DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
At the helicopter flew Ema's party to their next direction, most sat in silence.
Ema kept thinking back to how she had handled the situation with the old building and Mr. Holms. Mostly she about the praise she had received from the old ladies that lived in the building. The women who had been alived when her great-great grandmother was first crown queen. She hope she wasn't being too arrogant in feeling proud that they had given her such praise when they were probably some of the easiest people to compare Ema to Katherine.
"Your Majesty?" Erica suddenly spoke up.
"Uh, yes?" Ema asked, coming out of her trance.
"I just wanted to say how happy you made Howie and I by helping to come and help sort that matter out. It'll defiantly help stop the project from stalling for much longer," Erica explained happily.
"Wonderful," said Ema.
"We just have to find a way to raise the money," said Hannah.
"Yeah, that minner detail," Erica muttered.
"Maybe Prime Minister Cook could help find a way since parliament is invested in this project?" Ema asked.
"We could ask, they might as well start helping to pitch in," Erica commented a little annoyed.
She was a little surprised when Masaomi put his hand on her shoulder.
"Something tells me it's all going to work out," he assured her.
"Thanks," Erica replied happily. She went and put her hand on top of his in an affectionate manner.
"Oh why can't they get a room?" Zane muttered.
"What?" Ema asked.
"Oh uh nothing," Zane said, "your brother and his girlfriend sure are close."
"Oh, I don't think they're that close," Ema said looking at Masaomi and Erica, "at least not boyfriend-girlfriend status."
Still, even she had to admit they look natural together. Then she looked at Ukyo and Hannah who were having a conversation that was about the hospital meeting. They also seemed to have a natural flare around them. Ema suddenly felt even happier than before. She did like the idea that her brothers were maybe finding love during their stay.
"We're reaching our destination, prepare for landing," the pilot suddenly said over his loud speaker.
"You secured Princess?" Chrissy quickly asked, examining Ema.
"Yes Chrissy," Ema assured her. She noticed that Zane's bodyguard was also double checking him to make sure he was secured as well.
Yusuke meanwhile looked out the window of where he was sitting to see a huge crowd all waiting near the spot the helicopter was supposed to land. There was also a small band waiting and a red carpet.
'Damn, they are really going all out for her,' he thought. He noticed that more bodyguards were there as well keeping the crowd back and securing the area.
"Yusuke, I want you to get out first with John and help make sure the immediate area around the helicopter is safe before the princess is let out, understood?" Chrissy ordered.
"Uh, yes ma'am," Yusuke replied.
Just as the helicopter landed and the blades were heard to stop turning, Zane's bodyguard John opened the door and climbed out, looking around. Yusuke quickly followed suit, mimicking his actions.
Another bodyguard from the ground group approached them.
"Everyone safe and secure inside?" he asked.
"Yes, everything safe ans secured here?" asked John.
"Roger," replied the ground bodyguard. Yusuke poked hia head back in.
"We're good," he said, with a thumbs up.
"Okay, let's get going," Chrissy said as she climb out first.
Ema followed right after her and was surprised to start hearing music playing. There was also signing.
"Oh, God, not this song," Zane muttered as he came up behind her.
"What's wrong with it?" Ema asked, "it's kind of nice."
"I guess you would like it, it is your country's national anthem," Zane muttered some more, "it just gets stuck in your head."
"This is Elence's national anthem?" Ukyo asked as he climbed out of the helicopter with Hannah right behind him. He was a little surprised to hear her singing along. She sounded nice.
"Sorry, I can't help but sing it out loud when I hear it playing," Hannah apologized.
"No, it's fine, I understand," Uyko assured her. He and Hannah actually ended up holding hands as they approached the big group of welcoming people.
A tall well dressed man approached Ema and bowed.
"Hello Princess Emma," he said bowing his head, "I'm Mayor Michael Spallman, the mayor of Almara."
"Nice to meet you," Ema greeted.
"These other people behind are the other mayors and city officials from Almara and the other nearby cities and towns who are really hoping for this hospital project to happen," Mayor Spallman continued to introduce.
"Thank you all for coming," Ema said, "I hope this turns out to be a good day for all of us."
"Princess Emma, I'd like to introduce you to someone really special," Mayor Spallman said as he walked over to a woman and a small boy standing among the crowd.
"This ia my wife Judy and our son Luke. Luke has hypothyroidism."
"Oh dear," Masaomi suddenly spoke up.
"You know od it sir?" Mayor Spallman asked.
"Oh yes sadly. I've seen children come into my E.R. because of it all the time," said Masaomi. He walked over to Luke and knelt down to his level. "Hi Luke, you look like a really brave boy."
Luke smiled and shrugged his shoulders, "if I'm careful enough, I can climb all the way to the top of the rocketship my daddy put in at our home. He says it's safer I play there than at the playground so that mommy or the babysitter can watch me easier."
"Well that's good for your dad. He must really care about you," Masaomi said, "and I bet I wouldn't be brave enough to climb to the top of the rocketship!"
"I want to be an astronaut someday!" Luke said happily.
"Oh, that sounds awesome. I bet you'd make a great astronaut!" Masaomi.
"Your man there sure has a way with the kids," Mayor Spallman said happily to Ema.
"He's actually one of my brothers," Ema told him.
"Oh, I see," said the mayor.
"And yes he is good with children. He's a pediatrician actually, back home in Japan," Ema further informed him.
"Is he?" Mayor Spallman said, sounding really intrigued by that little bit of information. He and his wife shared a look as they watched the interaction with their son and Masaomi. Luke seemed to be quite at ease with Masaomi.
"I'm assuming this hospital will benefit your family for Luke and others like him," Ukyo asked the mayor as everyone headed into the town hall building.
"Very much so. It'll be nice to be able to not have to drive practically an hour for any major medical treatment he needs," said Mrs. Spallman.
"And there's probably some who have it worse than your son," said Ukyo.
"Sadly yes," Mayor Spallman confirmed.
"Well, with any luck, this project will help many of those in need," Ukyo said confidently.
Kaname was walking by himself towards the king's office when he noticed Lord Markus and Sophie had arraived.
"Good morning Kaname," Markus greeted him kindly.
"Good morning good sir and you too lovely Lady," Kaname said kissing Sophie's hand.
"I'd be careful good sir," Sophie said casually, "your brother seems like the jealous type."
"Are we talking about Louis or Wataru?" Kaname joked.
Sophie merely shrugged with a smirk before heading to her classroom.
"Oh what a fine lady she is," Kaname said as he watched her leave.
"Yes, but please be advised, I can be like an overprotective father if I feel it's neccisarry," Markus warned with a smug tone before he too started to walk off.
"Can I ask you something?" Kaname called after him.
"Of course," Markus said kindly.
"Is it true, that the king lost two other children before my sister's poor mother's departure?" Kaname asked.
Markus suddenly looked very pale and sad.
"How did you hear about them?" he asked softly.
"King Dimitri, he asked me to see if I, being a Buddhist monk, could maybe help him find peace over such actions," Kaname explained.
"That sounds like Dimitri, yes," Markus said, "he always did care for Stephon as his friend." He gave a heavy sigh. "It was so sad. It's rarely taked about."
"Yes, that's actually what King Dimitri said," Kaname mentioned. "But can you tell me something about them at least? What were their names?"
"Oh, yes, Stuart was the boy's name. It was a family name of Willma's. And Jacinda, was the girl's name. The name a lesser know flower. I swear if she had lived she would have turned out just like her mother and sister."
"That is a tragedy, for the world to lose such beauty before she could shine," Kaname said softly.
"Do you really think you can help him over this?" Markus asked a little hopeful.
"I will try," Kaname promised as he walked onward back to the king's office.
He knocked on the door and it was opened by Richard.
"Oh hello Kaname," he said, "did you need to speak to the king?"
"If he's free," said Kaname.
"Is that one of the boys? Let him in," Stephon called out.
Richard stood aside and let Kaname pass.
"Kaname, hello!" King Stephon said happily, "did you need to speak to me now?"
"If you're free your majesty," said Kaname.
"Let me finish this up," Kaname said as he wrote fast on the piece of paper in front of him. "Then you'll have my full attention!"
"That's nice, but could we talk outside in the gardens maybe?" Kaname asked.
"Sure, I haven't really strolled through my gardens in a long time," Stephon said as he started writing even faster than before.
"Is that acceptable?" Kaname asked Richard.
"Oh sure," Richard assured him, "is everything alright?"
"Just doing a favor for a friend," Kaname said as Stephon suddenly gave a happy cheer.
"Ha-ha! Done!" he exclaimed. He reached for his cane and stood up, "let's go Kaname!"
Both Kaname and Richard waited for the king to pass before they followed after him out to the gardens.
"How's this my Lad?" Stephon asked when they came to a small section of the gardens that had a a canopy of green vines and pink flowers overhead.
"Yes, I think this will do just nicely," Kaname said, "why doesn't his majesty take a seat?"
Stephon sat down on a nearby white bench, "will this work?" he asked.
"Yes," Kaname concur as he sat one the ground with his legs crossed. "I was hoping I could lead you in a little meditation sir."
"Alright, I could give a try," Stephon said, as did his best to situate himself more comfortable on his bench.
"So what are you guys going to be up to all day?" Tsubake asked his brothers as the three all walked down a hallway together.
"Still working on the game for his majesty," Natsume said.
"I'm not sure yet," Azusa admitted, "but I do know I'm going to be spending the evening with Natasha for another anamie night."
"Oh, wanting to appease the fan?" Tsubaki teased.
"I still don't think it's a good idea you hanging out with her," Natsume warned.
"She's fine, alright!" Azusa insisted, "she just was going about getting ahead in an confused way."
"I hope you're right," Natsume said.
Just then a young butler walked up to the three men.
"Excuse Lord Natsume, you have a visitor," he said.
"Me?" Natsume said surprised, "who?"
"A Miss Emily Smith, she said the two of you meet at the university the other day."
"Oh, her," said Natsume softly, "what does she need?"
"She had a few things to help you with your game."
"Oh, well go ahead and show her to my office," Natsume said. The butler nodded and hurried off.
"So, what's with this girl?" Tsubaki asked.
"She's a history major, who's father was supposed to be my resource for information in regards for my game. But she ended up helping me insstead," Natsume explained.
"She hot?" Tsubaki asked.
Natsume shot his brother a warning look, "why is that always your first question?" He took off before Tsubaki could respond.
"He's right, you know," Azusa said a little bitter, "I'm going to the stables real fast to check on Natasha. If you want to do something after that, let me know."
"Sure," Tsubaki said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Passt,"
"Hmm?" Tsubaki looked around for the source of the noise.
"Hey!" Bea suddenly snuck out of a room with a smirk on her face. She gave Tsubaki a big hug, "was hoping I could run into you!"
"Oh, happy to run into you too, my lady," Tsubaki replied, letting her hug him, "you want to sneak off and do something?"
"I was hoping you'd ask," Bea said. She and Tsubaki looked around before hurrying out.
"One of my brothers said he'll want to catch up later, so we should go somewhere that we can play chance encounter," Tsubaki said as they moved fast.
"Outside, to the gardens," Bea advised, "easy to make such an excuse there."
"Let's go," Tsubaki said as they made a mad dash towards the gardens' door.
They came out and ran around excited, laughing slightly. They walked around several different turn and bends until they came upon an overgrown and happen to come across King Stephon and Kaname there.
"Oh shit!" Bea muttered.
"Lady Beatrice? Tsubaki?" Stephon spoke up. He clearly looked annoyed the two of them were together.
"Hi, we just happened to be walking around the gardens and ran into each other," Tsubaki quickly said.
"Really?" Stephon said, not convinced.
"Anyway, what's going on here?" Beatrice quickly asked.
"I was about to help the king with some of my own techniques as a Buddhist," said Kaname.
"Oh," Bea said, sounding intrigued, "I've always wanted to try something like that. Can we join you?"
"Sure," Kaname said, "if you're able, you should sit like me while we do it."
"Okay, sure," Bea said as she and Tsubaki both sat next to Kaname and folded their legs like his.
"Now let's start by taking a deep breath, everyone take a deep breath," Kaname instructed, "clear your head. Clear your thoughts."
He could hear everyone doing just that. "Try to keep your breaths short and and steady. Nice and slow." he waited for everyone to do as he asked. "Now I want you to think about something that has been bothering your soul. Something that has cause much distress over the years that you've tried to hide away."
"What is this for exactly?" Stephon suddenly asked.
"A way to help clear up your soul, to help you let go of inner torment," Kaname said.
"Like what?" Bea asked.
"What do you see as your biggest torment my lady?" Kaname asked.
"That's easy, being forced to marry Robert by my parents," Bea declared.
"Close your eyes then," Kaname insisted, "keep . Focus on that negative energy that come by thinking of it."
Everyone watched Bea try to do that. They could see her face scrunch up in anguish.
"Try and keep breathing like I told you to," Kaname insisted. "What do you see when you think of the negativity with your forced marriage."
"Lots of red, I see red for some reason," Bea said.
"Rage, rage is flowing through," Kaname said, "what do want with this rage?"
"I want it gone! I want it all gone! I want to be free!" Bea declared.
"Free from what?" Kaname asked.
"Free from all of them. Free from marrying Robert! Free from being a pawn of my parents' desier to rise up in the ranks of the royals! I don't care about being royalty! I don't want to be a royal!"
Bea suddenly snapped her eyes open, panting slightly. Both Kaname and Tsubaki moved over to her and examined her.
"You okay?" Tsubaki asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I think so," Bea said as a small smile came to her face. "I feel like a small weight just got lifted off my shoulders."
"That is one of the perks of meditation," said Kaname.
"Kaname, is that what you're hoping to do with me?" Stephon asked.
"Yes your majesty, as requested by one of your friends," said Kaname looking back at him.
Stephon shot Richard a look. Richard quickly shook his head no.
"And what did this friend say exactly?" Stephon asked.
Kaname stood up and walked over to him.
"He said he's worried about you from having loss so many so close to you and what will happen once I, my brothers and especially if my sister, your granddaughter leaves you too."
Stephon looked at Kaname in surprised. "If you and your brothers leave, that's your right," he insisted, "no one, was expecting you all to stay forever. Same Ema." The sadness in his voice was becoming more and more obvious.
"She has her own life back in Japan. She has her wants and expectations in life. Just because she's a princess now, it's not like she's a traditional one, that's expect to follow in my footsteps."
"Your Majesty, it's okay to want Little Ema to stay with here with you. Especially with all you've lost, Yolanada, Ema's mother, your wife Willma, and even Stuart and Jacinda."
Stephon suddenly looked really confused and and angry hearing their names.
"Who told you about them?!" he demanded.
"Who?" Bea asked, "I've never heard of those other two."
"You weren't supposed to," Stephon snapped.
"King Dimitri told me what happened. It was sad loose such precious life so young," said Kaname.
King Stephon clenched his fist. "This really wasn't something I wanted to have brought up! I, I don't like talking about them!"
"Who are they?" Tsubaki asked.
"Please, Tsubaki, don't pry," Stephon said as he reached for his cane, "I gather your intentions are good and all Kaname, but we're done!"
"Your Majesty, please give this a chance. If not for yourself than for Ema. Help to see her grandfather is fine and will be allowed to suffer less while she is with you."
At that Stephon stopped reaching for his cane.
"I don't know, it's just been so long and hard thinking about those two. Not only was it sad to lose two of my beautiful babies so young and so soon. But that the fact that Wilma had to do die not too long after. It was just!" Stephon couldn't finish before he actually broke down and started to cry.
"I know your majesty, I know, but this will help. This will help. Look what it did for Lady Beatrice," Kaname insisted.
King took a deep breath and re-situated himself on the bench. He closed his eyes and started to breath in and out like before.
"Focus on the negativity you've always felt when you think about the loss of your wife, your son and and both your daughters."
"Daughter-s?" Tsubaki and Bea both said together. They both joined Kaname standing around the king.
Stephon's breath got a little deeper as he seemed to be focusing on the two of them.
"What do you see?" Kaname asked.
"Blue, and black. Lots of blue and black," said Stephon.
"Sorrow and loss," Kaname mentioned, "you've had so much sorrw in your life. So much loss. You just see your life as one big empty void that you feel like you'll be lost forever. You'll never know peace since you have to take care of everyone while also fighting those you see as a threat."
"Robert!" Stephon suddenly said out loud.
"Don't let him haunt you anymore," Kaname insisted, "Focus on the good. Focus on Ema, and us."
"Ema," the king said gently, "oh Ema. And you, your brothers. I, see brighter colors when I see you all, especially her. I feel warmer. I feel like she's right here with me! I feel happy!"
"Good, good," Kaname said happily. Stephon opened his eyes. Tears were still in his eyes but he looked happy.
"I don't think I've felt this at ease in a long time!" he said as he stood up, without his cane.
"Whoa, whoa! Your Majesty!" Richard shouted as he tried running to the king's aid.
"What?" Stephon asked as he walked over to him, again without his cane.
"Uh, well," Richard said pointing towards the king's hand.
"Hmm?" Stephon said looking down at it himself. It was then he realized he wasn't holding his cane.
"Where's my?" Stephon sputtered as he looked back to his bench and saw the cane leaning against it. Stephon walked back to the bench and stared at it. He looked back and forth between his hand and cane.
"Are you alright sir?" Richard asked.
"Yes, I feel fine," Stephon said as he started walking around some more on his own. "This is wonderful! I feel almost good enough to dance! I bet I could dance with Ema at the ball now!"
"You're looking good sire!" Bea cheered. She looked at Tsubaki who also looked at her with a big smile.
"Your Majesty?" she called out again.
"Yes my dear?" Stephon replied, as he walked around some more, stretching his legs.
"Can I make a proclamation sire?" Bea asked.
"Certainly," Stephon said.
"I'm not going to marry Robert," Bea declared.
"Oh? Really?" Stephon asked pausing his walk around.
"Yes, I'm not just saying that I don't want to. I'm making it perfectly clear. I will not marry him. And I don't care what he, my parents or even you have to say about it!"
"Very well then," Stephon agreed like it was nothing as he returned to his strut.
"You're not objecting your majesty?" Tsubaki asked.
"Nope, I didn't like the idea of her being forced to marry him as it was. And if she's certain and won't do it, then she won't. Richard get her parents up here immediately. They should be allowed to tell them the news with the knowledge that I support her on the matter."
"Thank you, your majesty!" Bea said excited.
"Right away your highness," said Richard, "but what about Robert?"
"He'll be here soon enough on his own. Let him find out the good news when no longer future in-laws arrive," Stephon said, "now if you'll excuse me. I think I'd like to check out the royal gym for a change."
"Try not to overdo it too much just yet your majesty," Kaname advised.
"I won't, just a little jog maybe," Stephon said, "thank you so much Kaname. We'll have to do this again!"
"That's usually a good idea!" Kaname called out as Stephon walked off happily with Richard behind him, talking in his earpiece.
"Yeah thanks Kaname, that felt good," Bea said.
"Of course," Kaname said as he turned to see her and Tsubaki now had each other's arms around the other's waist. "Anything for a pretty lady."
"My pretty lady now," Tsubaki declared, as he led Bea away.
"Take care," Kaname called after them waving. He smiled a little cocky. "I work good."