Chapter 19
Mazel was sitting on the roof of the temple. She was transformed and was sitting with her legs over the edge. She could see the black silhouette of Ammon heading in her direction. She felt her heart racing in her chest as she followed his movements toward their agreed meeting place.
She had a lot she had to say to him, but the thought of saying any of it caused an unwanted lump to form in the back of her throat. She had talked to her sister in great detail about what he had asked and what he now actually knew. She was revived that he knew that Ladybug was a slave girl, but not by name or the owner. Unfortunately for Ammon, he was mentioned by name. Apparently, Anubis got a little too excited about bringing the dead back to life and left pretty fast to complete the objective.
Mazel's nerves didn't ease when he popped up beside her and sat half a foot away from her. He smiled at her. "So, is Lady Goddess an inappropriate way to greet you now? Because I still like it."
Mazel couldn't meet his gaze. "I could ask the same about the kitten."
She glanced away and looked around the city, pretending that she was just looking over everyone protectively. "I love that nickname," he replied. She instantly felt the blood rush to her face, and she continued to look anywhere but at him. "Mazel…gods that's weird to say out loud…I just want to say, I'm glad it was you. I admit, I never considered it, but I'm glad that it turned out to be you."
She didn't understand. How could he be happy about this? She was just a slave. If the pharaoh found out, he would surely have nothing positive to say. Master Shen would perhaps call her a false goddess. She wasn't worthy of praise. She felt his hand grasp hers. She turned and looked at him instinctively. Her brown eyes met his brown ones. He was smiling at her. It was Chat Noir's smile. Ammon had never smiled so cheerfully before.
"A-Ammon, I'm not worthy of such-"
"Don't you dare start that," Ammon cut in. "You have the power of miracles. That's amazing. I destroy things, you fix them. I'm sorry, but what the hell Mazel?!"
"But I'm just a slave girl!"
"You are not just a slave girl," he replied. "The people around us may not understand that we're not actually gods, or where our power comes from, but they really do appreciate all that we do. We're the closest thing to a god or goddess that they've ever seen. While the palace this afternoon I even saw some Hebrew merchants referring to us, or mostly you as a saint. Even people of your own faith think you're amazing."
He was just embarrassing her now. She wanted to crawl under a rock. "Ammon…you're embarrassing me," she stated.
She heard him begin to laugh softly. "I'm sorry. I just want you to understand that you're my equal. Even if you weren't Ladybug, you would be. Morally, you're far nobler than me. I admire you, even more now that I know."
Mazel had to stop this. This was far more than she could handle. "Elisheva, when she was possessed, she told me that Hawkmoth asked her questions about who we were. He knows your Chat Noir…and he knows that I'm a slave girl, though we believe he doesn't know who knows me."
He frowned. "That's not good."
"No, it's not," she agreed. "We need to figure out who he is before he attacks us."
"'Did she see his face? Before she was possessed I mean," he asked.
She shook her head. "He dressed similarly to us. Painted faces. She did say that he was a larger build, though."
"Larger? Like muscle?" he pressed.
"No, more…chubby," she explained. "She said he had a gut, similar to what some nobles, older nobles have."
"Why are you so sure it's a nobleman?" he stated curiously.
"Have you seen anyone but someone with any sort of wealth who has a gut?" she explained. "Poor people and slaves can hardly afford to eat. Wealthy people can afford to throw away food if they wish," she explained further.
He laughed, the reality hitting him. "Good point."
"That's all Elisheva had," she finished explaining. "As an Akuma, she got a little excited to get started and that's when she came after us."
She couldn't look at him anymore, but she heard him sigh. "Things are getting complicated."
"Yeah," she agreed. "So many Akuma in such a short amount of time. It's hard to keep up."
"The responsibility of being a guardian is a lot on our shoulders, our identities being discovered to each other, and Hawkmoth. Paperwork, my father pressing me to spend time with more noblewoman. My incessant growing feelings, a noble girl's annoying crush, my aunt's health, worrying about you. It's a lot sometimes," he stated. Though his voice was low and normally would have been just heard as mumbling to a normal person's hearing, most of it was heard by Ladybug.
She wondered if she could get away with pretending that she didn't hear him. He had said a lot just now, and she didn't understand what half of it meant. She must have made a confused face because he spoke. "I'm sorry, that's a lot for you to hear isn't it? I just have a lot going on up here," he finished his statement by pointing to his head."
"N-no, it's fine," she replied. "I've had a lot going on too."
"So…what did you think?" he asked. "When you found out I was Chat Noir."
She had hoped that he was done with this conversation, but he wasn't letting it go it seemed. "Surprised I guess," she stated.
"Surprised could mean a lot," he stated factly. He winked at her. "Explain yourself."
She narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "All I could think about was not acting surprised. I didn't know you well. So I wasn't thinking about anything else."
He leaned closer to her. This caused her heartbeat to quicken. "I think you're lying."
"I'm not!" she cried. And she meant it. He wasn't so sure, and still leaned over to her. "Ammon, I honestly was just thinking about protecting my identity. I didn't want you to know."
He stopped his advances, but still he leaned over her. "Well, if you insist on it, I guess I'll just take your word for it."
She felt uncomfortable with his closeness and climbed to her feet. She brushed herself off and turned away from him. She heard him shift and climb to his feet also. She looked at him from over her shoulder. "I'm going now, I need some rest. I have to check on Elisheva and I have to work the fields in the morning."
She noticed a glint of sadness in his eyes, but she didn't let it sway her. I had been a long couple of days and she was exhausted. Just because he wanted her to stay so he could tease her doesn't mean she would. "Good night…kitten."
She saw him smile a little, but she didn't stick around, and she disappeared over the edge of the temple.
8 8 8
Ammon hadn't slept soundly at all. He had woken up and tossed and turned most of the night. He had been replaying the last few days over and over again in his head. More times than he could ever count. The Akuma battles aside, he was thinking about Mazel, and discovering that she was Ladybug. He was thinking about it obsessively. In one identity reveal, Mazel had turned Chat Noir into a flirting fiend once again. And still, she tried to play it off. Mazel continued to seemly be not interested in him, but as usual, he kept at it like an idiot.
He felt movement around him, and he shifted to look at Plagg who had just woken up and his green eyes stared at him in the darkness of the early morning. The Kwami gave a catlike a yawn and stretched out before he began to float in mid-air.
"You're up early," Ammon stated.
Plagg still seemed mostly still sleepy. "I slept enough."
Ammon drew back his Egyptian cotton bed sheet, and threw his feet over the edge of the bed. He pushed himself off of his mattress, and stood up right. He stretched, and relaxed his body once again. He walked over to his window, and looked out over the fields. All of the slaves were already at work. There were too many out there to notice if Mazel was already at work, but he imagined that she had already been at work for several hours. Plagg joined him by the window and looked out over the fields too.
"The air smells clean," Plagg stated. "Not an ounce of negativity that I can sense. Perhaps we'll get through a day without an Akuma attack."
Ammon wasn't completely sure he could trust Plagg's sense about that, but he was hopeful. "That would be a nice change of pace."
He heard shifting behind him, and Plagg dove out of the window to hide. Ammon turned around and saw Luziga standing in the doorway. She bowed when he noticed her. "Good morning, Master Ammon."
"Luziga, good morning," he greeted.
"Your father asked me to come wake you, as you have guests coming for breakfast," she explained.
He turned fully around now, and gave her a questionable look. She shrugged. "I didn't ask who, Master Ammon, as it is not my place."
He nodded slowly. "No, I understand. It's just twice now my father didn't warn me about such a visit. It's unlike him. Tell him I'll be out in a few."
"Yes, Master," she replied. She gave another quick bow and left the bedroom for the center room. Plagg quickly reappeared back into the bedroom beside Ammon. He looked back out the window, and back at Ammon.
"I don't see anyone approaching," Plagg explained.
Ammon moved over to his dressing table, and quickly threw on some of perfumes, and then he prepared his wig, giving it a good brushing. He prepared to put it on his head, and before it was placed down, Plagg quickly jumped into the wig, and Ammon placed the wig down, hiding him underneath. He didn't have time to apply any of the makeup that he normally would have taken a moment to apply, and instead, moved into the center room, where his father and step mother were already sitting at the table, waiting for him. Ammon took a seat at his usual place, and looked over to his father. "Good morning, father."
Shen looked at his son, and then to his wife, before he looked back to Ammon. "I have Abukakar and his family coming over for breakfast again this morning."
Ammon had a feeling it was that man again. That meant that Hatshepsut would be in attendance more than likely. Ammon fought the frown that was threatening to show his distaste of a repeat of that visit. "Talking about business this time?" Ammon inquired.
Shen shrugged his shoulders. "You could say that. A contract, yes."
"For what?" Ammon pressed. "A percentage to be allowed to sell to the palace?"
"Oh, no, nothing like that," Shen stated.
It hardly seemed worth having a guest over to form a contract if that for that Ammon thought. There had bene many families of other farms who had tried to make a deal with Shen over the years for a percentage and permission to trade with the palace. He gave his father a questionable look. "I don't understand."
Ammon wasn't able to ask any more questions as their guests had arrived. Akela invited them to the table, and they took their seats. Quickly the servants descended on the table and began to pour water, and serve the fruits and breads. Hatshepsut had taken her seat next to him and was already busy trying to strike up a conversation with Ammon. He felt instantly uncomfortable. He tried to be polite, but he still kept his eyes on his father, who was busy speaking to Abukakar in a hushed tone. Ammon narrowed his eyes at his father, sending a glare his way.
Hatshepsut looked at him questionably. "Master Ammon, what is wrong?"
"It's my father, he's being secretive about this whole business meeting," Ammon stated. "And I don't trust him."
"Business meeting?" she asked.
"Yes, he won't tell me what is going on, and I find it rather distasteful," he explained to her.
"Distasteful? Do you find our arrangement distasteful?" she asked.
He wasn't sure he heard correctly, but as he looked at her, and her eyes stared at him wide eyed. He instantly could see some hurt, but before he could say anything or question her further, she turned to her plate of food and began to ignore him. The word arrangement echoed in his ears. His father couldn't have possibly decided to set up a marriage arrangement without even telling him.
He couldn't have. Such an arrangement couldn't be made without both him and Hatshepsut's consent. And no Marriage contract could be written in such circumstances either. Why would his father want him to marry all of a sudden? No such conversation had ever been brought up in the past. And he had serious intention of getting married, especially to Hatshepsut. There was nothing wrong with her. She was pretty enough, and seemed nice enough. And there was no doubt that she was a proper Egyptian lady, but…
'Mazel,' he thought.
There was Mazel.
He took in a sharp breath as he felt a painful tug in his heart. He knew why. He loved the slave girl. He knew for a while now. Though, the thought of marrying Mazel hadn't crossed his mind until now, the idea had now been planted. He looked down at his lap as a heavy weight seemed to be placed on his shoulders. Could he marry her? Hell, would she even marry him?
"Ammon," he heard his father's sharp voice. His attention was drawn back to reality, where his father, Abukakar and everyone else at the table were staring at him.
"Yes, father?" Ammon asked. "What is it?"
"I asked why you said such a thing to Lady Hatshepsut?" Ammon stared at his father in silence for several minutes. His father and the rest of the table had heard what he said about the distasteful arrangement. Ammon opened his mouth, but no words escaped. He father stood. "You will apologize to your wife-to-be."
"No," Ammon replied. "I won't. You tried to make this arrangement behind my back. Without even telling me. Yet you tell her. That is entrapment, and I will not be married off to someone I barely even know and without my express interest to begin with."
Ammon now stood, having lost his appetite for breakfast. Shen was very upset now, showing his rare angry side. An emotion that Ammon hadn't seen his father express in many years. So when he saw it, Ammon knew he needed to get away. Anger filled him. He turned his back on his father, and left the center room. He left out the front entrance, and allowed himself to get lost within the city. Where he was going, he had no idea. All he knew was, he felt a sting of betrayal run through him. How could his father do this to him?
8 8 8
Mazel felt Tikki tickle her thigh, which the Kwami only did when she was trying to get her attention from her hiding spot. She stopped her work, and looked around. It took her only a moment to spot Ammon leaving his home. Mazel was sure this was why Tikki wanted her attention drawn from work, but she wasn't sure why. She hadn't noticed any disturbances so she doubted that there was an Akuma nearby.
Why did Tikki want her to know Ammon was leaving the farm? Tikki wouldn't just do this. She whispered under her breath. "Tikki, if that was on purpose and you want me to go after him, tickle me again."
She felt Tikki's tiny paws tickle her thigh once again, and she knew that it was no mistake. Tikki wanted her to go after him. She bit her lips nervously, and began to leave the fields. She continued to hold the animal bladder canteen she had been using to water the plants and moved. She quickly escaped the fields, and began to follow him.
He didn't seem to be going anywhere in particular, but she still followed behind. She noticed immediately that he was walking strangely. Stumbling a little bit from side to side. Was he drunk?
"Ammon!" she called out to him. They were down a less crowded street now, and he stopped in the middle of the road and turned around. When she saw his face, he looked angry. She froze. "Ammon?" She approached him. "Are you alright?"
He seemed angry, but he didn't say anything. She stopped in front of him, and she reached for him. She placed a hand on his shoulder. He flinched, and she froze when she did that. "I-I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you. What happened?"
"My father," he said. Thought it was just below a whisper. His eyes seemed glazed over, and he never once actually looked at her. "Betrayed me."
"How?" she asked. "What did Master Shen do?"
She felt Tikki poking her, she supposed to warn her that she felt something especially wrong with Ammon. She didn't need Tikki to tell her that. She knew that something especially upsetting was wrong with Ammon.
"Arrangement without me," he whispered.
"He made an arranged marriage for you without even telling you? How awful."
It wasn't Mazel who spoke. The voice was deep, but was also sweet and welcoming like honey. Though a chill still went up Mazel's spine. She looked over Ammon's shoulder, and she saw a finely dressed Egyptian man staring at them. His Egyptian kilt and make up was all done up in purples, and painted across his face, hiding his identity. Mazel felt her breath catch in her throat. She knew who this was. It was Hawkmoth. And he was here for Ammon.
"It was awful…I don't love her. I want to marry the one I love," Ammon turned his back to Mazel, and was now facing Hawkmoth.
"If you come with me, then I will give you the power to get revenge on your awful father, and you can marry the girl you love. There will be no question about it," Hawkmoth told Ammon.
Mazel's heart was racing in her chest, and she felt sick to her stomach. Ammon began to take a step forward, and Mazel knew she had to act to save him. She grabbed him by the hand. "N-No! Ammon, you can't! Don't!"
He froze and he glanced back at her. His eye still held no emotion. She felt her eyes begin to burn. She didn't know what she would do if she had to face him in battle to free him. He was her partner and friend. She didn't want to lose him. He was so important to her. She pulled him back towards him, and she brought him into a tight embrace. "Don't leave me."
She felt him flinch once again, but there was something else. His arms moved around her, and he lightly held her. She felt an unexpected warm fill her. A smile fell on her lips.
"No! You want revenge on your father! He betrayed you and your trust! Come with me and I will make sure he pays for his sins!"
"Ammon, don't listen to him. Yes, arranging a marriage without telling you is awful, and unforgiveable, but you can't harm your father because of it. You need to talk to him about it. Tell him why you don't want an arranged marriage. I don't have parents, and I would do anything to have them back. Don't harm the only parent you have left! You will regret it every single day of your life!"
She felt him shift his weight, and he was beginning to lean on her. She squeezed him, tightening her grip on him. "I'll always be here for you, Ammon. You don't need his help. You can face this. I'll face this with you."
There was a sudden breeze that picked up, and it blew dust around. Mazel released Ammon long enough to shield her eyes. Though, Ammon moved too, this time, moving his own body to shield her from the blowing sand. She gasped as she looked up at him. When their eyes met, her eyes went wide. He was staring right at her. They weren't glazed over or dead looking. They were just his normal eyes. Though he was perhaps uncomfortably close.
She glanced away, if only long enough to see that Hawkmoth was gone and they were alone. She looked back at him. "He's gone."
He had no words. He just took hold of her, and with a swift and painless motion, he had her pressed up against one of the buildings. He suddenly towered over her. Their sudden position made her cheeks go red. "A-Ammon," she gasped. "What are you doing?"
"Thanking you for saving me," he replied. He used one hand to cup her face, which just made her cheeks heat up even more.
"I-It was nothing," she replied. "No need to thank me."
His body was pressed up against hers, trapping her against him and the building. Normally she would be freaking out, but an unknown feeling filled her. The heat from her stomach had now spread throughout her body. She didn't know if she was alright with this or not. One part of her reminded herself that she was a slave and this wasn't right. The other half screamed at her and told her to stay and enjoy. But enjoy what she didn't know. Her body began to ache and tremble.
"So…about the arrangement, who did your father try and set it up with?"
"Hatshepsut, the girl who was possessed and became Bastet," he answered. He tilted her face up, and another feeling she didn't know began to fill her. It felt hot and like it was a boiling pot that was about to boil over.
"Oh…" she whispered. "That noble girl…he said there was someone else you wanted to marry…w-who is that?"
She was surprised that she was even asking that question. Even more at how much the possible answer began to cause a pain in her heart.
"I thought that was obvious by now," he told her. She didn't have time to react before his mouth was on hers. She felt that bubbling feeling inside her explode, and her eyes closed. Her arms were around him, and his around her waist. His lips moved across her mouth in a way she never knew was possible, and it gave her body a feeling she never knew it could feel.
Her back arched and she pressed her body up against his, leaving no space between them. His taste is what surprised her the most. He tasted like melon. Sweet, sweet melon that she hadn't tasted in months. Not since that day she began to work in the house and they came face to face. His lips just tasted so good. So when they parted, Mazel was the first to react, letting out a disappointed moan when the sweetness disappeared.
It took Mazel several moments before she was brought back to reality. Ammon had just admitted that he wanted to marry her. Reality came crashing down, and any fuzzy feelings she had a moment earlier, were gone, and her body ran cold now. He didn't seem to feel the same. He moved in again, and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Mazel, I'm in love with you. I have been for a long time, and I don't want a life without you. Please marry me."
Mazel could feel Tikki vibrating with excitement in her little pouch, but she didn't feel the same. She looked down, breaking their eye contact. "I can't."
"Why not?" he asked. He was upset, nor did he seem surprised. He just wanted an answer.
"I'm not worthy," she said. "I was born a Hebrew, and I was turned into a slave. I will die a Hebrew slave. I won't give up my heritage to trade that."
"I don't care if you believe in a different god," he told her. "I won't ask you to give that up. Ever."
Mazel broke free from him. "Your father would never allow it. Neither would your Uncle. And you know that."
She saw the look in his eyes change. They were sad, but she knew that he knew she was right. His uncle would forbid it. Not without her converting to a full Egyptian and forsake her heritage. Mazel was much too proud to do that. He nodded. "Alright…but…"
She had been ready to leave, but she looked back at him. "But what?"
"If I find a way…will you be my wife?" he said. "I need to know Mazel, if I found a way so that even my Uncle, the Pharaoh would allow us to marry with you still practicing your faith…would you marry me? I'll pay off all your debts and your sisters. I'd make sure she would be taken care of and neither of you would have a want or care in the world."
She knew she had to say no, but she just couldn't bring herself to hurt him like that. "If you can find a way to do all that, and have the Pharaoh's blessing on my condition of faith…then I will marry you."
A/N: So like…90% of this chapter wasn't supposed to happen. Literally the writing gods took over and this happened. So yeah…I got some major rewrite to do now.
Maybe I'm just excited about my own wedding…but damnnnnnn. Thoughts? Comments? Share them! I probably won't update until after the wedding November 5th…so until next time my lovelies!