"I won." Yugi said quietly

"Congratulations my lord."

The young boy looked at his servant across from him. The pretty old, tanned woman was wearing simple, white clothes and she lowered her head as a sign of submission to her tiny master. Yugi sighed. It was really boring to win everytime against her. Mostly because he suspected her to lose on purpose. And, in Yugi's opinion, this woman wasn't entertaining at all. In fact, all their servants was boring. They were all too formal and that kind of behavior annoyed Yugi. If only he could go outside. Meet people of his age, play with them, have fun, visit the town where he lived since his birth, feel the sand under his feet and the warmth of Ra for the first time. In other words : be free. But his parents would never let him. They had always forbidden him to show himself to other people except his parents and his servants. Why? Because of his skin.

Actually, contrary to other children who were born tanned, Yugi was born with pearl white skin. That's why his parents had always hidden him from everybody. They said that it was for his security, but the young boy wasn't really sure of that. Sometimes, he suspected his parents to be ashamed of him. The less time they spent with him to more he began to believe it. Even with all those slaves in the mansion, the boy felt lonely and, worst of all, unloved by his own parents.

Speak of the devil, they were arguing downstairs about something that Yugi couldn't understand but something made him believe that he was the subject. The boy hated hearing them fighting, mostly when they were speaking about him. That made him felt guilty and even more sad.

But fortunately, this fight wasn't last very long. After some minutes, they were quiet and Yugi felt relieved. But then, he heard them both go uptstairs. The young boy found that pretty weird, after this kind of discussion they were usually avoiding each other.. Afterward, he heard the door to his room squeaking and saw them enter. His mother give a glare to the servant who understood that she should leave them alone. When the door was closed, his father began to speak with an annoyed expression on his face.

"Yugi, we have something important to tell you." he said

"What is it?" Yugi asked, worried

"Tomorrow it's the 20th anniversary of the Pharaoh's coronation. And to celebrate that, every noble family is invited to the palace for a banquet." he explained, but his son didn't really understand the meaning of this.

"So.. you mean that you'll leave me again..? Like usual..?" he questionned.

Then why are you looking this annoyed? Usually you didn't care... Yugi thought

"No Yugi." his mother continued. "The problem is that we think that it would be better if we bring you with us this time."

"... What? Really?" he asked, surprised

"Yeah.. The message that we just received says that the entire family is invited and.. we thought about it and we think that it might be disrespectful to the Pharaoh to not show him our child. We can't pretend that you're sick everytime..!" she detailed with kind of regrets in her voice but Yugi didn't understand why.

"But..! That's not a problem! It's amazing! I would love to go there! That will be the first time!" Yugi exclaimed with a smile

"Precisely Yugi!" his father warned. "That won't be a simple banquet! That will be the Pharaoh's banquet! And that means that all the nobles and the most powerful people of the land will be there! And of course the Pharaoh and the Prince! Do you know what that means?"

"That.. that it's really important..?" Yugi wondered

"That it's the most important banquet of our life!" he answered. "You know that in politics it's fundamental to be 'friends' with powerful people but if you offend one, it can destroy our reputation and our life! And a child who can't behave like a noble like you can offend a lot of people!"

"You... you think that I can't behave like a noble?" Yugi wishpeared weakly

"Of course you can't! You've never been at a banquet before and you've never met another noble either!" he scolded

Whose fault is that..? Yugi thought, hurt

"Imagine if the Pharaoh finds your behaviour disrespectful and becomes mad at you! At us! That would be terrible! He can do anything he wants!" he said

"That's why Yugi, you must promise us that tomorrow you'll never move away from us, you won't speak to anyone except if a noble speak to you but in that case you won't answer by yourself, you'll let us respond, okay?"

"Well okay but.."

"And don't forget to kneel in front of the Pharaoh and his son when you'll see them! And during the banquet don't eat too much or people will think that we're starving you, same for drinking!"

"And don't put your elbows on the table!"

"Don't look around too much, no one likes nosy people!"

"Don't leave the table unless we tell you to!"

"Don't sit before the Pharaoh or the Prince!"

"Just sit between us!"

"Don't say a word!"

"Don't sigh!"

"Don't laugh!"

"Don't pout!"

"Don't smile too much!"

"Don't be absent-minded!"

"And most importantly, you're not here to have fun! So don't behave like a brat in front of everyone! Concentrate on the conversations and what's going on around you and that's all!"

"Any questions?"

"Can I at least breathe..?" Yugi suggested ironically

"Not too loud."

"Oh."

Late at night, Yugi couldn't sleep. He tried to relax and stop thinking about exciting things but he just couldn't. He had already changed his position countless time in his bed but he was too impatient for tomorrow. Finally! He could be outside! And not just in his own town, but in the Pharaoh's too and mostly his palace! Yugi had always wondered what the home of the most powerful people in the country looked like. But tomorrow, he'd finally see it! And with that the guards of this surely beautiful building and other nobles like him. Maybe he'd meet people who had the same passion for games as him That would be a dream come true for the young boy.

...

Too bad that his parents had forbidden him to do as he wanted... Yugi would be really happy to just go outside and see new things, but he couldn't deny that he would rather do a lot of things instead of just watch. But he was too afraid that his parents would refuse to bring him with them if he protested only slightly.

Even if he couldn't wait for tomorrow, Yugi was a little scared that something bad might happen.

"Can we go? Can we go?"

"Quiet Yugi ! Not now..!"

"... And now? Can we go?"

Yugi's mother sighed as an answer. Yugi knew that he was annoying but he was too excited to patiently wait for the journey to begin. He was more than ready but his parents were still busy with the servants about what clothes to bring, what gift to bring for the Pharaoh and other things that were useless in the boy's opinion. All he could do while waiting for his parents was watching through the window the horses they would ride. Yugi didn't expected to travel to the town with horses! That was a wonderful surprise for him! He had seen these animals before when he had secretly looked outside but never this close and soon he'd have the opportunity to touch them, pet them and ride one of them. How exciting! He couldn't help but stomp his feet in impatience before the window. He wanted to go right now!

"Can we go now?" he asked again, making this father sigh this time.

"No, leave us alone and go wait outside with the horses." he said coldly, but Yugi didn't care about his tone and, with his permission, ran out of the house. He just heard a simple "Don't wander off !" of his mother before he went to the dozen horses. This close, these animals were bigger than the boy was almost intimidating but for the most part they were beautiful, cute and interesting. Yugi wondered why they were this many, after all, they needed only three of them, but he quickly understoodthat the others were for the servants who would go with them to the palace. Then, Yugi didn't know which horse to choose for riding. This one with the brown fur and black nose? Or this one with the cute spots? Or this one who which was.. all white... Yugi quickly avoided looking at this animal. This one.. wasn't for him at all! Then he continued looking at them but, except the white one, he loved them all! Which one to choose? It was hard to decide...

Guilty, he looked back slowly.

"Yugi! We're done! Are you ready?" his mother asked when she went outside with servants.

"Yes! I even choose a horse!" Yugi answer with a smile while he was petting his choice. His father who had heard that soon came out of the mansion too and was outraged when he saw his son.

"Yugi! Are you kidding us?!" he groaned angrily while his mother gasped

"W-what?" Yugi asked, worried

"Why the hell did you choose the white horse?!" he asked while approaching dangerously

"W-well when I saw it I immediatly judged it because it's all white like me and then I wanted to avoid it but.. Why? I mean, it's just a horse ! Its fur doesn't matter, and I found it very nice and-"

"Get away from it! You won't have this one!" he scolded and grabbed Yugi's arm

"But-"

"There's no 'but'! What are you thinking? You want to make fun of us?! You want to provoke the other nobles?!" he rumbled and tightened his grip

"No! I just thought that-"

"You'll have the brown one! You'll be less visible with it. Understand?!" he asked with a mean voice

"...Yes, father..."

With the help of a servant, Yugi could have climb on his horse and after being taught the basics he realised that riding a horse was amazing. They hadn't even started moving yet but he loved being on this animal already. The view was wonderful, the boy felt like he was a tall person and he was impatient to make the horse run and feel the wind of Egypt on his face for the first time. But he sadly looked at the white one behind him that he would have loved to ride, then shook his head. It was his first and maybe last time that he could go outside, he wouldn't spoil it by being sad about a horse! ... But his father could have been nicer about that...

When Yugi's parents were finally ready, they climbed on their horses and gave the order to start the trip. Yugi couldn't wait any more! He was a little afraid when his horse started to move by following the others but after some seconds he was already used to it and savored the moment. Finally! Yugi had waited for this all his life ! He would finally see his town and soon the palace of the Pharaoh and all these new things! It was hard for him to not squeak in excitment.

When the horses left the estate of Yugi's parents, the boy could see the inhabitants of the town and their houses. The buildings weren't as big as theirs and the people weren't dressed like them but he was still amazed by the view on them. The family was surrounded by their servants and some soldiers so Yugi took a moment to realise that the people were staring at them.. and mostly him. After some looks, the boy began to feel intimidating by them. He looked then at his parents before him and discreetly asked.

"Why are they looking at me like that..?"

"Isn't that obvious?!" his father harshly answered without turning around

Yugi felt hurt at that sentence and became quiet after that. Why was his father so angry? And why did his mother sigh? Were they ashamed of him because of his skin colour? Was it that bad to be white and not tanned like everyone else? Yugi took another look at the people, they were still staring at him with astonishment and shock on their faces. But why? It was just a different skin colour..

He didn't liked to be the center of attention of strangers. He tried then to ignore them and only look straight ahead. Maybe his father was right when he had forbidden him to have the white horse...

When the town was behind them, Yugi wondered when they would start to make the horses gallop but he didnt dare to ask his parents who were still angry.

I guess that would be too much fun for them.. and "inappropriate for a noble"..! thought Yugi with a little sigh.

He then focus on the sunshine on his face and the sudden freash air in his lungs. Soon, he saw a long, blue ribbon before them and understood that it was the Nile that he had already heard about thanks to his personal teacher. With the heat wave, he wished he could run towards the river and jump in the water. But then again "that would be inappropriate"..!

After an eternity for Yugi, they finally reached the shore of the Nile and then, the young boy could finally see the palace on the horizon. Now, he was so excited! They would arrived soon!

A few minutes later, they had a break at the entrance of the Pharaoh's town. Yugi had cramps at his legs because of the riding but he didn't care that much. He was mostly glad he could refresh himself with the water for the horses, the heat was so unbearable. But his mother scolded him about that because that was "dirty". He didn't mind it because he was finally refreshed.

When they got back on the road, it was now in a litter. Yugi was kind of sad to say goodbye to the horses, but he was glad he would be shielded from the sun and could rest a little.

While his parents were again talking about politics, Yugi discreetly took looks behind the curtains of the litter of the Pharaoh's town. He couldn't see many things, but the little he saw amazed him : he could see other nobles (he reconize them because of their clothes) riding splendidly decorated horses, other litters and even animals with brown fur that he had never seen before. He could't see more when his mother ordered him to stop looking.

A few moments later Yugi felt how the litter stopped and was placed on the ground. He understood that they had finally arrived and began to quiver with impatience.

Yes! Finally! Finally! Finally! Quick! I want to look outside! he thought, shaking with excitment.

"Yugi, hold back!" his mother ordered when she saw it.

"Y-yes!" he answered, afraid that his parents would leave him in the litter if he didn't behave.

When a servant opened it, Yugi's father got out after giving his son a glare. His wife followed him and finally it was Yugi's turn. He forced himself to stand straight and joined his parents, trying to behave well.

The first thing he saw was stairs, a guard on each step, each a spear in their hands and a keen stare. And of top of the stairs, the boy saw the gates of the Pharaoh's palace. It was so huge! Yugi wondered why people made such huge doors for simple humans but he thought that maybe it was to show the Pharaoh's importance. Then he remembered when he saw his parents face that he wasn't suppose to show his surprise or curiosity to people.

When they entered with other nobles, it was hard for Yugi to not show that he was really amazed by the palace. The exterior was already beautiful, but the interior was wonderful too! The rooms were spacious, decorated with golden, red and blue tapestries on the walls and with a marble floor in which Yugi could almost see his own reflection. Some pillars and statues of strange beast were placed almost everywhere and frescoes were painted on the ceiling. If Yugi had been allowed to speak he would already have shouted a loud "woooow!" that would have echoed through the hall.

While walking, his mother whispered to him that they would soon meet the Pharaoh in the throne room and that he should behave irreproachable in front of him. Yugi nodded with nervousness. He would finally see the most powerful man of the land who scared his parents this whole time. Would Yugi be scared too when he saw him?

Yugi gasped when he heard the herald call the names of his family and then knew that they were to enter in the throne room next.

"Lord Usbek, Lady Nephys... and... their son.. I guess."

Yugi frowned at his last words. Why did the herald "guess"? Wasn't it obvious that they were a family? Was it because of his white skin..? But then, why hadn't the herald said Yugi's name? Didn't he knew it? Why? Had his parents never even told the people their son's name? Had they ever even said that they had a child..?

Yugi didn't have the time to think about it anymore since his parents were already striding towards the throne, their "assumed" son followed them with a little clumsily because of his nervousness. Yugi was too stressed to realise that the throne room was more beautiful than the other rooms of the palace, but instead of that, he focused on his parents to know when he should kneel.. Ah! There it is!

Yugi then quickly knelt down, worried to make a mistake. He tried to look at the Pharaoh but he remembered that his father had forbidden him to raise his head without permission, especially if he wanted to look at this powerful man.

"Greetings to you, my Pharaoh! We're honoured to be invited into your palace!" he said, still kneeling

"You may rise." a barritone voice answered

Then, the family stoop up. Yugi could finally see the face of the ruler of Egypt : it was a tanned man, with a gray beard and serious, sharp, violet eyes. But when he realised that the Pharaoh was looking at him, he quicky looked down, shaking because of stress. The boy felt his father being intimidated too.

"I didn't know you had a son." the king said

"It's the first time that we can show him! He was sick before." his father lied

The Pharaoh remained silent for a moment, Yugi dared to cast another shy, short look at him. Did... did the Pharaoh smile?

"What is your name?" he asked

Yugi was about to answer, but then he remembered. His father answered at his place.

"His name is-"

"I'm talking to your son." he interrupted him

Yugi felt even more nervous after that. What was he supposed to do? Answer, yes, but how? With a "my pharaoh"? With a glance to him or not? He didn't know but he couldn't say nothing!

"M-my name is Yugi!" he stuttered, shaking

He heard his mother discreetly sigh, and some people in the throne room having a light giggle. He blushed, ashamed of himself.

"Why your skin is that pale?" the Pharaoh asked with another smile

"I-I don't know! I was born like this!" he stuttered, even more when he heard other people whisper, outraged

He didn't know why, but he saw his father facepalm as if he was dying of shame. What? Had Yugi done something wrong? Why didn't his mother even look at him anymore? And why were people mocking him?

"Wow..! What a shy boy!" giggled a woman

"Who does he think he is? It's as if he thought he was the pharaoh's buddy. Did you hear how he spoke to him?" laughed a middle aged man

"And that skin..! He looks like these foreign slaves! And he behaves like them too!" groaned someone

"Silence!" the Pharaoh ordered, silencing the crowd

"I'm sorry my Pharaoh! I.. disrespected you..!" Yugi said when he bowed

The man smiled again to him. "Don't worry, I forgive you. I know that you're nervous, it's the first time we meet after all."

"Thanks my Pharaoh..!" the boy said, relieved

"So! How old are you?" he gently asked

"I'm fifteen, my Pharaoh." he admited, a little shy

"Fifteen? I thought you were younger. In fact, you're almost the same age as my son!" the king exclaimed

"Ah? I mean, really my Pharaoh?", he heard someone burst out in laughter at his weird sentence but a glare from the king made him stop.

"Yeah, he's just sixteen. Come here Atem, don't be shy!" he called someone on his left

Yugi saw then a young man approaching the throne. Obviously, his skin was tanned, with the same eyes as the Pharaoh's : sharp and violet, except that his gaze wasn't serious but kind of surprised and amazed.. and apparently a little embarrassed. His hair looked like Yugi's, but contrarly to his, the young man had wild hair with some blond bangs more and between them his crown.

"Yo." the prince just said, a little shy

"Eh, g-greetings to you my Prince !" Yugi answered while he quickly knelt before him.

The crowd laughed again at their nervousness, the white boy scratched his head of embarrasment and gave the prince a meek smile. The prince lightly giggled and a slight blush spread on his young cheeks. Yugi didn't know that the Prince Atem was pretty timid.

While waiting for more nobles to arrive and introduce themselves to the Pharaoh the nobles around them were talking about politics and economics. Some people wanted to meet the unknow son of Usbek and Nephys, but Yugi was forbidden to speak, and his parents answered at his place. Yugi knew that the seconds they would be alone, his father would scold him very badly for his behaviour in front of the Pharaoh and the prince. He was scared of being without the other nobles.

When the last guest had finally arrived at the palace, the Pharaoh rose from his throne and ordered his servants to prepare the dishes for the banquet and allowed the crows to go sit at the large table in the celebration room.

The families were placed together, Yugi was then between his parents. He looked to his left and saw that they were pretty close to the Pharaoh and the prince's seats. The young boy tried to remember all the things that his parents had forbidden him yesterday but he was afraid to forget something and to be kicked under the table or have his thighs pinched. He preferred to remain on his seat, sitting upright and of course silent.

When the servants brought in the dishes the banquet finally began. Yugi had never seen so much food ! There was everything ! Different types of meats, vegetables, fruits, fish, exotic food, even things that the boy didn't know and they were numerous. The entire table began to chatter the moment the food was placed before them and Yugi couldn't understand anything. He suddenly remembered that it was disrepectful to not eat and he quickly imitated his parents and put some rice with olives on his plate, together with a piece of fish.

"Do you want wein this time, Atem?" Yugi heard the Pharaoh asked to his son

"No thanks, I would prefer water." the prince answered before a servant could fill his cup

"Good decision! With water you can't get drunk and do stupid things!" his father laughed and patted his son's shoulder

It seemed to him that the Pharaoh really loved his son. It wasn't like with his parents and their unknown son... Yugi sighed but was poked in the arm by an elbow. Ah, right... sighing was forbidden too. The boy then concentrated on his own plate and ate. He swallowed an olive but at this moment, his father gave him another poke with his elbow, distracted Yugi. His father was about to tell him something, but he was interrupted by the Pharaoh. "And you Usbek? Is everything is okay about your business ?"

"Oh, yes my Pharaoh! We're..!"

Yugi couldn't hear him anymore, he was coughing loudly. His mother whispered him to shut up but he couldn't. Everyone started to glare at him, even his father who was still talking to his king but he couldn't continue because of his son and scolded him in front of the other nobles. "Yugi, shut up! You're being rude!" and hit him on the back. At this moment, Yugi spat out the olive stuck in his throat. It bounced off of a cup at full speed and hit the prince's eye before falling onto the table.

"Outch..!" Atem said, rubbing his poor eye

Silence ruled the entire table after that. Everyone was afraid of the Pharaoh's reaction, especially Yugi who couldn't move except for covering his mouth with his hands, sweating and his eyes wide.

Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit! thought the boy after the biggest mistake of his life, feeling almost already the Pharaoh's soldiers kicking his body and the shame on his family for eternity.

But then, he heard someone laugh. Yugi was shocked when he saw that it was the king.

"AHAH! THAT WAS WONDERFUL!" he said with tears in his eyes, and the other nobles quickly imitated him.

Yugi shyly answered with a nervous giggle and a big blush on his face. Ra! That was so embarrassing..! But he was really relieved that the Pharaoh wasn't angry at him.

"That was a nice shot!" congratuled the prince with a smile, still rubbing his eye, which made Yugi blush even more.

"T-thanks..! I'm sorry..!"

The prince made a sign meaning that it was okay. Yugi had a guilty, little smile. He was so lucky that they were so nice..!

His parents were giggling too, then Yugi was relieved. But that was before he felt a pinch on his right thigh : it was his mother while giving a fake laugh. The boy winced in pain while the entire table was laughing. Then, he heard his father whisper to him. "After I leave, wait five minutes before you follow me and pretend you're going to the bathroom."

Yugi nodded when he felt another clamp on his left thigh before his father leave the table. Nobody saw that Yugi was scared and in pain, except one person.