Aoi POV

These past days I feel as if everything is happening so fast. Starting from Arzen getting attacked, Kii and Angela disappearance, Lexy-san who was still on a secret mission... He would be devasted when he finds out that Arzen was hurt and Kii was kidnapped on his absence.

It was small luck that Uncle Raselle gave us the stone that time, with that we can contact him immediately for help, but the time for his arrival was a bit late. By then, Kii was already disappeared. Uncle said that he had a suspicion about what spell was used on Arzen, but something is bugging him because the effect is not supposed to make him sleep for long.

Uncle explained that the trace of the magic showed him that the spell was a type of healing magic that normally used to someone who was under influence of a dark spell. It was not purification magic, it was more like to remind the person about their dream and desire, about home and love, about their longing. So, it shouldn't make Arzen like this.

We all know what is Arzen dream, desire, longing, love and home. He already has it all, normally it shouldn't even affect him. Well, except if there is actually something else that we don't know about Arzen.

His explanation makes me remember my conversation with Arzen at The Ethervizh. This Arzen is someone else before he is Arzen. Perhaps, there was something else that he wants from his past life?

Speaking of it, I still haven't asked Kii about this Portgas D Ace person. Who was he really? I only know that he was a pirate. What else? What was his dream? Did he have a lover in past life too? Did he still love her (if he has)? What about his family? Wait, maybe he even had a wife and children there? Maybe his desire was to be with them again? Then, how about Kii? Did he love them more than Kii?

Holy Ether! How old was he when he died? If he was an adult then, is that meant that he is really, really old now?

No, no, no, what am I talking about at a time like this? It's not the time to think about something meaningless like this. I should have thinking about how to wake him up and how to find Kii. It's more important.

Well, that was what I think. We work hard to wake him up unsuccessfully. We tried everything we can think of without result. Days after days we live in worry about him and Kii. Then, some hope shines on us when we finally able to found Kii's trace. Arzen, that shitty Prince, after we spend our best effort to wake him up just woke up by himself like it was nothing.

That guy is really weird. Somehow it makes me feel complicated. I was glad that he was fine and finally wake up. His body and mind are fine. He didn't lose any strength. The side effect is only his magic who he seems to have a hard time to control because it is stronger than before.

Yeah, I was glad. Yet, somehow I had this urge to shake him up and told him to 'give back my worry for you from before'.

What the hell? He seems okay. We were worried about him for nothing. I can tell that Arren Nii-sama feels the same as me.

Looking at Arzen as we prepared to teleport, I can't help but smile. As irritated as I'm at him, 'Good job coming back to us, Arzen, you idiot prince!' that sentence still come to my mind.

I'm really glad he is back.

The situation escalates quickly as we arrived. As I thought, we were able to trace Kii because she was escaped the kidnapper. That's my girl, good job Kii!

We watch stunned as Kii was blasted by the enemy. I froze for a second before I was able to get hold of myself again. It's not the time to recall the past. Kii is here. I have to protect her.

I saw Arzen got to her, so I take care of the other enemies around us. I trust Arzen. He will protect her as well as I do.

Looking at them embracing like that make me feel proud of my own decision. I know I did the right thing. Kii must be so worried about him. She was like that, even when herself is in danger, she will always care about her loved one more.

I'm glad that they are together again.

"Aoi-Nii" Kii whispers as she noticed me coming closer to them.

I opened my arms. She comes to me readily. "I'm glad you're okay," I told her as I embrace her tightly.

Ether-sama, thank you for taking care of my sister.

We decided to take a rest at the elven tribe's territory before we teleport back. Kii is tired and injured, so is Angela. Besides, Kii said she wants to help the kids to find their guardian first before we get back. As expected of her.

Arzen... Well, what else new? He sticks to her like a leech. Kii too, she seems to worry that he will disappear if she let go of him. They're really similar, aren't they?

I left them alone to help Uncle Raselle and Ben who were helping to heal the demon guy name Yulan. The elven girls are with their own tribes. The kids from before sitting nervously in the corner.

"Hi..." I greet them as gently as I can to ease their nervousness.

They look at each other and look back at me. I keep my smile to them. "Hi..." they whispered.

"What is your name?" I asked.

"I'm Polly and this is Ben," The girl said.

"I'm Aoi. Nice to meet you!" I smile again.

"Nice to meet you too," they said in unison.

"You guys get along well, huh?" I said.

They smile at each other. Well, how cute!

"Ben?" said a voice behind me. "Well, I'm also Ben. Nice, huh? Ben meets Ben! And hello to you, Polly-chan, my name is also Ben." Ben said with a smile.

"You don't hate me?" Little Ben asked softly.

"Why would we hate you?" I asked.

"I'm a demon," he said.

"Human, demons, beastmen and elven are same. We live in the same world. We believe in the same God. I don't think we have reasons to hate you, don't you think too?" I turn to Ben.

"Precisely. Do you hate us? The one that kidnapped you were human too after all?" Ben asked.

"I used to. The human was the one who has been kidnapped us, demons, separated us from our family. Took our freedom and make us a slave to be abused by them. That was what I always thought about human. My master said not all human are like them. It's hard to believe, but then I meet Kii Nee-chan who is really nice, and the uncle there is also nice, they even healing me and Yulan Nii-chan. He also said that he is a friend of Polly-chan's tribe. I don't hate human anymore. I think" He said shyly.

"I'm glad," I said. This child is really strong and smart. He has a hard life, abused by a human, yet he was still able to trust us. "You're really a brave kid, Ben-kun!" I smile at him. Polly-chan nods along with me.

He ducked his head shyly. "I'm not..." he trailed.

"You are. We Bens are Braves and hard working men. Be proud of it!" Ben adds, patting his head.

"Thank you" he whispered.

Uncle Raselle and Ben then taking them to their room to rest. They have been through a lot, they need a good rest.

I look at Yulan who have been glancing at me from the beginning.

"Do you need something?" I asked.

"Ah, sorry. You just look like Kii-chan a lot, so I was wondering if you're her relative" He said, scratching his head.

I smile. "Yup. I'm her big brother. Kii is my twin sister. Thank you for looking after her" I bow at him.

"Nah, Kii-chan is also helping us. There is nothing to thank us for" Yulan answered.

"How did you get caught if I may ask? You seem to be a good fighter. I'm sorry if my question offends you" I add quickly, as I take a seat near him.

He flips his hand in an 'I'm not offended' way. "I was careless. A bunch of men were asking for my help, saying that their family were in danger. It was the first time human asking for my help, so I was too happy that I'm being careless. I let my guard down and was caught by the people I was trying to help. Kinda pathetic, yeah?" He laughs without humour.

"It's not pathetic," I said. "I never meet demons before. I read about your race in books. It mostly was written that your race has violent natures and untrustworthy. But after meeting you and Ben-kun, I don't think it's true. You're a nice bunch, aren't you?" I smile.

He laughs back at me. "I'm sure it is only you that thinks like that. Human mostly thinks of us as evils things that need to be terminated" he sighs.

"Then how about we make an alliance? Your Kingdom and Ours? How about it?" Arzen's voice said.

I sigh as I turn to him and Kii who just turn up at the door. "Arzen... You can't just decide it by yourself. Please don't make Yulan-san feels bothered" I tell him as Kii giggles beside him.

"Well, Crown Princes are allowed to decide this kind of thing, you know that Aoi-chan!" he points at me.

Honestly, this stupid Arzen... "Don't call me, Aoi-chan! And even if you're a crown prince, please think about Yulan-san side too. It's still not right to make him feel bothered." I tried to tell him. Yulan-san looking back and forth between us.

"Nah, don't worry about it, Aoi-chan. I'm sure Yulan is also on the same page as me, right?" he asked Yulan-san.

"As I said. Who is this Aoi-chan, you idiot Prince? And how the hell you can be sure of that?" I asked.

"Aoi-nii, calm down!" Kii said as I start to shake him up.

"You're the crown prince of The Etherheinz Kingdom," Yulan-san said.

"Yup. I'm Ace. Nice to meet you!" Arzen said, shaking Yulan-san hand, face full of smile. "Woah, those horns are real? Cool!" he adds.

I grab his back collar and force him to bow too at Yulan-san. "Please, forgive his rude attitude. We're aware our crown prince is stupid. I assure you that not all our prince are stupid. You will find the other one much more pleasant than this one" I said as I knock Arzen on the head.

"Hey! There is only Nii-sama beside me. You're basically saying that Nii-sama is much better than me!" Arzen accused.

"I didn't say that!" I said haughtily.

"Oh?" he prompts.

"I'm just stating a fact" I grin.

"Kii... Aoi is being mean to me!" He whines.

"Hey! Don't bring Kii into this!" I complained.

"Oh dear," Kii said, patting his head as Arzen buried himself on her neck.

That is so sly, Arzen!

Yulan-san who was still looking at us with confusion finally laugh. "You're not what I expected," he said to Arzen.

Arzen raised his brow in question. He takes a seat beside Yulan-san, bringing Kii with him.

"I'm glad that you're okay, Kii-chan" Yulan-san smiles at Kii.

"Uh-uh. My uncle is a good healer, and Ace-kun and Aoi-nii are here. Of course, I'm okay in no time." Kii smile back.

"Kii, don't cheat in front of me!" Arzen whines.

I snort while Kii giggles at him. Yulan-san looks as if he was about to argue for a moment before he also laughs.

"Possessive much, huh?" Yulan-san commented.

"He is" I agree.

"What?" Arzen said. "Yulan is cool and attractive. He has black hair. His body has more muscle than mine. Kii likes this kind of guy. He is basically Kii's type. How can I'm not getting jealous?" He grumbles.

"Ace-kun! I don't have a type. I like it because it is Ace-kun or something like that" Kii said with a red face.

"I'm a demon," Yulan said.

"So? There is no rule that demons cannot be cooler than human." Arzen said again while I messaging my head.

"I see." Yulan-san smiles. "About that alliance, I think it is a good idea. Are you sure your side will be okay with it?" He adds.

"Of course!" Arzen said. "King Father will be pleased. He and Nii-sama are really curious about demons, you know. We are planning to send a letter to your Kingdom to talk about an alliance, to begin with. It was delayed because a lot of things happened, I guess" Arzen explain.

I look at Yulan-san in confusion. Yes, I know about this plan for the alliance. We are indeed planning to send them a letter. Why did Arzen telling this to Yulan-san? Wait...

"You're a Crown Prince too, Yulan-san? Or should I call you Yulan-sama?" I asked.

"Yulan is fine. Indeed, I am a Crown Prince from The Etherfiend Kingdom, Yulan Noche Rox Fiend. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hide it from you, it just never come up" He apologised.

"Nah, don't mind it. I was more curious about how did Arzen know that?" I smirk at Arzen.

"Hey!" He protested. "We, Princes are demanded to know other Kingdom Princes, you know!" He adds.

"Yeah, and you manage to remember both their face and name? I'm impressed!" I said.

"Arren Nii-sama threatened him that he would stop playing with him if he couldn't remember them," Kii said.

"Kii, don't tell them" he whines again.

"That explains it," I said.

After that, we are discussing what to do to form our alliance, if we should meet again or if letters only will be enough to form a trust.

Kii said it is better if we visit each other Kingdom to show how much we trust each other. We agree with her. We continue our discussion until late night when Yulan-san remembers that he needs to inform his people that he is alright.

They have their own way to communicate, so we leave him alone to give him privacy.

Arguing with Arzen with Kii between us, makes me wonder if the bad things that happened a few days ago really happen or not.

Ah, everything is back to normal, I guess.

Two days after that, Yulan-san knights come to pick him up. Ben-kun and Yulan-san went with a promise to keep in touch. Polly-chan, who also makes a promise with Ben-kun to send each other letter (and to marry in the future. Honestly? Even little kids also already promise to get married?) will go with Uncle Raselle and Ben to return to her tribes.

Angela, who these past days have been clinging to Noah, to his confusion, seems to turn timid. Sometimes, she will glance to Kii as if she wants to says something but cancelled it.

She hadn't look at Arzen or try to talk to Arzen at all. She seems to stalk Noah now.

I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing. For me, as long as she stays away from Kii, it will be alright. I don't have time to deal with her.

As fast as we leave home, we come back as fast too.

We are welcomed by a worry Nee-sama who immediately takes Kii in her arms, sobbing softly. Nii-sama and Arren Nii-sama who sigh in relieve, The king and the queen and our parents.

By the look of Mother expression, I knew something bad was happening while Kii and I absence from our house.

You people just won't give Kii a break, will you?

Uncle said that he needs to go back immediately as he needs to bring Polly-chan to her family soon. They have been worry and he doesn't want to make them stay worried longer than necessary.

We made promises to meet with each other soon to discuss some magic that I asked him about.

I knew my family, except Mother, want Kii to be home with us, but I ask her to stay with Arzen tonight. It was a hard decision but I know it is for the best.

We, The Wallace Family have something to discuss. I don't want Kii to be caught in it. Something bad is happening in the house. Mother eyes show that her hatred toward Kii has grown. If Kii is included, she will become a target. I don't want to take a risk. She needs to be away for now.

I thought Father will disagree. Strangely, he was not. Nee-sama looks at me sadly and held Kii tightly, whispering an apology before she left. Nii-sama just sighs, hugs Kii and tells her how happy he was that she is back before he follows Nee-sama.

Mother left without even said anything. I scowl at her back.

Father, though... He hugs Kii and kisses her on the temple, "Come home soon" he smiles. Kii nods at him shyly. It was the first time Father ever shows affection to her.

Kii is smart. I know she understands what is happening in our house. I know she understands that by asking her to stay out, I'm also asking for her trust. I know she trusts me.

"I miss Ace-kun, anyway," She said to cheer me up.

I knock her head "Don't let him go too far" I warn.

"No promise," She said cheekily.

"He is been corrupting you," I tell her as I hug her. "Everything will be okay, Kii. I promise. This time I will protect you."

"I know" Kii whispers.

"Take good care of her. Don't go too far. I warn you! Don't go too far!" I told Arzen who held both his hands up but not looking at me. I sigh. He is hopeless.

I bow to the other and follow my so-called family home.

Okay, let's find out what happened while we were away.