A/N: Some of the brothers may be a bit OOC since growing up as a prince is very different than growing up as the son of a successful business woman, but for the most part I'll try to keep everyone true to character.

Prologue

"Surely it's time for at least one of your sons to start thinking about taking a wife," Duke Rukan said to Queen Miwa during a meeting. Miwa held these headache-inducing meetings with all the high-ranking nobles who wanted to attend a couple times a month. She found that the best way to keep the selfish, power-grabbing, mongrels content was to at least pretend to listen to their complaints and act like she was thinking about doing something about it. And every once in a while one of them actually brought up a valid point that did need attention.

"The Duke is quite right," Lord Satsu agreed, nodding his head. "Thirteen princes, and not one of them married. None of them are even courting someone they could marry! Prince Masaomi is thirty-one years old and will ascend to the throne soon enough. Surely the people will feel better about his ascension if he's already married and the people are assured of a queen. Especially if an heir has already been conceived by that point."

Miwa idly rested her chin on her hand, her face giving nothing about her opinion on the matter away and Lord Satsu and Duke Rukan both started to sweat. Miwa didn't doubt that both men would love to see her sons married, more particularly, they'd love to see the princes married to their eligible daughters. However, Miwa had met Duke Rukan's two daughters and Lord Satsu's only daughter. She was not impressed.

"Your Highness?" Kota, Queen Miwa's top advisor, prompted.

"There is some validity to your statements," Queen Miwa allowed, sitting back in her seat. "I'm sure many in the kingdom wonder why none of my sons have yet chosen to take a bride. Though I think an even bigger reaction among the people is the hope that they might still yet be chosen and become a princess of Koukidan. Or perhaps have a family member be chosen." Rukan and Satsu both gulped, neither meeting the Queen's eyes.

"This is enough for today," Miwa said, waving one hand to dismiss her courtiers. "I will consider your words and determine if I feel any of my sons should marry at this point, and who they should perhaps marry." Eyes lit up in excitement as the nobles left the room and Miwa had to resist the desire to call out to them that they really had no reason to get their hopes up. She had enough indulgent royals among her sons. She certainly wouldn't allow any of them to marry a woman who was essentially the same. No, she wanted a higher caliber of women for her sons. Someone who would make them into better men.

Kota alone stayed and stood up to follow Miwa when she went to her study. Miwa sighed as she pulled a ledger listing functions and meetings she had to attend for the month towards her. Truth be told, she'd talked to her sons many times about getting married, but had made no headway with any of them.

Masaomi had yet to meet the right woman, and since he was searching for the kind of woman Miwa wanted him to be with, she was willing to be more patient with him. Ukyo was currently more interested in concerning himself with matters of state and making sure that his older brother was prepared to succeed the throne. Kaname had a whole harem of women at his disposal, both of the noble class and lower, with no interest in getting married and being monogamous. Hikaru loved court intrigue and spent much more effort learning the secrets of everyone at court than in courting anyone. Tsubaki and Azusa worked as a pair in everything and only regarded women as playthings to be shared between them and then discarded once they tired of them. The youngest triplet, Natsume, ran away to his own little fiefdom to escape court politics and Miwa was pretty sure he only cared about taking care of his people.

The rest of Miwa's sons were young enough that she felt little concern over their lack of interest in marriage—other than a general frustration that none of her sons showed signs of being married soon. Louis held no political aspirations and seemed to go around spreading good will. Subaru fought as a knight for the kingdom and far preferred the company of the men who served under him than the company of women. Iori was the fairytale prince who showed no signs of preference between any of the women he associated with for some reason. Yusuke idolized Subaru and wanted to follow in his footsteps. Fuuto and Wataru were both too young to date, though she doubted that would stop Fuuto if he found someone who interested him.

Miwa sighed again until her eyes caught on the name 'Ambassador Rintaro' in her ledger. Miwa eyed the name curiously as she pulled the ledger closer to her.

Rintaro had an eligible daughter. Miwa had met the young woman several times when the girl was younger. Rintaro had brought his daughter, Ema, along with him when he first became ambassador. Miwa had met Ema again just recently when she traveled to the neighboring country of Istain, the ambassador's home country. Miwa had been most impressed with the young woman. Ema was kind, humble, and had a sweet presence about her that made her almost instantly endeating. Despite her luxurious surroundings, Ema hadn't let any of it go to her head.

Miwa had thought at the time that she wanted a gentle soul just like that for her sons. A devious smile curled her lips as the thought crossed her mind again. "Kota, when will Ambassador Rintaro be here?"

"He should arrive in two weeks' time, your Highness," Kota answered. "But I'm afraid he'll be bearing bad news. Civil war is likely to break out in Istain, which will undoubtedly affect our relations and trade with them."

"Civil war?" Miwa asked curiously, the almost happy lilt in her voice confusing Kota.

"Y-yes, your Highness. With the death of the king, there is a dispute about which of his twin sons should ascend to the throne. No one knows which of the brothers is the eldest, and the king was supposed to appoint his successor before his death, but with his untimely illness, it never happened."

"I see," Miwa said, her mind on a completely different matter as she nodded her head. Civil war would make Istain a dangerous place, especially for the vulnerable young daughter of an ambassador. Koukidan was a much larger, more prosperous, and more powerful country than Istain. That made Rintaro an important man as the ambassador to it. Whichever brother Rintaro supported, the other was likely to go after Ema, either to use her as a hostage to get Rintaro onto his side, or kill Ema as retribution for Rintaro not supporting him. Either way, a warring county was no place for a lady.

~.~

"I'm terribly sorry to hear about the troubles in Istain," Miwa told Rintaro, standing and facing the window as he sat on a couch in her study. Miwa held most official meetings in more stately rooms, but since unlike most people she met with Rintaro wasn't arrogant, self-entitled, and self-serving, she made an exception for him. "I'm afraid it is a difficult situation with no clear solution."

"Yes," Rintaro said, leaning his elbows on his knees and staring sadly at his hands. "I think my king predicted this outcome regardless of what course of action he took, which is why he never took the time to name a successor. I wish that he had though. At least then the people would know who to support instead of feeling so much uncertainty."

"Yes…there will be a great deal of uncertainty," Miwa agreed, walking away from the window and sitting next to the ambassador. "Ambassador Rintaro, Istain will be dealing with more and more uncertainty until the issue of who will rule is resolved. I'm afraid that Koukidan cannot get involved. We have no right to say which twin is the rightful heir and if we did involve ourselves, people in Istain may fear that Koukidan has plans to control your country."

"Yes, I understand of course," Rintaro assured Miwa, his eyes still troubled. "I know that there's nothing in this situation you can do, nor should you feel obligated to."

"Except…there is something I wish to do to help." Rintaro looked at Queen Miwa curiously, wondering what she was talking about. His eyes widened in surprise when Miwa took one of his hands and held it between her own. "Your daughter Ema is such a precious gem. I hate the thought of anything happening to her during all this uncertainty and confusion. Please, send her here, to Koukidan. I promise that the royal family will look after Ema and keep her safe."

Rintaro's mouth opened in shock. He had to take a few moments before he could speak. "Queen Miwa, Ema is my only daughter, my only child. I cannot simply send her away. She is the only family that I have."

"Don't you see that that is all the more reason to send her away?" Miwa asked. "How would you go on if something happened to Ema? I would invite you to stay in Koukidan as well, but I know how important Istain is to you, and that you could never bear to leave your home. I also know the obligation you feel as a high-ranking official to help resolve the crisis of Istain's next ruler, but there is no reason for Ema to remain in danger. Just send her here until things calm down in Istain. Once your country is peaceful again, then Ema can return home."

Rintaro still stared at Miwa in shock, his face showing part of the horror he felt at the idea of sending his daughter away. Obviously, Miwa needed to push harder.

"I'm only suggesting this for the sake of Ema. I have no daughters of my own, but I have known Ema since she was a little girl. If I had a daughter, I would want her to be much like your precious girl. And you have been such a good friend to me during your years as ambassador. This is all that I can do to be of help to you. Please, let me do this, Rintaro. For Ema and for you."

Rintaro stared at the floor, the conflict on his face clear. Miwa sighed and moved her hands away from his. His gaze jerked up to her face, afraid that he had offended her. "I know that you only offer this out of the goodness of your heart, Queen Miwa, and I promise that I do appreciate it."

Only years of practice allowed Miwa to keep the irritation off her face. Why did Rintaro have to be so stubborn? Though Miwa could admire the love Rintaro held for his daughter, Ema was of marriageable age and Rintaro needed to get used to the idea of Ema not being around. He couldn't keep her sheltered inside his estate forever.

Miwa slid closer to Rintaro and placed a hand on his leg. His eyes widened and a blush crept over his cheeks. "Ambassador Rintaro, you are an important man in Istain. That will make your daughter a target. Regardless of which brother you support for the throne, the other brother is likely to go after Ema to get back at you. Are you confident that you can keep her safe?"

Finally, Rintaro hung his head in defeat. "No," he admitted quietly and sighed heavily. "I will have Ema brought here after my return to Istain, as you have so graciously offered to care for her. I will send for her after things calm down and are safe again."

With Rintaro's gaze turned away, Miwa let a triumphant smile spread across her face, but kept her voice kind and consoling. "As a parent, I know that it can be difficult to do what is best for our children at times, but you've made the right choice, Ambassador Rintaro. Ema will be in good hands."

~.~

Eleven of the thirteen princes of Koukidan lounged around the large sitting room, waiting for their mother. She had called all of them together, sending a message to each that she had something important to tell them. Only Natsume, who was ruling his fiefdom miles away, and Subaru, who was fighting a border battle with the kingdom of Losa, were missing.

Miwa arrived shortly, a pleased smile on her face as she surveyed her sons.

"Mom!" Wataru cried, jumping to his feet and throwing his arms around her waist.

Miwa's smile gentled as she hugged her youngest song. "Hello, my Dear. Have you been good?"

"Yep! I have been," Wataru said, nodding his head earnestly. "I've been doing all my studies and my tutors say I'm doing a good job. Aso said that—"

"Would you mind telling us what was so important that you had to call us all here?" Tsubaki asked, interrupting. "I'm afraid this is far too many annoying people crowded into one place for me to tolerate for long."

"I wanted to inform you all that we're going to have a guest stay at the palace for the foreseeable future."

Silence greeted her statement as the brothers wondered what kind of guest warranted Miwa making a semi-official announcement to the princes.

"Is the guest a visiting ruler?" Ukyo asked. "If that's the case, you might not want to inform Tsubaki. Though then it's good that Kaname's here so he knows to make himself scarce."

"Don't you mean make my harem scarce?" Kaname asked mockingly, spreading his arms across the back of the couch he was sitting on. "That's your real concern isn't it? That one prince having so many women attached to him might make the kingdom look bad? Or maybe that's just your jealousy talking. I bet if you let loose a little you could get a girl or two to come to you too."

Ukyo huffed and crossed his arms, refusing to look at Kaname as his face flashed crimson.

"No, it's not a visiting ruler," Miwa said before her sons could make any more guesses or argue with each other further. "You all know of Ambassador Rintaro from Istain and all of you who bother paying attention to politics know that Istain is currently going through a crisis regarding the rightful heir to the throne now that their king is dead."

"Istain's king died?" Yusuke asked in surprise.

"Yes, Yusuke," Ukyo said in irritation, adjusting his glasses as he spoke. "You could at least involve yourself in the affairs of our country enough to know when the leader of one of our allies perishes. He's been dead for over a month."

"I bet at least half the others didn't know either," Yusuke muttered under his breath.

"Maybe," Fuuto said, "but they're not stupid enough to blurt out their ignorance in front of everyone. That's the difference between an idiot and a wise man. Thank goodness you don't involve yourself at court."

"Boys," Miwa interrupted before Yusuke could fire back an insult at his younger brother. They quieted and turned their attention back to her. "Due to the instability in Istain and my longstanding friendship with Ambassador Rintaro, I offered to house his daughter until things are once again stable in his country. As she is the daughter of a dear friend I expect all of you to interact with her and to be on your utmost behavior as hosts."

"Ema?" Yusuke asked in surprise, then turned red when all his brothers' attention turned to him. "What?" He demanded. "That's the name of Ambassador Rintaro's daughter, isn't it?"

"That's right," Miwa mused, tapping a finger to her chin. "You used to play with her back when the ambassador brought her along with him, didn't you? I'm surprised you remember her name."

"I—it's not for any reason that I remember it," Yusuke said, shoving his hands in his pockets and staring at the floor. "It just happened to remain in my mind, that's all."

"Probably the only thing that's managed to remain in there," Fuuto quipped.

"That's it!" Yusuke exclaimed, lunging at Fuuto to tackle him to the floor.

"Now, now," Hikaru said, grabbing Yusuke as he passed him and hooking his arms around Yusuke's to hold him in place. "You heard mother. She wants us all to give this girl a warm welcome and make a good impression. If you leave a mark on Fuuto's face, this girl might get the wrong idea about us."

A/N: Updates will be at least once a week.