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

King Dimitri had just finished pouring himself a brandy when there was a knocked at his door.

"Comd in," he called. The door opened and in walked his servant.

"Lord Kaname Asahina," he said bowing as Kaname walked is with his usual confident smile.

"Welcomd Lord Kaname," said Dimitri, "I apologize for apperance." He looked down at his green silk bathrobe and black slippers with the royal crest of his family on it.

"Oh not at all your majesty," said Kaname.

"Can I offer you a drink?" Dimitri offered gesturing to his mini bar set-up.

"Oh, thank you, your majesty," Kaname accepted kindly.

"My own personal supply, I rarely go anywhere without it," said Dimitri as he poured the drink and handed it to Kaname.

"A true king knows what he likes," Kaname praised.

"Or a man who has advantages he can use," Dimitri said with a chuckle.

"So was this the only reason you wanted to see me your highness? To offer me such an exquisite drink?" Kaname asked as he took a sip.

"No, um, it's a little personal," said Dimitri as he took a seat, "I wanted to ask you a personal favor in regards to Stephon. I'm asking this as his friend and what I'm about to tell you is a taboo subject. It's rarely spoken of, even within the inner circle of the royal family. I wouldn't be surprised if your sister had no clue about it."

"Is it that bad?" Kaname asked.

Dimitri sighed as he looked at his glass, "you know about Stephon's wife and queen, Willma?"

"Yes I've heard of her and saw her picture. She looks like Ema," said Kaname.

"I know, and she was just as kind and hard working. And it was the same with Yolanda, her mother. I swear it likes each woman is just a reincarnation of her mother," said Dimitri.

"Is that you wanted to ask me about, reincarnation?" Kaname joked.

"Oh, no," Dimitri quickly said, "the thing is, she and Stephon really did love each other and the two wanted a big family." Dimitri started to look sad as he spoke, "and by god they tried."

"I take it something prevented that?" Kaname asked serious.

"Yes, I'm afraid," Dimitri admitted, "the thing is, Princess Yolanda wasn't their only child ever born to them. Stephon and Willma had two other babies, a boy and another girl."

"What happened to them? I don't recall ever hearing about them," said Kaname.

"That's because, like I said, they're a very taboo subject," said Dimitri, "both babies allegedly died from SIDS."

"That's sudden infant death syndrome, isn't it?" Kaname asked alarmed.

Dimitri nodded, "I don't even remember their names actually. That's how little Stephon talks about them. And then, to make matters worse, it's highly rumored that their death led to Willma's death. After the second baby tragically died, Willma passed away not too long after. It's mostly felt that she died from a broken heart, having lost two babies, one after the other in such a way."

"Poor woman," said Kaname softly. "But your majesty, what does that have to do with me?"

"I was hoping you could talk to Stephon, actually talk to him and maybe see if you can help him finally let go of all this guilt, frustration and sadness he's been building up in himself all these years. I feel it's led to his deteriorating health, and not strong enough to keep standing up to Robert. You monks are know for doing that right?" Dimitri asked.

"Yes, we can help in matters of finding peace," said Kaname, "are you sure it's appropriate for me to?"

"I really do, I really want to see Stephon at peace, as his friend. It's only going to get worse with this sad news that Yolanda is dead. And even thougn he says otherwise, it'll hurt if or when your sister and even you, and your brothers, leave. So many people he cares about leave him, a man, king or not, can only take so much," Dimitri explained. Kaname could hear the sincerity in his voice.

"I will," he promised the king.

"Thank you, I'm sorry to drag you into this, but, I want what's best for my friend," Dimitri explained.

"I understand completely," Kaname assured him, "and if what you say is true in regards to me and my brothers, I'll do my absolute best to help him."

"Thank you," Dimitri said as he raised his glass. Kaname clinked his against it.

"Maybe somehow someway this was all fate by the gods to help King Stephon and the country in general."

"So help me, that's was some my first thoughts when I met you and your family, especially Ema," Dimitri praised as they toasted again.

The next morning, Ema woke up early and hurried to her closet, thumbing throug it.

'Hmm,' she thought as she flipped through her closet, 'what says, I'm serious and I am here to help, but I'm not too unapproachable.' Nothing seemed to jump out at her.

'I didn't realize how hard it can be dressing as a princess,' she thought some more as she looked through her clothes.

She backed away from her closet, pacing a little and biting her finger. 'What do I wear for these kinds of meetings?' She gave off a little frustrating sigh that almost sounded like a screm.

"Princess, everything alright im there?" Chrissy asked from the other side.

"Just feeling a little frustrated in figuring what to wear," Ema called back.

"Hang a moment," Chrissy called back. Shortly therr after, the doors opened and in walked Jane.

"Good morning," she said bowing, "Chrissy said you could use some assistance Princess."

"I can't seem to figure out what's the best outfit to wear for my two meetings today,' Ema explained, "both are really important and I want to make sure I make a good impression and can let the people know I'm taking their situation seriously."

"I understand," Jane said as she walked into Ema's closet and flipped through the different outfits. "I'll do my best, but I'll be honest, this sort of thing is best handled by Ami. She's the fashion consultant among us maids. I'm sure if she wasn't assigned to be your brother's personal maid, Chrissy would have asked her to give you a hand with this."

"It's alright, I trust your judgement," Ema assured her.

"I appreciate that your highness," Jane sais as she came out of the closet finally holding a samon colored skirt, and jacket ensemble. "This might work."

"Oh, pretty," Ema said as she took it and looked it over. She smiled at Jane with satisfaction before she started to change.

"Would you like some help, Princess?" Jane offered.

"No, I'm fine," Ema insisted kindly, "you look tired as it is."

Jane blushed, "oh, that's just because I was up late, last night, with your brother."

"Oh?" Ema replied, "which one?"

"Master Iori," Jane said sheepishly, looking away.

"Really? Doing what?" Ema asked some more.

"Uh, he helped me get to design one of the flower pieces they display in the administration building at the university for next month and so he and I looked over some of our sketches he came up with we could try doing together," Jane quickly explained.

"That's nice, I'm so glad all my brothers seem to be finding friends here in Elence," said Ema happily. Jabe looked back at her in surprise.

"Yeah, your brother Iori is a good friend," she said, still a little embarrassed, "I-I'm actually a little excited he's going to be attending the same university as me."

Ema could feel a little excited to hear Jane say that. She hoped that both Iori and Jane could continue to be good friends time went by.

Azusa woke up in his bed to the sound of someone knocking.

"Come in," he heard Natsume call out. Azusa reached for his glasses and could finally see his brother sitting in a chair reading as the door opened and in walked the cats' butler with their tray of food.

"Good My Lords," he said bowing as he placed the cats's food tray in its usual place and both Cat Azusa and Tsubaki raced to it, enjoying the foods.

"Thank you as always," Natsume said as the butler left. He looked over at Azusa sitting up in his bed.

"You in pretty late last night, didn't you?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess so," Azusa admitted..

"Where were you?" Natsume asked.

"I was spending time with someone, a friend," Azusa sputtered.

"It's not that crazy bitch from the stables was it?" Tsubaki suddenly asked as he sat up groggy.

"How long have you been up?" Azusa asked.

"Long enough," Tsubaki mocked, "so was I right? You were with her?"

Azusa groaned annoyed, "yes, I was with her, we stayed up late watching some anime she likes."

"Anime? She's an anime fan?" Tsubaki asked a little surprised.

"Yeah, especially in it's original format," Azusa added.

"Did you mentioned you're a voice actor for things like that?" Natsume asked.

"Yeah, I let on," Azusa said with a little smirk.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to be hanging out with her though? She is still technically a part of Robert's loyalties," Natsume mentioned.

"Look, she's only there because she didn't think she'd get very far being loyal to the king," Azusa tried to explain, "and besides, she could be turning."

"You're not just saying that because you got the hots for her are you?" Tsubaki asked, a little bit of a mock.

"No!" Azusa snapped back at him.

"Okay, just asking, because even I'll admit she is kind of hot," Tsubaki said.

"Whatever, that's not why I'm defending her. I'm just stating the facts," Azusa insisted as he climbed out of bed and hurried to the bathroom door.

"Hmm, guess he's a little touchy on the subject," said Tsubaki.

"Well, even if he does genuinely like this girl, it probably will create a contrast of interest if he does keep wanting to hang out with her like that," said Natsume.

"Here's hoping he doesn't get in over his head with her," said Tsubaki.

"You do that enough as it is," muttered Natsume as he flipped through his book some more.

When Ema finally came out of her room, with the outfit Jane had helped her to fine, she did a little twirl in front of Chrissy.

"So how do I look?" she asked the guard.

"Very good your highness, you'll look very responsible with it," Chrissy praised.

"Good, that's what I want to do," said Ema as she walked down her hallway. However she stopped midway when she saw Prince Zane coming out of his room.

"Well good morning Ema," he said with a bow.

"Good morning Prince Zane," Ema said as professionally as she could before she continued to try and walk past him.

"And why pray tell, are you so dressed up this morning, dear Ema?" Zane asked as he tried to follow.

"I have two very important meetings today," Ema explained.

"Hmm, sounds boring," Zane said, "can't you just get someone else to go in your place? I mean you and I should be spending more time together, really get to know each other, especially if we're to help unite our two kingdoms."

"Uh," Ema sputtered, trying to decide what to say.

"Her majesty has taken great intrest in these particular projects and has a tremendous desire to attend them in person to know for sure if they get started properly," Chrissy suddenly spoke up on Ema's behalf, "as a crown prince yourself, you should really start being involved in similar way, your highness."

"Whatever, I don't need to be getting lectured by someone like you," Zane looking away and flicking his wrist at Chrissy.

Ema happened to glance back at Chrissy and could see in the woman's eye how badly she'd like to take the prince's wrist and break it. It was good thing Zane was a prince.

"Hey, Kyo, were you going with Ema to that meeting with the building contractor and the residents?" Masaomi asked his brother as the two got ready for their day.

"I was planning to, I've seen to taken up the role as Ema's royal aid over the past few days," Ukyo joked, "not that I mind. I had always pondered the idea of going into politics and I kind of like it. It's just as challenging as law work and, I still get the sense that I'm helping people like a parent or guardian."

Masaomi patted his brother's back.

"I'm happy for you," he praised, "and if you're also going to the building meeting, I'll just tag along just to make it easier for when we have to go to the hospital meeting."

"If that's what you want," said Ukyo, collecting more of his things.

"Aren't you just going so you can spend more time with your girlfriend?" Wataru suddenly asked.

Masaomi looked like a deer in headlights.

"Wataru, we've been over this, we don't have girlfriends at the moment," said Ukyo quickly, "Ms. Erica is just helping us with Ema's project ideas."

"Sure," Wataru said, rolling his eyes.

"Are you ready for Miss Sophie?" Masaomi asked.

"Oh, yes," said Wataru, "as long as Louis doesn't try and interrupt our lessons today!"

"I'm sure it's not international if he does," said Masaomi. "Now let's go get us some breakfast before she comes and we have to get going."

"... But of course if we went to the club together it might be fun and we'll have the extra security with both of us there," Zane prattle on as he and Ema came to the dinging room.

"I would still have to talk it over with my grandfather and Richard," Ema insisted.

"Oh come on, they don't have to know everything, you'd be surprised how often I've sunck out behind my parents and grandparents' back," Zane bragged.

"Actually we just usually made you think so as not to cause tension," King Dimitri suddenly said as he poked his head out from behind a chair.

"Grandfather, why are you still here?" Zane asked mad and panicked.

"I'm hungry and I don't like to fly on an empty stomach. So I figured I'd help myself to some breakfast before I left. And maybe it's good that I did, since apparently I may have to bring you home for some discipline!" King Dimitri snapped.

"Save your breath grandfather, I'll be fine," Zane assured him annoyed as he sat down.

"I'm glad I got to see you again before you had to leave your majesty," Ema said as she took a seat across from him.

"As am I," Dimitri said kindly, looking at Ema with pride, "I must say you look amazingly well dressed for your duties today. I'm sure you'll do well."

"Thank you your majesty," Ema replied,."I do hope I do good today."

"You'll have to tell me all about it when I return for the ball," said Dimitri.

"I will!" Ema promised.

"I wish more of my grandchildren would start taking up responsibilities like you," Dimitri added looking towards Zane. Zane groaned.

"Dad didn't do that many projects when he was my age, he told me himself!" he whined.

"Yes and I was always a little disappointed he didn't," Dimitri said.

"Fine, what if I just go with Emma...," Zane started to say.

"Ema," both his grandfather and Ema said at the same time.

"Sorry," Zane said, "I'll go with Ema to her meetings today if only to offer up support."

"Uh, that's not," Ema started to say, before looking at Dimitri, "thank you, Prince Zane."

"Just don't be an embarrassment to anyone," Dimitri instructed.

Just then Stephon and Natsume walked in.

"Looks like I finally beat you my boy," Stephon mocked as the two took their seats.

"Yes, I assume I didn't get up quite as early as I would have hoped," said Natsume, "good morning to you King Dimitri and Prince Zane."

"Good Morning, um," Dimitri struggled to recall Natsume's name.

"Natsume, your highness," he quickly informed the king.

"Ah, yes, sorry, thank you," Dimitri sputtered.

"Are you leaving soon, Dimitri?" Stephon asked.

"Yes, I just wanted to eat before I made the flight home. I had to make sure I got to enjoy a real Elence omelet before I left anyway. They can make it the same way in my country but it just doesn't taste the same," Dimitri explained.

"Well you can't expect us to share all the secrets of our omelets," Stephon joked as he started to enjoy one himself. The king merely chuckled at response.

Then Stephon looked at Ema, "you look wonderful today my dear. I'm so happy you're taking these jobs today so seriously to dress in such a manner."

"Thank you Grandfather. It was hard to find the right outfit though. Luckily the maid Jane helped me," said Ema.

"I'll make sure to give the girl a special reward," said Stephon.

"I have something in mind," said Ema, "could you permit her a day off so she can work on a project for school?"

"If that's your suggestion then, I will offer it to her," Stephon promised.

Meanwhile, Dimitri was focusing his attention on Natsume.

"So tell me Natsume, are you usually a ln early riser?'

"Usually, I sometimes like to go running in the morning. And I have to make sure that my company back home is still going smoothly. Also, I'm still researching and collecting information for the game King Stephon requested based out of Elence."

"A hard worker, I like that!" Dimitri declared, "I hope you don't decide to make Poulon the villain in the game though."

"Oh, no, I wasn't planning on that," Natsume insisted.

"Well, and if you do, I hope you go on to make another game based on Poulon's point of view. They have those kinds of games right?" Dimitri asked.

"Yes Grandfather," Zane muttered.

"Uh, I'll uh, take that into consideration," Natsume promised.

"Good morning everyone," Masaomi said, as he Ukyo and Wataru all walked. He and Ukyo both wearing professional and impressive looking suits, complete with briefcases.

Wataru was looking professional as well, almost like a student at a private school. However, he was still his usual bundling self as he ran over to Stephon and gave him a hug.

"Morning!" Wataru said happily.

"Oh, good morning Wataru," Stephon said back, patting his head.

"I missed when my grandchildren would still greet me with a hug," Dimitri said.

Zane groaned.

"Of course, I still have June Surprise, and she still does that for now," Dimitri added.

"What's June Surprise?" Wataru asked.

"My cousin, she was a surprise and born in June," Zane told him. Then he started to smirk, "in fact, she's about your age and your size."

"Huh?" Wataru said a little uneasy.

"You, uh into girls yet, little man?" Zane asked.

"I, like pretty girls like Big Sister and Lady Sophie," said Wataru.

"Are you saying my cousin, won't be pretty?" Zane asked.

Wataru looked at Stephon, "am I being arranged to be married or something like the old days?"

"No," Stephon assured him, "although I will confessed, if June Surprise comes to the ball, I hoping you dance with her at least once."

"Just one dance?" Wataru asked.

"If that's all you want," Stephon assured him.

"Okay, for you," Wataru promised.

"Thank you my boy, now go sit for your breakfast," Stephon insisted, ushering the boy to a chair near him.

Ema felt a little tingle of happiness watching the whole scene of her grandfather and Wataru. It was almost like they were grandson and grandfather. She cast a glance at Dimitri and felt he was feeling the same way.

He tapped his mouth with his napkin and suddenly stood up.

"I should be on my way," he said politely, bowing, "don't worry about showing me out. Ill2be fine."

"It was nice meeting you King Dimitri," Ema said as she also stood.

"Likewise princess," Dimitri said, "be prepared for when I return with my wife. She'll wither smother you with hugs or kisses."

"I look forward to meeting her," said Ema.

Dimitri nodded befor looking at his own grandson. "Behave!" he warned, "I learn you set one toe out of line, I swear I will cut it off!"

"Yes, Grandfather," Zane said, unfazed by his threats.

"And take care as well gentlemen, give my regards to your other brothers. It was delightful to meet you all," Dimitri added looking at Ema's brothers in the room.

"As were we your highness," Masaomi spoke up.

"I hope I can see and hear more about your accomplishments in the future," Dimitri said as he walked to the door. Just then Futo came in with Ami behind him.

"Hello , Futo, and good-bye," Dimitri said.

"You're leaving already?" Futo asked.

"Duty calls," said Dimitri.

"Oh, well, let me get you those autographs you asked for, for your granddaughters," Futo said snapping his fingers, "Ami, go back to the room and get them."

"Yes my Lord," Ami said as she hurried off.

"I'll just wait by the door for them then," Dimitri said as he walked out.

"Nice to see you remembered to do that," Natsume said to Futo.

"Ami helped me fill one out for each granddaughter he has," said Futo, "and speaking of Ami, your highness?"

"Yes?" Stephon replied.

"You know you said we're allowed to bring dates to the ball and we're allowed to help buy them a dress for the occasion?" Futo said.

"Ms. Hattie can help cover the bill. She's the financier of such things. Let her know the dress and the price, she'll take care of the rest," Stephon said instantly.

"Thank you, your highness," Futo replied with a cocky smile.

"You have a dress picked out already?" Ukyo asked.

"She picked it out. There's one she always wanted and it's from a company her parents use to modle for. It means a lot to her," Futo explained.

"That's nice of you Futo," said Ema.

"I'm justba nice guy when it comes to the ladies," said Futo. That earned an awkward silence throughout the room.

"Anyway, we should make this breakfast quick so we can get going," Masaomi quickly spoke up.

"Right," Ema agreed as she ate a little faster.

She, Masaomi and Ukyo had just finished when Kaname walked in himself.

"Good morning everyone," he said with charm, "I take it I missed Kind Dimitri before he left?"

"He had to get going as soon as possible," Stephon explained, still eating his own breakfast.

"I see," Kaname said, as Ema, and his two older brothers walked past him, "you're off as well?"

"Got to get to the firs meeting," said Ema.

"Good luck, I prayed to the gods you'd be successful," Kaname called out before he sat down next to the king himself. "Your majesty? May make a request of sorts?"

"Certainly, anything," Stephon insisted.

"May, I have a moment of your time today at some point? Maybe outside in the gardens?" Kaname. Stephon looked at him surprised by the request.

"If that's what you wish, then certainly. I'll just go over my schedule and see when would be a good time," he replied.

"I'm free all day," Kaname assured him.

Zane studied the man a little curious also by his request.

'Why do I have a feeling this was set up by Grandfather?' he thought.

Ema walked tall in front of her oldest brothers, doing her best to look confident.

"You ready Ema?" Ukyo asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Ema replied, "with any luck, this will be the next step in really identifying myself as a real princess of this country."