I awoke mid morning the next day and went out onto the balcony. Soldiers were out surveying the damage that had been dealt to the city. Not since the destruction of my village had I ever seen such a ferocious attack. And if this was meant to be a warning…would the next attack be even worse? All I could do was hope and pray that there would be no next attack. That they would capture this Bakura person and keep the kingdom safe.

To get my mind off of it, I went to the palace gardens in an attempt to relax. I walked amongst the various flowers until I found a spot underneath a persea tree. It was quiet, save for the chirping of a couple sparrows. After a few moments, I figured it was a good a time as any to practice a little with my lyre. I know I was already good enough, but even the best need more practice. So I unstrapped it from my back and rested against the tree's trunk. Positioning it to where I could play it, I began lightly strumming a soft tune. Soon the entire garden was alight with its ethereal sound. I couldn't be sure…but I felt as though I was being watched from afar. Like there was something in the trees keeping a close eye on me.

As I continued playing, I closed my eyes and let myself become fully enveloped in the music. I've always felt a sort of attachment to it. Like it was my one true form of finding solace. I guess it was in my blood to feel that way.

"Alea," I heard someone say.

I opened my eyes, leaving my trance, to see someone standing before me. I looked up and saw…
"Seto," I answered.

"I've been looking for you," he said. "The crown prince and princess of the Western Nile Kingdom have arrived and we must all be present to welcome them. That means regular priestesses like you as well."

My blood nearly chilled at the sound of that. "P-Prince Niu and Princess Odjit?!" I nearly yelled. "W-Why would they be here?"

"You know just as well that they are betrothed to our Pharaoh and Princess," he said.

Oh yeah…I forgot about that. Or more accurately I didn't want it to be true. The royal family of the West Nile were terrible people who were only interested in satisfying themselves. They claimed the betrothal of their prince and princess to our Pharaoh and princess was to join the kingdoms together and stop the constant wars. But they could just as easily be doing this to gain control of the kingdom.

"…Do I have to?" I said, though it was quite childish.

"Alea, it is our duty to show them respect, and such behavior won't be tolerated," he said sternly. "Despite how much we may dislike them." I could've sworn that he said "those treacherous fiends" under his breath. He especially did not like them, believing them to be very untrustworthy and sleazy. I knew the whole "we must show them respect" thing was only for show. He didn't respect them.

"Very well," I sighed, getting up and re-strapping my lyre onto my back.

"Now come along. It would be rude of us to be late," Seto said. I followed behind.

We entered to the throne room just as Niu and Odjit came in. The moment they stepped foot in the room, the aura seemed to fade quickly from light the dark and ominous. I didn't like at all.

"The Kingdom of Egypt welcomes our guests, Prince Niu and Princess Odjit, from the Western Nile Kingdom," Shimon announced. I admired him for being able to be so pleasant in the face of such unpleasant people. "We have prepared a welcoming ceremony in your honor," he added.

"Hmph, some ceremony," Odjit scoffed. How ungrateful.

Niu immediately took sight of Princess Emana and started making his way towards her. She was obviously made very uncomfortable by this. "So this is my bride-to-be," he said. "The rumors I heard were true. You are the most beautiful woman in Egypt."

"I'm…flattered," she said, though she seemed clearly not flattered.

"You know, most would return the compliment after being given one," he noted. "Perhaps something along the lines of 'And you are just as handsome as people say, Prince Niu'." He was unbelievably full of himself.

"I'd just as soon vomit than boost your already inflated ego," she said. My eyes widened in surprise. Princess Emana was known for not being afraid to speak her mind, but I didn't expect her to be that fearless. Then again, I shouldn't be doubting the crown princess.

She obviously hit a nerve, as Niu was attempting (unsuccessfully I might add) to conceal his rage. "How dare you speak to me so callously," he said. "If we weren't in the presence of so many people, I'd…I'd…" "You'd what?" I spoke up, getting between him and Princess Emana. I had about enough of how he was treating her. "Need I remind you that you are an outsider in this kingdom and threatening the princess is an action that can result in harsh punishment." I hadn't realized my sudden intervention caused everyone's attention to be drawn to the three of us. It was at this moment I realized that I may have just crossed a line. As soon as it crossed my mind, Niu's hand struck my face. Hard. I stumbled a bit, touching my now red and burning cheek. I trembled slightly. "Learn to hold your tongue in the presence of royalty, little minstrel," he warned.

"How about you learn to keep your hands off the members of our court," Emana retorted.

"Enough of this!" Seto ordered, separating the three of us and pulling me aside.

"Prince Niu, I would strongly suggest that you not try to cause a scene in the midst of our Pharaoh," he said sternly.

Niu seemed close to starting yet another argument, but Seto gave him a look that stopped him from doing so. Niu cleared his throat. "Then maybe have your princess and court members learn respect," he said. "And for you, Priest Seto, I suggest you not get in my way again."

Seto simply turned and led me out of the room. I knew I was in for it. He took me to a hallway where no one could hear us. "And what exactly were you planning to accomplish by doing that?" he inquired.

"Defending our princess, that's what!" I exclaimed. He gave me a look, signaling he didn't care for me raising my voice at him. "…Sorry," I apologized. "I just got slapped by that fiendish snake, so I'm not in the best of moods."

"Alea, I understand your desire to serve and protect the royal family, but there are lines are not to be crossed, and in the eyes of Prince Niu, that is what you did," he said. As much as I hated it, he had a point. But I couldn't help doing what I did.

"…I suppose you're right," I said. "But I'm not apologizing about it."

"Restrain yourself next time," he said. "Because I'm not inclined to always come running to your defense." With that, he walked away.

For as strict and sometimes arrogant as he was, I did greatly respect Seto. After all, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have trained to become a priestess. It was him who would push me to my limits in order for me to succeed. He may have been harsh, but it was just his way of showing he cared. And I knew that the reason he called me out for this was just to protect me. I was, after all, the youngest and newest priestess.

After cooling down, I too returned to the throne room and took my place beside Princess Emana. Everything seemed to go back to normal and it was business as usual. Well…as much as it could be. A feeling of uneasiness still hung in the air. Princess Emana then turned to me.

"I want to thank you for what you did," she said. "I couldn't stand him being that close to me, and acting the way he did."

"It's my duty to protect you, Princess Emana," I replied. "And I am happy to do so."

"Thank you," she said again. "And I've told you before…you don't have to refer to me as 'Princess'. You are my friend."

"But Princess Emana…it wouldn't be respectful if I didn't," I protested.

"I don't want to be treated like I'm completely above everyone. I want to just be known for who I am. Emana. Not a person whose friends feel like they are beneath me," she explained.

"I…very well, Emana," I said.

"Thank you," she said. "I just want one last bit of happiness."

I was perplexed by what she said. Last bit of happiness? "Pri…Emana, what do you mean by that?" I inquired.

"They don't talk about it, but…after I am married to Prince Niu, I am to return with him back to his kingdom," she replied.

"What?!" I almost shouted. She just nodded sadly. "But…But that's completely unfair!"

"I wish it were not so," she said.

I felt unfathomably sad for her. Emana was a good princess and a strong woman. And for her to be married off to such a wicked man was unjust. We sat in silence for a long few moments until we were approached by someone. Half expecting it to be Niu, I looked up and was pleasantly surprised. It was Lord Ryuji, a nobleman in our kingdom. His family has had close ties to the royal family for generations. So he would of course come to the palace for many parties. He was a nice man. Granted he could be a touch arrogant, but for the most part he had an enjoyable personality.

"Princess Emana," he greeted.
She looked up and her face seemed to light up. "Lord Ryuji," she said, smiling a bit. "It's so nice to see you here."

"The pleasure is all yours, my lady," he said. That was another thing. He was unrelentingly charming. Emana smiled more. "Would you like to dance?" he asked.

"Of course," she replied, getting up.

They went to where everyone else was dancing and joined in. I don't think I had ever seen as happy as she was right there. Now that I thought about it, she was always really happy when around Lord Ryuji. It was as though he lit up her life when he was around her. Of course…why didn't I see it before? She was in love with him. No wonder see seemed especially sad about the prospect of having to leave the kingdom. She didn't want to be separated from him. And why wouldn't she be upset about that? They seemed perfect together. I then began to think…it must be nice to have someone to be in love with. Someone who could light up my life. Who would make me happy just to see them. I sighed. Someday perhaps, but not someday soon. There was too much going on to concern myself with it.

Just then, I was approached by someone else. This time it was less pleasant. "Princess Odjit," I said with a slight grumble.

"So, I heard you're supposed to be the best lyrist in Egypt," she said, seemingly in disbelief of that statement.

"That's what I am told," I replied, quite confidently.

"Ha! Well I bet that my personal lyrist can outplay you," she asserted. She was obviously trying to start something.

"Are you challenging me to a lyre playing competition?" I inquired.

"No, I'm simply stating he IS probably better than you," she said.

I could feel my face grow red, not from shame or embarrassment, but from my rising blood pressure after hearing her say that. "Then why not prove it? Bring your lyrist here and we'll let everyone here decide who the best is. After all, they all probably have a better ear for music than you do," I said. Her face went red with anger.

"Very well!" she exclaimed. "But I'll raise the stakes…the loser must surrender their lyre and never play again."

My blood went cold at the sound of that. How would I ever continue on without my lyre? But I couldn't back down…my own pride was at stake as well. "…You're on," I answered.

Word spread quickly and soon a large space was made for the competition to take place. This is insane, this is insane. But if I don't I'm a coward and if I lose I'll be shamed. It's a lose-lose situation if I make the wrong move. I then stepped forward to face my competitor. He was a middle-aged man with a beard and a smug look on his face. He seemed overly confident that he would win. Odjit seemed equally as confident. I was a bit nervous, and I looked to my side for some form of reassurance. They all seemed to be confident in my abilities. I then looked to Seto. He maintained his stern look, but there was still a look in his eyes that seemed to say "you are better than him". I couldn't back down. I had to give it my all.

The room grew silent as the two of us took our spots. "Good luck, little girl," he said snidely. "And may the better musician win."

"Oh believe me…she will," I retorted.

With that, the competition began. He started. His music was indeed great, but it seemed…dark. It was like the kind that would dampen even the most cheerful of spirits. I had to fight that back. I began playing a much lighter tune and soon our dueling sounds filled the entire room. We seemed quite evenly match. This was not to be a short competition. We fiercely plucked and strummed the strings of our lyres, desperately trying to get the upper hand. As it grew more heated, we began to perspire. However, the competition would soon turn in my favor. Just as it would happen every time I played, I began to get swept up in the music and it felt as though nothing could stop me. Like I was weaving the most beautiful tapestry of sound that would become the world around me. What I had not realized was that this somehow caused my competitors music to be completely drowned out until all that filled the hall was my music alone. Finally, I ended it. There was a brief moment of silence and then the room erupted in applause…for me. Everyone crowded around me, signifying that I was the winner. I…I did it. I proved Odjit wrong. Beyond the mass of people, I could see she was fuming. This is why you don't challenge a priestess.

"Alright, everyone, give priestess Alea some space," Shimon announced. And I'm glad he did. I was about out of breath. I didn't even realize how exhausting that was. I broke from the crowd and rested against a pillar, wiping the sweat of my face with my cape. I was approached by Seto.

"Did I cross another line?" I joked a bit.

"I just wanted to say you have a special skill. One that many people could never aspire to have. Just know that no matter what…never surrender it to anyone. Understood?" he said.

I was a little perplexed by him saying that, but nevertheless, I answered, "Yes."

"Good. I shall leave you to rest now," he said, returning to the main six.

And rest I did. Not too long afterwards I retired to my room for some peace and quiet. I certainly slept better than I did the previous night. But…it would be the last night I would ever sleep this well.