Have you ever had moments when you couldn't stand your life the way it is and absolutely positively felt the need to get away, not just from the people in it but yourself as well? When your past and your present feel like they are merging into a murky future and you know there has to be a place where you can be the someone you were always meant to be, where you won't have to always lie in someone else's shadow, competing for attention or for love? For Raoul, this place lies, not over the rainbow, but in the far Eastern country he has escaped to – only to find himself summarily claimed by a young and winsome prince, who proclaims, "From today, you are mine!" And thus we begin Naduki Koujima's Our Kingdom Arabian Nights!
Highlights
We first met Raoul – to give him his full due, Sir Raoul de Baviere Basil – in the original Our Kingdom series. Raoul has always competed with his uncle Rei for attention, as the two young men are very close in age and attributes. But a frustrated Raoul is always made to feel second-best, hence his need to flee Japan, and its unpleasant memories. A brief sojourn at home in the US, in the constant company of his three small sisters, proves to be too much for him, so he has fled to a high-class resort in the Middle East, only to find himself bound and claimed by its young prince Ashif, albeit in disguise. After bandying a few words, Raoul simply slides out of the ropes that bind him, warning the prince that he will be a laughingstock if anyone ever finds out about this ill-fated stunt, and Ashif is embarrassed to learn that Raoul knows who he really is. But Ashif's half-blood retainer, Saqr, insists that Raoul stay, so what can he do when he is made an offer that he cannot refuse? In the meantime, Raoul's spoiled little sisters have wangled their way to the same country, in search of their older brother, along with bodyguard Keath, and manage to run into Ashif's older sister, the beautiful Noura, who is so enchanted with them, that she offers them her hospitality. Meanwhile, Ashif has put a chain about his hostage, the better to keep him from escaping as the ropes proved rather ineffectual, and follows him everywhere, including the bath, confiding his ideas about matching up Raoul with his older sister, whom it turns out Raoul has met briefly and has managed to charm. The more that Raoul talks to the young prince, the more he sees of his goodness and naivete, and he finds himself drawn to him. And he can't help but notice that there is a mutual attraction between them. And yes, he sees which way the prince's eyes are looking! Playfully, he pulls the prince down into his bath, and proceeds to kiss him! Ashif pulls away, and Raoul is dismayed that he has used force against him, wondering what sort of person he has become, to do such a thing? Later, Saqr attacks Raoul, only to learn that besides slipping out of ropes, he is skilled at lockpicking, and the two battle, only to end up with Ashif in the middle, who then reveals to Raoul the reason that Saqr hates him – it is because he is in love with the Princess Noura himself, and is jealous of anyone that would take her! Ashif helps Raoul to escape, fearing that he will end up a victim of Saqr's anger, and then reveals the truth – that the plan he had proposed between Raoul and Noura was a means to drawn Noura and Saqr together, but it has backfired! The two of them end up on horseback together, with Raoul in the driver's seat, and they go into the desert where they find themselves being drawn closer and closer together, only to stumble upon Keath, who has found Raoul at last! And it's back to the palace they go!
Overall
Raoul finds himself disturbed by his actions, and he questions his own worth – past, present and future. His jealousy of his uncle Rei manifests itself in his dreams – he imagines him stealing Ashif away from him, as he has always been able to take anything he wants, and the prince wakens him from his nightmare, brushing away Raoul's tears. Raoul finds himself falling in love with Ashif, who is very innocent, and while he has no wish to hurt him, sometimes he can't seem to stop himself from being demanding and selfish. Can he change, is it possible to be the man he wishes to be? And can he be worthy of the love of someone such as Ashif? And what does the appearance of Ashif's older brother, the Prince of the land, mean? Will he really feed Raoul to his black panthers in order to keep him away from Ashif? Will Raoul's decision to leave the country separate the lovers before they can actually become lovers, or will it ultimately allow them to truly be together? It is a romantic tale, set in a romantic land, with a Far Eastern fairy tale feel to it, with a yaoi spin, of course. Rather fitting, as it is a practice that is far from unknown in those countries. I like Raoul and his moments of introspection, showing him to be a three-dimensional character, rather than a one trick pony. The young prince is innocent, yes, but he also has a certain wisdom of his own. The three little girls are spoiled and adorable, and make great comic foils, hopefully we'll see more of them in future volumes. This volume is redolent with the mystery of the orient, and the artwork is up to the task of portraying this yaoi version of the Arabian Nights. June mangas seldom disappoint, known for their quality and their devotion to the yaoi cause, and this title is no exception. I don't mind being teased a bit now, if I know that ultimately love will prevail, and I look forward to watching this plot unfold.
Comicsonline gives Our Kingdom Arabian Nights 4 out of 5 stolen kisses.
