"So how was the library today, Lady Aziza," Ahknamkanen asked in an effort to move the girl's attention from Seth to himself.

It didn't work. "It was fine, My Lord, although I did have a bit of trouble looking for the document about the ceremonial treatment of hippos," she replied, not shifting her glare a single inch. Seth and Aziza had been locked in a staring contest since the High Priest had implied that she was lesser than he had expected.

Seth had inspected the girl when she came in, knowing the king's hopes for her. Plain brown hair, orphaned with no family prominence, and only a passing knowledge of court workings, and this is the girl the pharaoh wants as our next queen? He'd shaken his head at the sheer foolishness. He had turned to the pharaoh and asked, "Sir, I understand why you employed this girl as a librarian. We were so short staffed that a trained monkey would have filled the spot. But did you really have to bring such an unkempt, common-blooded girl to the royal table? If not for her sister's meagre redeeming qualities, I would doubt her ability to intelligently interact with anyone at this table."

He'd taken his seat after that, and she'd taken hers right across from him and proceeded to level a glare that would have burned through his headdress had she been anything other than a mere girl. Still, Seth greatly doubted the tales he'd heard about her appearance in the court on her first day and the trial that followed. After a few minutes went by, his only change of opinion was that she was stupid enough to glare at a high ranking official of the court such as himself when an intelligent person would have backed off after such a tongue lashing.

After the pharaoh's attempt at a distraction, she spoke to Seth. "Why was the document on hippos needed?"

"What," he asked with a bored tone. Was the monkey attempting conversation?

Then she had the gall to sigh at him! "I mean, what incident was brought before the court that required such a document?" She still hadn't looked away from Seth, so her comment was directed at him. "Did some farmer have an issue with a hippo disturbing his fields and the document lent guidance about how to handle the matter? Was there some poacher that needed to be disciplined and the papers would help determine his punishment? Is there some upcoming ceremony known only to the court that demands a review of that particular scroll?" She brought one eyebrow up near her hairline, daring him to answer her.

He looked away from her in slight distain. What a wild imagination. "A hippo calf was found in one of the palace gardens closest to the Nile and the gardeners had questions about the proper manner in which to return it to the river. Your mind is certainly full of rubbish," he remarked.

But she did not shrink from him. She replied, rather icily, "then such cases as the ones I described have not happened in the past three months?"

Both Seth and Ahknamkanen started slightly. Both could remember several incidents that had occurred within that time frame. "How would you know about that," the pharaoh asked, very curious.

She smiled at him, turning her whole face towards him so it was clear who it was directed at and replied," Well when court is not in session but I am still required to be in the library to help various patrons, I read the records of the court to pass the time. Studying the precedents of certain situations may help to come to better conclusions in the future. We could also do it more quickly if we can reference decisions from the past instead of always having to consult a large variety of laws to find the answers."

Sitting back in his chair, Seth's scowl changed to a more thoughtful expression. That was true. Perhaps they should have someone read the records and condense the preceding cases so that they could consult the one document instead of all the different scrolls they used just this morning. Then his scowl returned He couldn't believe he was seriously considering the commoner's idea!

Aziza watched the emotions play out on his face. Weren't expecting that, were you? She gloated to herself. There was no way she was going to let his remarks about her go unaddressed, especially since he'd brought Yugi into the argument. Her happiness aside, no one threatened the romance between her sister and the younger prince. Satisfied that she had at least given the priest something to think about, she stopped ignoring the rest of the table and asked Atem what had happened in the gardens after she'd left.

"I was swarmed by girls."

Yami choked on his wine when he heard that answer. He stared at his brother. "When did this happen," he asked incredulously.

The crown prince put down his fork, swallowed, and answered, "right after Aziza left with one of their personal servants to go grab a scroll for one of them. It' was much worse than usual. In fact, it's been much worse since you became Yami's intended, Yugi." He glanced over at the girl. She blushed pinker than the sunset and the hand holding Yami's tightened slightly. He smiled at her, brought the hand to his mouth, and landed a delicate kiss on the back of it. She giggled.

Aziza smiled at the pair of lovebirds. "Perhaps it's because you're the only royal they have a chance with now," she added, although her mind was spinning on a whole different track of thought. Could they have found out about the time limit? And if so, how much did they know? Did Atem himself even know? She asked, "Is there any other reason you can think of?"

"No," replied the elder prince. "not that I know of."

Ahknamkanen watched as Aziza's expression closed up into a cordial mask and she changed the subject by asking what the court session had been like that day, most specifically if there had been any trials using the Millennium Items. But their conversation had reminded him of that most bothersome law. He would have to tell Atem about it, soon. They were running out of time.

This is a prelude of things to come, but I really tried to keep Seto in character. How did I do? Please Review!