.
"Got you at last!" Stephon declared.
"No! No! Let me go!" Wataru pretended to fight to get away.
"Never! You are my prisoner now!" Stephon insisted.
Both he and Wataru kept laughing at their fun.
"Directing! Right! As if you could do anything that involved leading people!" Robert muttered as he kept dragging Bea along with him.
"You keep saying that," Bea grumbled. "And shouldn't be a requirement to be a leader of sorts if I'm going to be queen someday?"
"When we're married and I am king, I'm going to keep you locked up as much as possible and only take you out for public appearances!" Robert was saying, though Bea could tell he wasn't saying that in response to what she was saying and more like saying out loud what his plans were for the future as king.
The two, along with their entourage, could hear laughing.
"What is that?" Robert asked as he took off, after sound, dragging Bea with him.
They soon came to the stairs where they could see the king and Wataru playing together.
"Oh that looks sweet," said Bea.
"Hmm!" Robert muttered, "Uncle never played with me like that!"
"Oh don't tell me your jealous of all that!" Bea moaned.
"Shush!" Robert snapped. "Honestly, you seem to be less and less easy to control! It's unbelievable!"
"Sorry," said Bea.
If I had known you would have turn out to be so hard to control after meeting those stupid brothers, I never would have brought you here!" Robert snapped at her.
"Hmm, well too bad. They made an impression on me and it's going to be hard to lose it," said Bea.
"Oh don't worry, I can help you with that!" Robert threatened.
"You can all you want, but it won't do you much good. As long as you see Ema as a threat to your plans and she has her brothers all around her, you'll be stuck with them."
"Yes, as long as she's close to her brothers, she could even go to actually want to be queen in place of me!" Robert said mad, doing his best to not let Stephon and the others down below hear him.
"Of course if she had someone else in her life to distract her from her brothers, it would work out a lot different wouldn't you say?" Henry suddenly said.
"Like?" Robert asked.
"Emma is a member of the royal family and as such, it would look good in her favor to have a more suitable match, worthy of royalty." Henry explained.
"Ah shit!" Bea muttered.
"You have someone in mind?" Robert asked.
Henry looked at Bea before whispering into Robert's ear.
"Hmm," Robert said as his evil smirk return to his face. "He could be perfect for us. Yes, I will personally intorduce him to Emma at the party."
"Who?" Bea demanded to know.
"None of your business, Woman!" Robert snapped at her again.
He looked down at Stephon and Wataru still playing, "but he is just the right kind of person I need to control Emma and her brothers the waynI want! And then nothing will get in my way of being king!"