Prologue

King Kenta Yuki—or Haou, as his people called him—paced anxiously, his green eyes bright with worry. He had been doing so for hours, waiting for word on his wife and their unborn child. As Neo Space was highly advanced, he wasn't worried about their safety—at least, that was what he said. His longtime friend, Henri, could tell that Kenta wasn't being totally honest.

"Kenta, calm down. I'm sure Hikari is fine, and the little one will be strong and healthy, just like his father."

Finally Kenta stopped pacing. "You're right, Henri," he sighed, running a hand through his dark brown hair. "I'm sure you are. It's just that this is a first for me. My first-born child is on the way. I can't help but be a little anxious."

Henri smiled and said, "I was the same way when my boy Johan was born."

Just then the doctor, a dark-skinned man in his mid-forties, approached the two men. "Sire, your child has been born. Congratulations, it's a boy."

"How is Hikari?" Kenta asked.

"Don't worry, my king, the queen is just fine. So is the boy," he added pointedly.

Kenta nodded. "Good. Then bring me my son."

The doctor bowed and took his leave, returning to the queen's chambers.

Henri smiled at his friend, walking over to stand beside him, and said, "Congratulations. I suppose this means that Johan will have a new playmate, then?"

"Of course, my friend," Kenta answered, smiling broadly at the foreigner. "I wouldn't have it any other way."