Chapter 1

Author's Note:

Hi there! I just received this request from a friend and I've been working at it tirelessly because I've never watched Magi before up until 2 days before writing this fic. I'm using my friend's requested OC and I hope I got everyone's personalities right (Sorry if they're OOC but some of them only appear for like 5 mins and don't speak much so apologies to all characters with the misfortune of appearing in this story). I don't own Magi because Shinobu Ohtaka got there first (sad face) anyhow, I hope you enjoy because this is my second fic ever and it's the first non-one-shot I've ever written; If you don't like it, Please give tons of constructive criticism so I can figure out where I went wrong and improve the story for everyone's sake (smiles).

Start of actual Story:

"Congratulations Yaqut, it's a beautiful baby girl" Koutoku told his slave turned concubine eying the baby in his arms fondly. What I've always wanted… A half-Fanalis child… I would have preferred a son but gender does not matter as long as she becomes strong enough for me to realize my goals of unifying the world…

"What shall we name her?" looking back at his concubine, he realized that all of the midwives were swarming over her; it seems like Yaqut had issues during the delivery… Koutoku shrugged, even if she was expensive and she died, he had got what he wanted so it didn't matter to him; it was worth it.

Turning to his anxiously watching second son, he handed over his newborn daughter who the 11 year old prince nearly dropped; to be fair, even though he had only wanted to have her for her powerful lineage and had said she was a "beautiful baby girl" more out of courtesy than actually thinking that as such, he couldn't deny that she her young face was charmingly sweet and that she had a lively gleam to her striking red eyes. Running his hand over the tuft of soft red hair on the infant, he looked at Koumei who was currently cradling the girl in his arms.

"This is your new sister and her name will be Kouei… Take good care of her."

With that he sauntered off leaving his red-haired son to coddle and coo over his new sister.

~Time skip of 10 years~

Narrator's POV (3rd Person)

"Princess… I beg of you, please stay out of trouble this time…" Kouei's tutor and manservant Ryoukan pleaded as she stubbornly looked off to the side.

Sighing, the 9th Imperial princess of Kou plucked unhappily at the heavy imperial robes that she was currently required to wear, "I know I know… I'll try, I promise, but sometimes when get out of hand I just see red and next thing I know, my brain stops working then my fists start talking… And that guy from the meeting last week totally deserved it and you know it."

"It's not a question of deserving it or not! Using magic to change you tea into a snowball then throw it into the back of a guest king from another country's head is strictly forbidden! Do you understand?!" panting with his robes wrinkled and his hair ruffled where he had pulled at it, Ryoukan looked distinctly disheveled at the antics of his mistress.

Shoulders slumping slightly, Kouei looked up at her tutor with a frown "At least he never knew what hit him… he didn't even stop to think it could've been me because the 10 year old 9th Imperial princess is apparently beneath his notice and he didn't know I was a mage… But if it makes you feel better, I'll never do it again" Ryoukan's eyes lit up at this until he heard her next statement "Next time I'll grab him by the collar of his stupid robes and dump him into the pond to have a swim with the koi"

"YOUR HIGHNESS! You will do no such thing!" but before the argument could escalate, a certain military strategist prince wandered into sight.

Kouei's POV

My eyes lit up at the sight of my favorite brother. Running up to him, I leapt into the air jumping on him "MEI!" He looked up with a smile and reached up his hands catching me… And losing his balance causing us both to land on the floor with me on top.

Giggling I rested my cheek on his chest "Eheheheh~ Mei~ I caught Big brother Mei outside of the office Eheheheh~!"

Giving a gentle smile, Mei patted my head ruffling my hair "Yes… Big brother Mei is trying to take some time off work and go to the park… Just don't tell Big brother En okay?"

"Too late."

The ominous voice and the two equally ominous words echoed throughout the otherwise peaceful garden.

Slowly turning around sweat cascading in waterfalls down his comically petrified looking face, Mei came face to face with the intimidating figure of our eldest brother the 1st Imperial prince of the Kou Empire Ren Kouen – or Big brother En as I like to call him – silhouetted against the sun making him look even more terrifying than he usually does.

"Koumei…" En said in a very scary sounding voice "We are extremely close to our next dungeon conquest… May I ask why you thought it would be okay to skip out on your military planning…?"

"Oh! My brother and my king… I was… just looking for my pen!"

"Oh? Then why did you tell Kouei that you were going to the park then warn her not to tell me?" En stepped closer so we could see his unimpressed expression as he crossed his arms "Were you going to slack off and neglect your duties again?"

"Uhmm…" Mei tried to back off slowly but he didn't get very far before En grabbed his wrist preventing him from escaping.

"You're coming back with me and you'll plan those military tactics under my watchful eye; I'm adding an extra hour to make up for the lost time; and be grateful it's not more." Poor Mei looked like he was about to start crying as he was slowly dragged away by En. His eyes found mine as he gave me a pleading look begging me to free him from his horrific fate. Right! Ren Kouei 9th Imperial Princess of the Kou Empire to the rescue!

Leaping into action, I jumped in front of a surprised En blocking his way before I used the strength I inherited from my Fanalis lineage to dramatically wrench Koumei from his grip. Standing between them I gave him my best scowl "No! You're not allowed to take Mei away because he promised to take me to the park to feed pigeons today!"

Blinking slightly in surprise, En knelt down to my height and said as patiently as he could "Be that as it may Kouei, but Big brother Mei has a very important job that he has to do for Big brother En so he is busy and can't take you to the park. He has been slacking off and not doing his work so now he has to take time out of his spare time to finish doing it all." At this he gave Mei a dirty glare making him flinch.

Puffing out my cheeks, I reached up and grabbed En's surprised face making him look at me again "No! He promised to spend time with me! And I know what you're really after; you just want another one of those Djinn thingies!" I accused gesturing at his metal vessels to prove my point "You don't even care if Mei gets overworked because you're just greedy for knowledge and power!"

Not giving him any time to recover from my onslaught, I drove my index finger into his collar bone at each of my insults "BADDIE! MEANIE! BULLY! SLAVE-DRIVER! STUPID! DUMMY! You aren't even human! You don't deserve to be a prince! YOU DESERVE TO BE FLUSHED DOWN A TOILET!" Big brother En blinked when I was finished still trying to process my rant.

Koumei's POV

I had to chuckle at the look on my brother and my king's face. He look positively stupefied by the barrage of childish insults that Kouei just hurled at him and if it had been in any other situation, I might have laughed out loud but I opted to cover my smile with my fan this time.

My brother and my king slowly stood up and turned around to leave "I'll let you off this time Koumei… But if I catch you slacking again, I will start adding those extra hours" he turned back to glare over his shoulder "Understand?"

Fighting down a victorious cheer with a matching victory dance, I bowed my head so my long bangs would hide my smirk "Yes my brother and my king."

After he walked away, Kouei tugged on my sleeve grinning happily as I smiled down at her.

"Hey Mei! Let's go to the park and feed pigeons!"

"Hai, hai." I smiled gently crouching down so that she could climb onto my back to carry her to the park.

Kouen's POV

I walked along the corridors in the palace barely acknowledging the servants who bowed as I walked past my mind on something else.

That Koumei… Using our youngest sister as a shield to get out of doing work… Damn it, smart move… Just what I would expect from the Kou Empire's most talented tactician… But Kouei… She's grown up to be quite the little firecracker exceeding even my expectations…

Unable to keep my amusement bottled up any longer, I lifted my hand to my chin as I started chuckling quietly "Ufufufufufu~"

"Ummm… Lord Kouen?" Hakuei asked tentatively surrounded by her handmaidens and her younger brother Hakuryuu "Are you… alright…?"

I turned around to smirk at her with a gleam in my eye "…When I tried to drag Koumei back to work, Kouei called me a "baddie" and a "bully" and told me I "deserved to be flushed down a toilet"." I explained before going back to chuckling at the memory.

Hakuei's POV

"Oh… I see…" I nodded understandingly knowing very well of Lord Kouen's unrequited doting love for his youngest sister. I smiled to myself remembering the day just last year when Lord Kouen arrived home after conquering his 3rd dungeon and receiving his 3rd Djinn Phenex. All of our siblings, especially our sisters clamored around him praising him except for Kouei who stood off to the side merely calling him a "tyrannical and greedy man" which he was slightly put out about but didn't think too much on merely assuming at the time that she just didn't care for Djinns very much.

Yet 2 weeks later, he was proven wrong when Lord Koumei came home after successfully securing his 1st Djinn Dantalion and Kouei was all over him hugging him and showering him with kisses and praise much to the 2nd prince's delight and she even requested to become part of his household though he only shook his head ruffling her hair and telling her she was strong enough to obtain her own Djinn so she had no reason to bind herself to him.

Lord Kouen had showed no outward sign of his feelings towards this situation so everyone had assumed that he was fine, but when I went to the sword training site to improve my skills, I saw Lord Kouen hacking away at a practice dummy completely spearing it through before splitting it in half with one almighty hack. Feeling slightly uneasy at the mountain of practice dummies in a similar state behind him, I bade a hasty retreat and left him to cool off alone.

My guess is he likes any attention that Kouei gives him as long as she's more focused on him than Koumei at the moment. Chuckling slightly, I beckoned to my handmaidens and younger brother to follow me and leave Lord Kouen alone.

Kouei's POV

"Hey Mei! Look! That pigeon has a chick!" I giggled pointing and swinging my legs as I sat on my favorite big brother's lap. Following my finger, he too spotted the young bird and smiled throwing a small piece of bread to the baby's mother. "So it has…" pausing to ruffle my hair, he gave me a gentle smile "I never got to say thank you for saving me from an angry Big brother En so… Thank you Kouei."

Snuggling back into his chest I grinned "It's no problem at all Mei! Big Brother En is a meanie for overworking you and I know you get real tired coz you sleep real late and you fall asleep during the day… And if that happens, who would take me out to feed pigeons?" Pausing, I shook my head trying to neaten my hair "…And you're getting breadcrumbs in my hair." I felt Mei's ribcage vibrate as he laughed …No… They were more like chuckles… Softer… Quieter…

I frowned slightly when I felt his all-too-prominent ribs digging into my back despite his thick clothes. He's not getting nearly enough to eat nor enough sleep… I have to get Big Brother En to increase his breaks… Just as I thought this, I felt Mei pick me up before standing up and settling me onto his back "Come on Kouei… If we don't start going home now, we won't be in time for the meeting with the foreign king and Big Brother En will throw a fit."

Snuggling into his back, I was painfully aware that his shoulders weren't as broad as a healthy male of his age's should be. Remembering the request I planned to make of Big Brother En, I managed to wave the thought away for now 'Okay… But promise me we'll do this again soon?" I asked hopefully.

Turning around to give me his gentle smile, he started walking home "Of course…"

~Time skip to the arrival of the King~

Kouei's POV

"…And as of this month, Nakano has recorded a 15% decrease in homelessness…" the advisor of the foreign king was already starting to bore me flashing useless statistics in our faces while I sat next to Mei swinging my legs wishing for it all to end soon. Standing behind me, Ryoukan glanced at me nervously the look in his eyes begging me not to lose my patience.

Unlike Mei who was also slouching trying not to look bored out of his mind while he took notes, Big Brother En had perfect posture and maintained a perfect poker face – Even our father who was sitting between Mei and Big Brother En was looking somewhat annoyed at how slow the proceedings were going. None of our other siblings were here because they didn't need to be – actually, I didn't need to be here either, but I insisted on coming to keep Mei company as usual.

For some reason I could never understand, our father not only allowed me to stick around during the meetings but actually approved of and encouraged it; even more so after I had attacked the foreign king from the last meeting. At the time I had been certain that I would get in trouble, but he merely congratulated me for not getting caught and told me that he'd been wanting to do it himself for a while now. I remember being amazed but before I could probe any further he had left; maybe there was more to my father than I had first thought…

Snapping myself out of my thoughts, I shifted for what felt like the 100th time that meeting. Mei looked at me sympathetically then hoisted me out of my seat onto his lap so I could look at the papers he was scribbling on. They made absolutely no sense but before I could tell him, he started writing on a new sheet of paper before slipping it in front of me.

Kouei, I know you're tired, but try to endure it for the sake of our country

Grinning, I took the extra pen he offered me and started writing back.

I couldn't care less about the stuff he's saying but I wish they had the decency to cut it short… And besides, he's boring enough to make me stop caring about our country; I'll stay put but only for Mei.

I felt him smile while he read my latest message and he reached over to write again – accidentally catching the inkpot with his long sleeve and knocking it over. SPLAT! The airborne ink flew forward splattering all over the foreign king and his talkative advisor who – for the first time since he set foot in our country – stopped talking.

Glaring at Mei like a wild beast, he shook his sleeves out wiping what little ink he could from his face "Clearly you need to fire this advisor of yours and hire a new one; he doesn't even look like he groomed properly despite knowing that he'd be meeting with foreign royalty."

Tightening my grip on Mei's arm, I managed to talk in a calm though strained voice "Uncle, I'm afraid you're mistaken. This man is not a mere advisor; he is the 2nd Imperial Prince of the Kou Empire; Ren Koumei."

…

After an awkward pause, the pompous advisor froze glancing between Mei and myself, eyes flickering occasionally to my father and Big Brother En. "What? But… Surely that cannot be…?" Hearing no words on the contrary from anyone, he bristled and turned on me in an effort to cover his embarrassment. "I… I will not be spoken to in such a way by a mere child of a concubine!"

Snap.

I felt the eyes of all of my relatives and caretaker on my back but I ignored them, blood pounding in my ears. "I may be a child Uncle, but I assure you I am no concubine…" Getting up slowly, I went to stand next to Ryoukan looking at him pointedly. Realizing I wanted him to announce me, he nearly stumbled bowing quickly at me before turning to the advisor and his king "H-hai! Erm… This young lady here is… the 9th Imperial princess of the Kou Empire; Ren Kouei!" I noted in satisfaction that the poor advisor nearly fainted dropping his notepad as he cowered. I almost felt sorry for him… Almost.

"B-but…" seeing the look on his king's face, he swallowed thickly and bowed first to Koumei then to me "Forgive me your highnesses, I was unaware… I must confess that at first glance, you did not strike me as potential candidates for royalty…" Koumei nodded silently accepting the apology but I couldn't resist getting back at him a little.

Giving my most innocent child-like smile, I settled back into Koumei's lap waving my hand as if dismissing his worries "That's alright Uncle, coz at first glance, you didn't strike me as a potential candidate for the human race."

I heard Ryoukan gasp from behind me and Koumei's fingers twitch slightly in surprise. Glancing over at Big Brother En, I saw that his face was as expressionless as ever but my practiced eye caught a gleam of mirth in his eyes and a slight curling of his lips. The reaction that surprised me the most however was my father throwing his head back and laughing out loud.

"Well that's just grand isn't it…" traces of a smile still on his face, my father addressed the foreign king "Unfortunately at this time, my country has no intention of forming an alliance with your right now." The other king nodded gloomily looking like he had expected this all along "Well, I'll organize an escort to see you over the border then, until next time." With that, my father stood up and exited the room, robes billowing behind him, the other king and his advisor soon following in suit.

"Princess! You… That…" Ryoukan spluttered out trying to find words while I smirked at him "That was what, Ryoukan?" Grinding his teeth in frustration, he tore at his hair "That was exactly what I warned you not to do! You… Why couldn't you have stood down?!"

My eyes darkened at that as my lips twitched into a frown "I didn't mind so much what he said about me, but he was treating Mei like he was trash!" leaning back further into Mei's chest I continued frowning at Ryoukan chin lifted in a silent challenge "He seemed like he was used to walking all over people and I saw no reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier."

"…I'm happy to hear you did that all for me but… I don't want you to get in trouble" Mei smiled wrapping his arms around me before resting his chin or cheek – I couldn't tell – on my head "Big Brother Mei can defend himself you know?" I snorted at that "No, I disagree Mei… You wouldn't lift a finger to defend yourself even if he was insulting you a lot worse; and I know that for a fact because of the last meeting we were in… Still, that's part of Mei and you're my favorite brother; if you changed, that would make me really sad coz I love Mei the way he is" I closed my eyes leaning back into his chest.

Koumei's POV

Hearing that, I froze for an instant not being able to help stupid grin of happiness that spread over my face before I resumed combing my fingers through her hair. I could still remember when she was born; I was the first one to hold her right after father and the midwife who delivered her. Back then, she had just a tuft of red hair but now it's grown out quite long… When I asked her why, she told me that she wanted to copy me by having long hair as well. Grinning at the memories, I almost failed to notice a murderous aura coming from my left.

Cautiously, I turned my head only to be confronted with a practically seething Entei. Gulping, I held onto Kouei even tighter hoping that if I avoided being out of her company, he wouldn't catch me alone and yell at me; the only hope I had to cling to was that I knew he certainly wouldn't dare to raise his voice in her presence in fear of scaring her. He must be miffed that Kouei called me her favorite brother…

Kouei's POV

Feeling Mei tense up, I looked up at him catching the uneasy expression on his face. Tilting my head slightly, I pulled his sleeve to get his attention "Hey Mei! Let's go back to the park and feed the pigeons!" Looking down to smile at me, Mei opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, Big Brother En cut him off.

"I'm sorry Kouei, but it appears that Big Brother Mei has been neglecting his duties again and we are really behind schedule for our next dungeon conquest." At these words, all the color drained from Mei's face and I felt him start to shiver despite the warm temperature in the room "My brother and my king…" He started protesting weakly, but Big Brother En grabbed him by his wrist ready to drag him off "No excuses; I think I've been lenient enough." Before I could protest on Mei's behalf, the two had disappeared, towed off to some mysterious location by my eldest brother.

"…!" I grinded my teeth together running my hands through my hair in frustration while Ryoukan crouched down next to me patting me on the head "There there princess… It's time for your lessons anyway…" Still shaking my head in exasperation, I followed my caretaker and mentor as he led me to the palace training grounds.

~Smallish time skip to 2 hours later~

Kouei's POV

Ducking, dodging and weaving around his blows, I slipped past my fighting teacher's guard and landed a blow on his face bashing in his nose with a sickening crunch. Stepping back, I waited for him to get back up to see if he was alright. Sitting up slowly, he touched his nose wincing slightly when his hand came away covered in blood "I yield, princess; dare I say that's one mighty good arm you've got there." The former general, Lord Ourei smiled through his attempts to stem the bleeding from his nose.

Coming out of my fighting stance, I relaxed my posture grinning as I wiped away some of the sweat on my face "That was a good fight; Marvelous as always princess!' Ryoukan had come up to me offering me a towel "Come, after you take a shower, there is tea and light snacks waiting for you inside – Mistress Lea is busy so your magic and magoi manipulation classes are cancelled today." Absently wrapping the towel around my neck, I followed my caretaker back inside letting the palace maids wash me.

~Short time skip after shower~

Kouei's POV

"It all looks so good!" my eyes lit up in pleasure as I stared at the assortment of sweet delicacies littering the table "Thanks for everything as always, Ryoukan…" my mentor smiled patting my head "It's my pleasure; you deserved a treat after your training today princess… although remember! Don't breathe a word of this to Lord Kouen alright?"

"Hai~~~" I picked up my fork digging into the first dessert which happened to be an egg tart "It's delicious" I said with my mouth full. Ignoring the breach in my manners, Lord Ourei picked up his cup toasting at me "To the birth of the strongest warrior princess I've ever had the pleasure of teaching" Grinning, I returned the gesture before drinking "And to my fine instructors."

"Oh! Even the tea is good! He must be tired so I should take some of this up to Mei! Could I have a pot of this tea, a tray of these sweets and some smoked squid?" I asked the maid that served us. Bowing, she went to collect the items that I requested "As you wish milady."

I sat around chatting idly until the maid returned and I took the items she proffered bidding them good bye before heading off to where I remembered Mei's office to be.

Standing in front of the door to his room, I knocked once before opening the door with a close-eyed smile "Hey Mei! The maids prepared some yummy tea and sweets and I know you're probably really tired so I wanted you to try some!"

"…Kouei?"…? That wasn't Mei's voice! That voice is…! Opening my eyes, I saw Big Brother En leisurely reading a book while poor Mei looked ready to pass out from working on all of the scrolls covering the desk I front of him. He perked up when he saw me at the door holding food.

Koumei's POV

Planning strategy after strategy under my brother and king's watchful eye, I was getting increasingly bored and tired; I didn't even know how much time had passed anymore, all that I knew was that between 15 to 20 minutes into it, I had started questioning the meaning of life and why I was still alive.

But then suddenly, while looking at a map of the terrain surrounding the dungeon Judar had raised – I was beginning to think that he had raised it just to give me more work and spite me – I heard someone call my name. Looking up to the direction that the voice had come from, I saw… an angel…

Kouei's POV

I blinked at the sight of Big Brother En …Okay I was not expecting him to be here… looking down at the things I had brought, I frowned slightly …I only brought 2 cups… shrugging it off, I set one cup in front of each of my brothers pouring out tea for both of them trying to ignore Big Brother En's stare. Smiling gently at me, Mei's eyes lit up when I set his favorite smoked squid in front of him. Seeing him pat his lap, I accepted his invitation and slid into his lap pulling out one of the desserts I had brought along "Thank you Kouei... you're always so good to me…" he murmured sipping at his tea.

Frowning at his sleepy tone which was even sleepier than usual, I reached up and brushed his hair with my fingers. It was really greasy… Yuck… Pulling my hand away, I grabbed his face surprising him but I really needed to make sure I had his attention "Mei! You should go take a bath; your hair's super greasy! Have a nice, long, relaxing bath… In fact, lean forward!" Giving a tired and confused expression, Mei did as he was told, chest pressing against the cool mahogany table.

Getting up on the chair behind him, I started groping along his shoulders and back clicking my tongue in disapproval "As I thought, your muscles are way too tense and sore… No matter, just lie still."

"What are you…? Ooh~" Mei gave a very pleased moan as I started massaging his tense muscles. I brushed his long hair out of the way gently pushing him down even further to give me better access "You need a nice rest Mei" I frowned at how far his physical state had deteriorated "You should definitely get a bath… As soon as possible… Get a maid to help you wash your hair and rub oils into your back after they massage it – No excuses, you need this!" I fussed like a mother hen.

"Mmmh~! Can't you do it instead?" Mei looked over his shoulder with an expression like a kicked puppy "Your fingers are magical~ we can have a bath together and we can wash each other's backs just like old times" Not having the heart to tell him I'd already had a bath today, I stopped massaging and got off the chair tugging at his sleeve grinning "Good idea! Come on Mei!" Smiling, Mei got to his feet and left the room to go the bathhouse pulled along after me "Hai Hai."

Kouen's POV

I blinked slowly, trying to process everything that just happened …So she even brings him his snacks, tea and his favorite food while he's working… Exactly what did Koumei do to achieve this level of favoritism from Kouei? Not only that, but… she massages him when he's tired… and they take baths together… Shaking my head, I decided to let it go this time, mind drifting off elsewhere.

~At the bath house~

Kouei's POV

"Mei~ I think I just used up half the bottle of shampoo trying to get rid of all the dirt and grease in your hair!" I whined washing his hair as he lay in my lap "And your hair's really dry as well… Honestly… Take better care of yourself…"

I squirted some of the conditioner out of the bottle before shrugging and unscrewing the whole cap, dumping all of the contents onto his hair "Stay still or some of it might get into your eyes" I warned massaging the conditioner through his hair before washing it clean "Yes mother" he smiled closing his eyes contentedly.

"Alright… Your hair's done, now turn around so I can use these" I held up the bottles of scented oils that Mei had picked out after briefly sniffing them. Turning around obediently, Mei looked over his shoulder expectantly waiting for me to "work my magic" as he called it "I could stay here forever…" he murmured blissfully once I got started.

~Time skip~

Kouei's POV

After escorting Mei back to his room, I practically shoved him into his bed insisting that he get the nice rest that he deserved. He had protested weakly at first, but after being deprived of sleep for so many nights in a row, he was weakened to the point where he was in no condition to put up even a semi-decent fight of strength and he went unconscious almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

"Good night Mei…" I murmured smoothing his bangs back after pulling it out of its usual ponytail "Sweet dreams" kissing him on the forehead, I left to go back to a certain place…

…

Slipping silently into Mei's study, I held up the candle in my hand, spotting the documents covering his desk almost instantly. Grinning, I immediately dashed towards them sliding into his chair and picking up his pen.

"If I do all of this, then Big Brother En will be happy coz the work is done… Mei will be happy coz he'll have more free time… and I'll be happy coz Mei can come to feed pigeons with me in his free time!" I cheered as loudly as I dared not wanting to wake anyone up at this ungodly hour. "Now… this says…" I squinted at the map then the figures on the scroll "…The funds the treasurer has allowed for this mission is… 50'000 huang…? That's plenty, so what's the problem?" I frowned scanning through the page trying to identify the problem which didn't take very long to find.

"… "request from Judar: 1000 cavalry – coz it'd be kinda cool"…?" I sweatdropped at the ludicrous request by the childish Magi "What kind of (censored) is this?! And he's even 4 years older than me…" I growled savagely inking a line through the offending sentence, crossing off his request without a second thought "Just 200 is plenty… along with Mei and Big Brother En as the leaders… travel light and fast; 3 days to get there and allowing for a day to be spent in the dungeon… plus 3 days to get back, that's a week's worth of supplies for 200 men and horses… no… the horses can eat grass and stuff…" I muttered to myself picking up Mei's abacus.

"A day's worth of rations is about 15 huang and water would be around 3 huang so 18 huang in total give or take… which means if you round it up to 20 a week's worth is 140 huang, and for 200 men, that's 28000 huang… if you use pre-existing soldiers, there'll be no need to pay to arm them, so… bringing along spares and maintenance equipment… 2000 huang should be plenty right? 30000 huang… and that leaves 20000 huang in case Mei wants to make any final adjustments… Go me!" I punched my fists into the air triumphantly "I could go at this all night and be done in no time!"

"Yes… I must applaud you that was rather well done." That voice! Whipping my head around, I saw a certain older brother of mine sitting in a chair watching me "M-My brother and my king…" I addressed him respectfully before I swallowed nervously not meeting his eye. This is awkward… I've never been alone with him before and he seems a lot scarier when Mei isn't here with me… Maybe if I act like Mei, he'll leave me alone like he leaves Mei alone…

"Kouei, did you hear me? I asked you a question." Noticing that his voice was much closer now, I swallowed slightly before glancing off to the side not meeting his gaze "Yes my brother and my king?" I heard a sigh before I felt fingers under my chin turning my head towards him. I gulped at his crimson eyes boring into mine "Kouei… What happened to calling me "Big Brother En"? Are you that nervous around me? Is that why you'd rather go running off to Koumei?"

"My lord… you are mistaken… Mei is my brother and he's always treated me like a sister but…" looking away from him the best as I could while his hand was still grasping my face I shook nervously "But… you are my king and I am only your vassal… the only reason why I'm not as uncomfortable around Mei is because he has no interest in being a king; he only wants to serve you and… I am the same so…" trying to break free of his grip as quickly as I could without causing offence, I moved away from his hand.

Watching my every movement, he let me shy away from his touch, but just as I was about to edge away and return to working, he grabbed my wrist pulling me into his chest "Lies…" he murmured softly "Tell me, what is it that truly makes you fear me? It's not reverence… Is it perhaps the fact that I seem greedy enough for knowledge and power that I'd do anything to get my hands on either?" feeling me stiffen in his arms, he pulled back with a conflicted look in his eyes.

"…I see… Is that so…?" Giving up, I asked the one question that had been eating away at me for the past 10 years of my life "…Big Brother En…?" his lips twitched upwards into a small smile as he waited for me to go on "If… If you could find out all you want about everything all at once by sacrificing Mei, Kouha, Kougyoku, Hakuei and me… would you do it…?" I avoided his gaze, not wanting to see his reaction.

Kouen's POV

I stiffened at her question; that was the last thing I'd been expecting her to ask and it made me sick to the bottom of my stomach. Looking down at her as she buried her face into my chest wrapping her arms around my waist, I felt the dampness from her tears soak into my robes "…Is that… What you think I'd do…? What you think of me…?" I asked trying not to let any of my troubled emotions into my voice "…Do you think I'm that much of a monster…?"

Kouei's POV

I felt Big Brother En pat my head before pulling back so he could kneel down to my eye level cupping my cheeks to make sure he had my undivided attention "Kouei… I'm curious about this world and I would do many things to achieve my goals… but believe me when I say I would never sacrifice you or the others…"

Caressing my cheek, his eyes softened making him look much kinder "I love you Kouei, I know I haven't been as good of an older brother Koumei or even Kouha, but know that I wouldn't ever use you just to make ends meet." Ruffling my hair once more, he made to get back up to his full height, but before he could stand, I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck squeezing "…I love you too Big Brother En…" I felt him pick me up and carry me to Koumei's desk, seating me in his lap.

"Kouei, there's nothing wrong with wanting to lighten Koumei's workload, but he's the finest tactician in this country so his strategies and battle plans are second to none so his work is very important…" Puffing out my cheeks indignantly, I turned sharply to glare at my eldest brother "Are you saying my strategies suck?! But Mei taught me himself- MMPH!"

"Shhh…" Big Brother En had one hand over my mouth silencing me bringing the index finger of his free hand up to his lips in a shushing gesture "You'll wake up everyone else, and I'm not saying your strategy is bad… Only that you forgot to take into account what would happen if such a small force were to encounter an enemy army." 200 men against a 5000 man strong army from the Leim Empire… It would be a blood bath… I gulped at the image my mind managed to conjure.

Cradling me gently to stop shivers I didn't even know started, Big Brother En slid the document I was writing on in front of me so I could see it "Rather than focusing purely on speed or strength, you should get a balance between the two; 500 men or even 400 at the very least" dipping the pen in the inkpot, he started writing "Also, you forgot that we need to reward the soldiers for their efforts or no one will want to volunteer so that will cost a lot more money as well.'

Frowning, I leaned back into his chest "If that's the case, aren't the funds for this mission kind of too low to make this work?" I asked absently flicking at Mei's abacus. Lips twitching slightly, Big Brother En looked up from his work setting his pen down "And that's why Koumei's job is so important… It's his job to plan the best strategy he can with the funds he gets given."

"Hunh~" I looked up from the abacus to glare at him accusingly "You're not giving him much to work with and you're making him work his butt off too… he hasn't even got time to eat and sleep properly… More funds and more rest would be nice for Mei…" Blinking slightly at my complaints, Big Brother En stared blankly at me for a few moments before recovering "…Very well, I will arrange for Koumei to have additional break times… but as for funds, you will have to take that up to the treasurers"

Smiling at the fact that he was at least willing to make things easier for Mei, I threw my arms around his neck "…Hey Big brother En…Thanks Eheheheh~" Thinking of a devious idea, I gave a close eyed smile "Say… Treasure is very valuable and can be sold for a lot right…?" I asked as innocently as I could.

Kouen' POV

I frowned suspiciously "…I suppose…" I said cautiously eying my 10 year old sister for any signs of what she might be up to "…May I ask why…?"

Kouei's POV

"Oh it's nothing… I just thought of a good way to make lots of money!" I grinned at Big Brother En's dumbfounded expression.

"Kouei, What are you-?!"

"Nothing! Good night!" I dashed off before he could stop me and question my motives. Sorry Big Brother En… But this is a secret~ I just need to go see someone… Running past the kitchens I picked up some peaches to appease the person I was going to visit who would not doubt be beyond pissed at my sudden visit. Stopping abruptly in front of my destination, I gave 3 knocks before standing back expectantly waiting for the resident to open the door.

"Who is it this goddamn late?!" an irritable voice spoke up followed by the creaking of someone getting out of a bed "You better have a good reason or I will freeze you to death after I give you frostbite!"

~End of Chapter 1~

Apologies for any errors or anything you didn't like and please tell me in reviews what you didn't like/ what can be improved! xD

I'll keep updating depending on how much love I get :D