The Revelation

Anna struggled to walk into the Kasai throne room. She had not recovered from the news of Ren's passing yet. She was pondering if this was how he had felt when he heard of her "death".

She wasn't listening to whatever King Mikihisa was asking his sons. Let them deal with the war. She just wanted to lock herself away in grief. She was alone now. She had no one left. She was far away from home which would soon be torn apart by war anyway.

Prince Yoh tapped her shoulder. Apparently, the king was directing a question to her but she wasn't responding to it. She raised her eyes to look at the monarch only to find the entire throne room staring at her with suspicion.

"Is this night gown yours?" King Mikihisa repeated his question.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The blond girl tried to compose herself before replying.

Kanna beamed at Prince Hao when she had caught his eyes. She slightly raised the clothing on her hands so he could view the embroidered 1080 beads at the hem.

"The symbol on this piece of cloth.. Do you know what it is?" the king continued.

"Yes," she answered curtly.

"Who are you, Anna?" The king inquired with a knowing look.

"Father, why are you asking her these silly questions. She is my personal maid and tutor of course." Prince Yoh interrupted.

Anna opened her mouth. The prince shook his head at the blond girl, his way of telling her to shut up. But she couldn't anymore.

"My name is Anna Kyouyama, the last princess of Kouku. I'm the only survivor of the royal family massacre."

Everyone gasped.

"You are royal blood?" Tamao walked out of her hiding place. She got curious when the guards had fetched the brothers and the blond girl as soon as they alighted from the carriage. She followed them through the throne room and hid behind one of the statues.

King Mikihisa ignored his snooping niece. "Why are you here? Are you aware of the peace treaty?" he asked.

"Yes, I am - - -"

"It's all my fault, Father! Anna didn't know that I'm one of the enemies," Prince Yoh rushed to her side. I brought her here. I should be punished and not her." He held her hand which she surprisingly took.

"But she chose to stay and hide her identity. After coming here, she is fully aware that she's in enemy territory." Prince Hao raised a valid point.

"Somebody tried to kill her, brother. She was seeking refuge," his twin tried to reason out.

"It's unfortunate that she didn't seek assistance with their closest ally. I wonder why?" Prince Hao folded his arms across his chest.

The king cleared his throat. "Any minute now the enemy troops will be by our door. Ryuu and Manta, what were they chanting when you happened to cross path with them on your way here?"

Princess Anna noticed the tall guy with a goatee and weird looking hair from across the room. If King Mikihisa hadn't said two names, she wouldn't have noticed the blond midget standing next to him.

"Give us back our princess..." Manta said as he peered at the blond girl who was staring at them in return.

"They know you're here?" Prince Yoh asked Princess Anna who looked as confused as him.

King Mikihisa beckoned Kanna and the Kouku heir to come forward. "Please extend appropriate hospitality to our guest. Dress her up like a princess should." He instructed to the palace maid. "Tamao, my dear, please be so kind to lend her one of your clothes."

The three curtsied before the king then left the throne room.

"Who else knows she's at Kasai?" the king asked his son.

"Faust..." Prince Yoh whispered. "But he doesn't know she's the Kouku princess..."

"Does he? Faust is a smart man. He could have seen the symbol on the nightgown and realized the truth. We don't know where he is right now. He could be dead somewhere or he could have been captured by enemy troops. Ryuu and Manta only found one body in the burned up cottage."

The prince lowered his head and clenched his fists. His stupidity had caused great misfortune to his friends.

"I still don't understand your story, Yoh. The only person who can attest and confirm your alibi is Faust. Until he resurfaces, you're on your own. Your recklessness had endangered your life and the lives of your friends." The king did not seem angry, just disappointed at his heir.

"But father, he had also helped out. He would stand as an accomplice and would be punished according to the peace treaty if he attested. I cannot let that happen."

"Oh, but you can get away with it brother. Our father had proven that. The peace treaty seems to be ignored in this part of the land." Prince Hao gave his father a knowing look.

"Not now, Hao." The king spotted the royal messenger running towards the throne room.

"You're Majesty, they are here! They are at the gates!"