DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
Ema held her dad's hand as the two walked with the king to his room. She noticed he was looking around with idol curiosity.
"How are you feeling Papa?" she asked.
"I'm fine, just admiring the palace once again. It hasn't changed much since I was last here," Rintaro explained.
"Yes, I wanted to preserve it as it was when I was happy with my daughter and wife," Stephon mentioned a little sternly. Ema looked at her grandfather a little surprised.
"Forgive me Ema, I do have a bit of pint up anger towards your father for taking your mother away, not telling me she died and telling me about you after all these years. I'll try to not be so sinicale towards your father while he's here," King Stephon quickly apologized.
"It's alright your Majesty," Rintaro assured him, "I kind of figured you'd sort of treat me this way should we ever meet again. And I kind of deserve it. So please, I will accept your wrath however you see fit to deliver it."
"Hmm," Stephon said as they came a door and a butler opened it.
Inside was a what looked like a luxury apartment with couches, coffee table and a desk.
"The door the left has the bed, the door to your right, the bathroom," the butler explained as he and the other servants carrying the luggage carried them to the bed room.
"I figured you and your wife deserved a little luxery and a chance for privacy while you were here," Stephon said.
"Thank you, your highness, it's very nice," Rintaro said as he looked around the room.
"Yes, I should hope so," said Stephon, "well, I'll just leave you be then. Let you get some rest before dinner and all."
"May I stay with Papa for a while Grandfather?" Ema asked.
"Absolutely my dear, feel free to stay with him as long as you like. I'm sure you two have a lot to catch up on," Stephon said kindly as he patted her head and headed out.
Both Ema and her dad took a seat across from one another on the couches.
"So, be honest, please, are you mad at me?" Rinatro asked.
"No, honestly," Ema assured her dad, "it was confusing at first to say the least. But between the DNA test proving who I am and the fact that Grandfather was so welcoming and caring and kind to me and my brothers, I've fast come to accept who and what I am."
"And what is that, exactly?" Rintaro asked a little intrigued.
"I am Ema Asahina, daughter of Kenji and Yuki Nagami, and daughter of Rintaro and Miws Hinata. Also the proud sister of the 13 Asahina brothers. While also I am Princess Ema of Elence, daughter of Princess Yolanda and her husband Kenji, and granddaughter of King Stephon the 2nd."
Rintaro smiled with pride, "good for you dear! Your mother would be so proud of you right now! So would your father!"
"How do you think they'd feel about me deciding to be my grandfather's successor? The future queen?"
"Well it was what your mother would have expected of you. Even when she was living in hiding with your father in Japan, she'd often talk about going back some day and how if and when they had kids, how she'd hope to raise them similarly to how her father raised her. Riased it as its mother and as the next king or queen after her." Ema nodded, she knew her grandfather would want to know about that.
"Your father on the other hand, he'd be feeling a little hesitant. He was scared constantly of somebody finding your mother and coming to finish her off. He was even more frightened when you were born. I'm sure he'd have some protests over the matter. But in the end, he'd support you. He knew being royal was in your blood just like your mother's and you'd make a good queen."
"Oh thank you Papa!" Ema said as she reached over and hugged him, "but what about you? How do you feel about it?"
"I'm feeling the same way your real father would have. I'm scared something bad will happen to you with this. Sounds like it already has. I mean you were kidnapped here for god sakes! You were almost killed! I'd never be able to live with myself if you had died!"
"Oh Papa!" Ema said softly.
"But, I am at the same time proud of you. You've come so far, and are working so hard. Princess or not, I couldn't be more proud of you and what you've tried to do since being here! And if you want to keep going at this, to the point of being queen, I'll be there at your coronation ceremony, fully prepared to swear my loyalty and devotion to you."
"Thank you Papa!" Ema said again.
"With that said, are you sure this is what you want? You'll practically lose your freedom and maybe never be able to return to Japan except for offcial business or what not. You want to give up your life as is?"
"I do feel that right now," Ema said, "but thanks to Grandfather not making he his offcial successor, just his intended, I will have a little more freedom for now to do things like go back to Japan for fun, try living my old life a little if I want to. See if I still want to be queen someday."
Rintaro nodded, "that's true. Well, whatever you decide to do, I'll be there to back you up!"
"I hope I am able to make the right choice," said Ema.
"If I raised you right, you will," Rintaro assured her.
"Louis," Sophie said as she walked up to the lounge doors where Louis, Yusuke, Wataru and Ukyo were all still standing. The other brothers had all gone off on their own.
"I brought this for you, Uncle asked me to give it to you, so you can show your mother." She held up a silver photo album. Louis took it and opened it to see many different pictures of him with his real parents when he was a baby.
"Thank you, I'm sure mother will like seeing this," he said.
"I want to see!" Wataru insisted.
"Why? It's his," Yusuke said as he tried to keep the boy at bay.
"No it's okay," Louis assured his brothers as he knelt down to let Wataru take a look.
"Wow, your mommy and daddy seemed so nice," Wataru said.
"Yeah they do," Louis agreed.
Just then Masaomi walked out of the room. "Well, who's next? Louis or Yusuke?" he asked.
"I'll go," Louis offered.
"I don't care," Yusuke muttered. He wasn't sure how his mom was going to take the news he and Ema were kind of together.
Louis carefully opened the door and walked in.
"How did mom take the news about your job offer?" Ukyo asked.
"She seemed intrigued by it and wanted me to take it if it becomes available," Masaomi told him, "however, that may cause a problem for Wataru." The two oldest all looked over at the boy flirting with Sophie.
"Mom doesn't want him to stay here just yet, she'd rather he go back to Japan for now. At least until more of our potential jobs and positions are more solid and secured."
"That makes sense," said Ukyo.
"So she said she's going to work out something with the other guys who are in fact going back to Japan and herself and Rintaro so I can have the freedom to stay here to not only help more with the hospital project, but be ready to take the job offer."
"I hope it'll work out for the best," said Ukyo.
"Yeah me too,' said Masaomi.
Louis was quiet as he watched his mom look through the photo album.
"Wow, your mother was pretty," Miwa said at last, "you look so much like her. And your father, he's so handsome! I'd go for a guy like that."
"Thank you Mother," Louis said.
Miwa smiled at him as she put the album down.
"Are you ok? Truly? With everything that's happened?" she asked.
"I am, truly mother," Louis assured her, "I've decided that I'd like to maybe try my hand at my father's old career with being an ambassador for Elence."
"That sounds interesting," Miwa said, "but what about your desier to be a hair stylist?"
"I don't see why I can't do both," said Louis, "I can style hair as a way help with negotiations."
"My son, hair-styling ambassador," Miwa joked, "I can actually see you doing that."
"Thank you Mother," Louis said.
"Are you going to try and meet your real mother's family at some point?" Miwa asked cautiously.
"I'd like to, but I kind of wanted you to come with me when I did," Louis said.
"Me?" Miwa said.
"I'd like to have the woman I've always known as my mother and has helped me so much, be there as moral support for coming to see my past," Louis explained.
"Of course I will," Miwa assured him. She then gathered Louis in her arms and hugged him, "you are and you always will be my son! My precious boy! I love you so much! And am happy you found out about your real patents."
"Thank you mom," Louis said hugging her tight.
The two kept hugging for what seemed like ages before both slowly pulled away.
"I guess I should go and let Yusuke in," Louis said as he stood up. He gathered up the album.
"Of course, we'll talk later about going to meet your real mother's family," Miwa said.
"You're my real mother, mom," Louis insisted, "she's just, well, my mother-mother."
Miea chuckled, "well she blessed me with a wonderful son. For that I am eternally grateful to her and your father."
"And I'm sure they are eternally grateful for you being my mother," Louis added as he walked out.
Miwa sighed as shut her eyes.
'Sir Walter, Lady Georgette, I do thank you for my son. I'm only sorry you had lose him in such a way that let him to me.'
She opened her eyes as the door opened and she saw Yusuke poking his head in.
"Hi mom," he said timidly.
"Well don't just stand there, come in," Miwa ordered pointing to the vacant spot all her others sons had sat at.
"Yes," Yusuke said as he slowly obeyed.
"So," Miwa said, "what have you to tell me? Have you been able to cope with your abduction and everything?"
"I've been doing okay with all of that," Yusuke said.
"And what else have you been up to since coming here?" Miwa asked.
"Training mostly," Yusuke said.
"Training?" Miwa asked.
"Yeah, by some of the gaurds. There's one, Billy, he's kind of taken me under his wing to help train and teach me how to be a gaurd so I could help protect Ema. They even had me stand in, in her security party on several occasions. Heck I saved her from an aggressive guy when she visited the university and I helped protect her when she was attacked at hospital meeting reception."
"Did you really? You weren't hurt were you?" Miwa asked alarmed.
"No, I'm fine,' Yusuke assured her, "I also helped find and save her from her crazy cousin Robert during the big attack the other day. Her and a visiting prince from the next country, Poulon. And the king of that country and the prince's father have said they want to knight me for my heroic actions."
"You're getting knighted?" Miwa said excited, "how wonderful! I'm so proud of you! It almost sounds like you found your calling!"
"I think I have," Yusuke said, "I want to keep getting trained in ways that the gaurds protect royalties."
"Are you going to become a gaurd yourself?" Miwa asked.
"I'm not sure," said Yusuke.
"Why not dear?" Miwa kept prodding.
"Well, I may have started a relationship with someone and being a member of the royal gaurd might interfere with our relationship," Yusuke reluctantly explained.
"Oh, you too huh?" Miwa muttered, "well who is she?"
"You actually may know her already," Yusuke kept muttering.
"Hmm?" Miwa said, "who is she?"
Yusuke just bit his lip.
"Yusuke, who is she?"
"Ema," Yusuke said under his breath.
"I'm sorry, who was that?"
"Ema," Yusuke said a little louder.
Who?" Miwa asked one more time.
"Ema! Okay?!" Yusuke finally blurted out.
"What?" Miwa said in shock.
"Ema and I are getting close, close enough to kiss. On more than one occasion," Yusuke admitted.
"You and Ema?! My little girl?!" Miwa asked.
"What about me? I'm your son!" said Yusuke.
"Yeah and I got 12 more of you!" Miwa said, as a joke. "But seriously, you and Ema?!"
"Is it so hard to accept?' Yusuke asked.
"I suppose not," Miwa agreed, "you have knwon her longer than your other brothers and are roughly the same age. How serious is it?"
"Well like I said, we've kissed," Yusuke said, "and I've been with her nearly all the time here. We really seemed to have connected. I really love her mom."
Miwa looked at him with an empty expression for a while.
"I see," she said at last, "well, we shall have to see where this takes you two. Especially if she becomes the queen. You willing to be a husband of a queen, Yusuke?"
"I'd be willing to marry her even if she turned out to be Satan's granddaughter!" Yusuke declared.
Miwa giggled at her response.
"Well luckily she's too sweet for that," she said, "but how will this affect your training as a gaurd?"
Yusuke shrugged. "At the least, I'll know some moves to protect her when I'm at her side."
"Good boy, I am glad to see you doing something good with your life, even if you weren't with my precious Ema," Miwa said. She leaned over and kissed the top of his head.
"Mom, I'm not a little kid anymore!" Yusuke complained.
"You'll always be my little boy! You are my third youngest after all," Miwa insisted. She gave him another kiss just out of spite. Yusuke groaned.
"I am curious about how your dad and the king are going to take the news you're with Ema," Miwa said as she stood up and adjusted her clothes.
"I think the king already knows. He's made a few hints at it," said Yusuke, "and besides, Billy says the king's not too picky about ranks or titiles when it comes to marrying into the royal family. And as for Rintaro, I'm not as worried about him as am about that stupid rodant who constantly attacks us at random, Juli!"
"Has he gone after you?" Miwa joked.
"Not yet, but I'm betting that's because he doesn't know. I think he's been happy being home again since this is where he's from too," Yusuke explained.
Miwa nodded, "makes sense," she said, "well good luck with him. Juli's vicious I'll admit."
She and Yusuke walked out where Masaom, Ukyo, Louis and Wataru were all waiting, along with Sophie.
"Hi, mom, all done?" Wataru asked.
"I think so, for now," said Miwa.
"Then you can come down to the stables to see Wind Storm!" Wataru said excited.
"No, honey, not right now, I am a little tired. I'd like to go to my room and see your dad and sister," Miwa insisted kindly, patting his head. She looked over his head at Louis and Sophie.
"And who are you, young lady?"
"Oh," Louis started to say, "Mother, this is...,"
"My tutor Lady Sophia!" Wataru quickly said, "she's my tutor! She's been keeping me caught up with my education while I'm here!" He glared at Louis, "I saw her first, don't forget!"
"Of course, Wataru, of course, that's why you get first dance at the ball," Louis assured him.
"Oh, my, I hope you boys don't get into a duel for the fair maiden," Miwa said smirking towards Sophie, "so you're my son's tutor?"
"I'm an education student right now, hoping to be a teacher someday," Sophie explained, "my uncle is the palace historian and he and the king asked me to fill the position for now." She looked back at Louis, "I was also a sort of child friend of Louis'. Our parents were good friends, so we'd play together sometimes when we werr resl young."
"Was that all your parents had you do?" Miwa asked looking back and forth between her and Louis.
"Well, they had some hope for the two of us being together when we got older," Sophie admitted, "but they weren't the kind to force it if it didn't work out."
"But has it?" Miwa kept prodding.
Both Sophie and Louis blushed. Miwa merely smiled.
"I'm sure we can talk more during the dinner and afterwards," she said as she finally walked off.
"She seems nice," Sophie said.
"Here's hoping she takes well to the other friends we're having at dinner tonight," said Masaomi.
Miwa walked down the hallway, a little unsure if she was going the right way, until she happened to come across the king coming her way.
"Oh hello Lady Miwa," Stephon said.
"Hello your Majesty," Miwa said performing a respectable bow.
"Were you looking for your quarters?" Stephon asked.
"Yes, I had a rough idea where they were, but wasn't quite certain," Miwa admitted.
"Then allow me to escort you back, I was just there," Stephon offered, as he gestured the way.
"Thank you, your majesty," Miwa said as she walked next to him.
"I hope everything is looking well in regards to your boys," Stephon said.
"They all sound like they've had an interesting time here, and are prepared to make some pretty big changes. I like knowing they've managed to flourish so much since being here. Even if most of their experiences here seem to revolve around women."
King Stephon chuckled, "yes, even though most have only known some of these new lady friends of theirs, they've all seem to made a deep connection with them. I think you'll like them."
"Well, it's hard to disagree with a king," Miwa said, "I am afraid I have some bad news for you, your highness. I'm afraid I want to take Wataru back to Japan sometime soon."
"Oh I see," Stephon said softly.
"He's just a boy and given what I've been told by my sons, a lot of what they're hoping to do isn't secured yet. Even the ones who are going to go to school here, I wouldn't want them to balance school and childcare for him. I just feel for now, he should be at home and when things seem more secured, we can look into him maybe moving to Elence predominantly," Miwa tried to explain.
"No I understand," King Stephon insisted, "he's your son and you have to do what's best for him. Though I do think I'll miss him the most."
"Yes, I've been told he's your favorite," Miwa said, "with that said, I'd like to work out an arrangement to let Wataru take his new horse Wind Storm back with him."
"Oh you need not worry about that," said King Stephon, "I promised him he'd get to take the horse home with him, one way or another."
"Excellent," Miwa said, "we can work out the details later."
"Yes of course," Stephon said they came to a set of doors, "ah here we are." He pushed the doors open wherr Ema and her dad were still talking. Both stopped and turn their heads as the king and Miwa walked in.
"Oh hello Mom," Ema said as she stood up.
"Hello my dear!" Miwa said with delight as she hugged Ema tight, "I always saw you as a princess! Ever since I first saw you!"
"Thank you Mother," Ema said happily, "I'm so glad you and dad are here! The whole family together like this!"
"Me too," Rintaro agreed.
"Yes, this place has become much more lively since the boys have come here and now you two, this is a better family reunion than the ones that's planned with ball," Stephon agreed as he started to step out, "see you at dinner, unless you need me sooner."
"Take care grandfather," Ema called out. She and Miwa walked back to the couches and sat across from Rintaro.
"So how are the boys doing?" Rinaro asked.
"Good, they've all managed to keep busy and have manage to do well for themselves, especially Louis. I saw some pictures of him with his real parents. They look like nice people, the kind I could see giving birth to him," Miwa said sounding happy. Though there was a little sadness in her tone.
"I wish I knew them,"' Rinaro said, "they died just before Kenji and I can here."
"He asked me to come him when he goes to meet his mother's family in France," Miwa also mentioned.
"Good for you, I'm sure Louis will appreciate your support when he does that," said Rintaro.
Miwa nodded before she looked back at Ema.
"And as for you, I've heard some interesting rumors about you and a certain young man," she said.
Ema looked alarmed at her mom's statement.
"Not Prince Zane!"
"Who?" Miwa and Rintaro asked.
"The prince of Poulon," Ema explained, "he's King Dimitri's grandson and heir to the throne. Robert tried bringing him here in the hopes we'd be arranged to be married, thereby making me ineligible to inherit the throne here and Elence."
"Oh my," Miwa exclaimed.
"He's not Oliver's son is he?" Rintaro asked.
"Yes and he seemed to like the idea of us being together," Ema added.
"Interesting," Miwa said stroking her chin, "well, no, he wasn't the one I had heard about. I was referring the other gentleman who has seemed to have stolen your heart."
"Ema?" Rintaro asked looking her way.
"Are you talking about Yusuke?" Ema asked.
"Yusuke?!" Rintaro shouted unintentionally.
Ema blushed and and looked away. "Yes," she admitted, "Yusuke and I have gotten close."
Miwa giggled and gave her a squeeze. "That's so sweet! I suppose it was bound to happen! You and him knew each other way before you knew any of your other brothers!"
"I wouldn't say it was because of that. We just, sort of clicked," Ema tried to explain.
"Well, however it happened, I just hope you two are forever happy together," Rintaro said with a shrug.
Just then there was a knock at the door.
"Pardon the intrusion," a butler said as he and a few more walked in, "but the rest of your belongings have arraived." They carried in a huge flat package
"Oh yes, that!" Miwa said excited, "please bring it over here!" She pointed to an empty desk.
"Ema come here, this was the present I bought you. i guess this what started this all," Miwa said as she tore off the wrapping to reveal the painting of Queen Wilima.
"Oh my!" Ema said as she walked over to the painting of her grandmother. "You bought this for me Mom?"
"Well, it was at the auction we attended, and I bought it because I thought she looked like you. Who would have thought that was because you two were related!" Miwa explained, "well except maybe your father.'
Rintaro threw his hands up in defeat.
"Do you wish to see the painting re-hung up, Princess?" the butler asked.
"Maybe Grandfather would, in the meantime can stay here where it'll be safe?" Ema asked.
"Yes Ma'am," the butler said as he bowed and ushered the others out.
"Thanks for buying the painting for me Mom," Ema said, "you're right, if you hadn't bought this, none of this probably would have happened."
"Maybe it was a little bit of combined motherly love from me and your real mom, guiding you here," Miwa said wrapping her up in a hug once more.
"I must say, Hikaru's fashion tastes haven't faulted,' Miwa said later that night as she stood in front of the mirror dressed in salmon off the shoulder cocktail dress Hikaru had brought her, "I almost feel too fancy to want to step outside in it."
"You'll be fine," Rintaro assured her, dressed in a new formal tux, "I'm sure the boys and their friends are more nervous over the notion of meeting you."
"Well, if they're good girls, they shouldn't have to worry," Miwa said sternly, "let's get going then." She linked arms with her husband and the two walked out.
"What did you think of the ballgown Hikaru got you?" Rinaro asked as they walked along the hallway.
"I'm glad he went with the gold color. The gold color is lovely," Miwa said happily.
"Hi Mom, Hi Dad, are you ready for dinner?" Ema greeted them at the top of the stairs waiting witg Yusuke and the king.
"Oh Ema, you look so gorgeous!" Miwa exclaimed as she looked Ema over in her white and blue dress.
"So do you Mother!" Ema replied.
"Yes, you look wonderful my dear lady," King Stephon said. He offer Miwa his arm, "might I have the honor of also escorting you to dinner"
Miwa looked at Rintaro.
"Go ahead dear," Rintaro encouraged. Miwa blushed as she took the king's arm and walked with him down the stairs.
"Ema?" Rintaro asked, offering up his own arm again. Ema looked between him and Yusuke.
"No, you go ahead,' Yusuke insisted as he took a small step back. Ema nodded and hooked arms with her dad.
Yusuke noticed Rintaro shoot him a bizzar look before he and Ema started to walk down.
"At least he doesn't look too upset about me and Ema,' Yusuke thought as he followed down.
"The other guests have already arraived and are waiting in the dinging room," King Stephon mentioned as they walked together.
"Hmm, so I'm about ready to meet these little lady friends," Miwa muttered. She was more curious than discourage over the idea.
"So what was your mother's over all reaction to finding out about all the stuff you and your brothers have been up to since you've been here?" Erica asked Masaomi as she sat next to him at the grand dinging table waiting for the last few guests to arraive. Masaomi looked over at her to reply and noticed she was unintentionally squeezing her napkin.
"She seemed intrigued by the whole thing," he tried to say as a means of comfort, "and she was supportive of my desier to possibly be head doctor of the children's hospital."
Erica nodded, "I'm glad she approved."
"Yes, it's good to have your mother's support right?" Hannah said who was sitting next to her. She was kept taping her finger on top of the table.
"She's always trust us to do the right thing," Ukyo said also in an attempt to calm her down.
"Well, where is she already? I'm hungry," Bea said out loud, not showing any sign of nervousness.
"Maybe she and your dad are too tired for dinner tonight, maybe they're going to have to postpone," Natasha spoke up. She looked like she was attempting to make a run for it, and might have had it not been for her leg.
Both Azusa and Bea gripped her arm and shoulder.
"Calm down," Azusa told her, "we've been over this, you'll be fine."
Natasha nodded but didn't look at him.
"I hope she likes us," Jane said softly, "her and your dad."
"Well, I'm sure most here will leave a good impression on her," Iori assured her.
"She seemed like a nice woman to me when I met her earlier," Sophie mentioned.
"Well yeah that's easy for you to say, you're a likable person," Bea said.
"Now, now, our mother's never neen the overbearing, monster-in-law kind of lady," Masaomi insisted.
"Of course she hasn't been a mother-in-law yet, so who knows how she'll act," Kaname replied.
"Thanks, that's so comforting," Elizabeth muttered.
"Just keeping it real," Kaname said smugly.
"Well I hope she at least liked the dress we got her," Heather said.
"I didn't mention you were the one that picked out both it and her ballgown," Hikaru whispered, "just so she doesn't take it as a ruse to get her to like you."
Heather nodded looking amused by the whole thing.
"Ah finally," Bea said as a butler walked in.
"Presenting his majesty King Stephon, her highness Princess Ema, Sir Yusuke, Lord Rintaro and Lady Miwa."
The big group all walked in.
"Sorry to keep you waiting gentlemen, and ladies," King Stephon said as he escorted Miwa to her chair.
"Thank you, your majesty," Miwa said as she situated herself in her chair. She immediately started to scan the room trying to look at each and every new person she hasn't seen before. Nearly all the girls at thr table gulped.
"So what do you think so far?" Rintaro whispered to her.
"Well they're obviously very attractive women," Miwa whispered back, "and they all seem good hearted. But the evening's still young." She cleared her throat and spoke.
"So, how's everyone feeling tonight?" she asked casually.
A whole sea of "good-good," filled the room.
"I hope your trip to Elence was peacful, Mrs. Asahina," Elizabeth spoke up.
"One of them has guts," Miwa whispered to Rintaro.
"It was quite relaxing, thank you," she replied, "I'm sorry, what was your name?"
"Uh, Elizabeth, ma'am," she replied quickly.
"She's the representative that escorted us to this fine land," Kaname added, "and she was quite the gracious escort."
"Ah, yes," Miwa said, "thank you for taking such good care of my boys. Now aren't you the one who has the sister?"
Emily looked up like a deer in headlights. "Yes, she and I are sisters."
"Oh of course, now I see it. You two do share some similar traits," Miwa said, "you're both very lovely."
"Thank you Ma'am," both sisters said together.
"Maybe we should shaken things up and not sit so close to the sons we all have befriended," Bea said, "let you try and guess who's who."
Miwa smirked her way.
"I like her," she said, "you must be the one my dear son broke up the engagement."
"Oh yes, how tragic that was," Bea said.
"And you're the one who's planning on coming back to Japan with him," Miwa also mentioned.
"Hopefully yes," Tsubaki answered.
"Tsubaki, let the woman speak for herself," Miwa insisted.
"I do, I want a change of scenery," Bea insisted.
"Well, one of greatest places to do that would be Japan," Miwa seemed to agreed, "and it sounds like we have some openings at our humble abode that you're welcome to stay there if you wish."
"Oh thank you Madam," Bea thanked.
"And I guess that goes for any of you ladies that were planning on going back to Japan with my sons," Miwa said. She lookd around the table until her eyes fell on Ami, "like you, you're going aren't you?"
"Uh, yes, I suppose," Ami sputtered, "Futo seems convinced I have potential to make it as an idol."
"Of course she does," Futo insisted.
"And is that what you want dear?" Miwa asked.
Ami looked surprised at her question.
"Well," she started to answer, "I don't know if i want to be a singer per say, but I wouldn't mind trying my luck as a model or an actress."
Miwa cast a glance at Futo.
"We can work it out, as long as she's with me," Futo insisted as he put his arm around her.
Ami nodded in agreement, "I would like to stay with him too."
"Well, I hope you're happy in Japan with Futo. He can be a handful," Miwa said.
"Oh yes! I would have to agree," Ami said casually.
"Good, good," Miwa said nodding to Rintaro in approval.
"I hope none of my sons have been too hard for you ladies to handle."
"Oh no, most of the boys are great," Heather said.
"Oh don't tell me, let me guess, you must be the Prime minister's daughter," Miwa quickly said.
"Guilty as charged!" Heather said with delight.
"You do seem like the kind of woman who would be perfect for my Hikaru," Miwa priased.
"Thank you, he is quite the catch," Heather said looking at Hikaru with her lustful gaze.
"I think I like this one too," Miwa whispered to Rintaro, before she started to search out her next victim among the guests. Her eyes soon landed on Rose and Natasha.
"Now you two are the ones that work in the stables, correct?"
"Yes Ma'am," Rose said kindly.
"Yes," Natasha barely muttered.
"What's that dear? I can't hear you," Miwa said.
"Yes, I-I work in the stables," Natasha spoke up louder.
"I heard my youngest son has become a little equestrian. How is he doing in all honesty with his riding," Miwa proded.
"Oh he's good. Him and Wind Storm have a good bond and that's one of the biggest things you need if you want to be a good rider," Rose said.
"Would you agree?" Miwa asked looking at Natasha.
"Oh yes, he's just taken to it like he's been doing it all his life so far. He has fine skills for it," Natasha said as calmly as she could.
"Wonderful, you'll have to help me figure out the best way to transport Wind Storm back with Wataru and a good place to house him," Miwa said.
Everyone could see Wataru's happy face at his mother's statement.
"Absolutely!" Rose promised. Natasha merely nodded.
"Now you two aren't the only servants here, right? Wasn't there one more servant girl?" Miwa then asked, even though she was looking at Jane.
"Yes, I'm working as a maid here while I'm attending college," Jane said calmly.
"Oh how nice, what are you studying?" Miwa asked.
"Botany madman," Jane explained, "my father was a botanist and there's a part of me that wishes to follow in his footsteps. The other part just wants to do it for me."
"She sounds perfect for Iori," Rintaro whispered to his wife.
"I know, I like her," Miwa whispered back.
"And let's see, I already know you, Sophie, right?" she asked out loud.
"You're Markus' little grand-niece, aren't you?" Rintaro spoke up. "I remember you! You were the adorable little girl. You use to put your hair up in pigtails! But you were also so sad since when i met you right after Louis' real patents had died and everyone assumed Louis as well."
"I remember you a little too," said Sophie, "you and Kenji. You each made me a badly done origami figure to try and help cheer me up. But I still loved them! What were they again?"
"I made you a flower because they were easier to make and Kenji tried doing a crane and as you said, was really bad," Rintaro recalled.
"You'd try that before with me too when I was little," Ema mentioned.
"I think you even tried doing one for me to try and impress me," Miwa added, "still worked."
Rintaro shrugged.
Miwa then turned her attention to the last two women she hasn't spoken to yet.
"And you two, you must be the politicians that corrupted my son to do the same," she teased.
"Oh it wasn't like that!" Hannah tried to say.
"She's joking," Ukyo whispered.
"Oh," Hannah sputtered.
"You don't see the type that would go into politics dear," Miwa mentioned.
"Oh don't let her fool you, she knows how to get things done. I think half of the hospital project is all her," Erica defended her friend.
"Hmm," Miwa said as she turned her gaze to Erica. Her face seemed more serious than when she had tried observing the other girls.
"You definitely have a look of leadership and desire for power."
Erica shrugged, "I like my work," she said.
"Yes of course,' Miwa said. She still continued to gaze hard at Erica throughout the rest of the meal, like she held her in different terms than the other girls at the table.
"Well, how did you enjoy your first royal meal, Lady Miwa," King Stephon asked once the meal was over, as he tap his mouth with his napkin.
"As fine a meal as one could expect from royalty," Miwa replied.
"Marvelous, I do hold my kitchen staff to high expectations," King Stephon said as he stood up. Everyone stood with him.
"You certainly have my boys well trained," Miwa mentioned as she also stood with Ema and Rintaro.
"They seemed to take to it by instinct," King Stephon praised, nodding to all the men, "you've raised fine sons."
Miwa cast a smile of praise to all her children as she left with the king, and the rest of the party that had come in with her.
"Do you think she liked us?" Hannah asked once she was gone.
"I think you all made a good impression on her," Kaname assured them in confidence.
"I should hope so, she seems like the kind of woman you don't want to make mad," Rose mentioned.
All the brothers grunted in agreement.
Erica put a hand on Masaomi's shoulder and spoke in a low soft voice, "are you sure she likes us? She seemed a little hostile towards me."
"I wouldn't worry about it. I think she just holds you in a little more high standards than the other women my brothers may be attached to," Masaomi explained.
"But," Erica proded.
"I'm sure she liked you," Masaomi assured her, even going so far as to give her a hug.
"So how did you enjoy the company tonight Madam?" King Stephon asked as he help escort Miwa and Rintaro back to their room, along with Ema and Yusuke.
"They seem like nice women. I like Beatrice for sure. She's got spunk! Heather too! I'll probably get along well with them," Miwa declared.
"And the others?" Ema asked.
"Oh I'd probably get along well with all of them," Miwa kept saying, "that Natasha girl seemed a little timid. It might take a while to get to know her better. And then that Erica girl...,"
"You didn't like Erica?" Ema asked in alarm.
"Oh I wouldn't go that far," Miwa assured her, "I just, well, I guess she seems like the most likely to be a rival as the dominating woman. Maybe it's because she's sort of connected to Masaomi or something. But she seems nice and I do think she and I could get along."
"Good," Stephon said as they came to their room and walked in. Then he saw the picture of his late wife.
"Where did that come from? I thought Robert con his way into selling that off at auction," he said.
"It was, I bought it originally because she reminded me of Ema," Miwa explained.
"You bought it?" King Stephon asked.
"Yes, for Ema. But now that she's here, I suppose you can put the painting back," Rintaro suggested.
"Yes, thank you, I would like that," Stephon said as he gently traced his fingers across the picture.
"Could we hang it in my room?" Ema asked.
"That's like a wonderful idea," Stephon agreed, "it was a present for you after all."
"Oh Wilma, if only you could be here no to see the big happy family we always wanted. But thank you for leading them here for me,' he thought as he looked at the happy group just inside the room.