A/N: So if anyone is uncomfortable with personal grooming in detail, you might wanna just skim the second scene in this chapter.

So they used Pumice stones. You know the kind you see with foot care at the stores, to rub body hair off. Hebrew's didn't practice this. So Ammon is pretty much hairless. Everywhere. No pubic hair what so ever. No armpit hair. Mazel has hair everywhere a woman can grow hair. It was normal back then, just not in Egypt. They viewed it as unclean. While say, Greece saw it as all natural and beautiful. So to most people in Egypt, Mazel would appear to care for her appearance very little.

They also used a cream that basically burns the hair off your body. It's Nair basically. Except...it was made of some pretty scary stuff. Usually a mix of arsenic, quicklime, and starch. They basically poisoned the hair off their bodies.

Also! The origin of the word cooties! It was the Egyptian word for lice! So you actually can catch cooties! Fun facts!

Chapter 26

Mazel had never been one to sleep much. She often got no more than six hours a night. She had been this way as long as she could remember. It was just normal for her. She usually would climb out of bed and go for a walk near the Nile, or sit on the rock outside and get lost deep in thought.

Tonight was not one of those nights. While it was certainly true that she hadn't been able to sleep a wink that evening, it wasn't like other evenings. Mazel stayed on her mat most of the night. The exhausted Tikki sleeping soundly next to her. The sound of Elisheva and Tikki's soft snores the only sound present. Though the sounds were calming and relaxed her, she had been still unable to sleep.

She had plenty on her mind, and it kept her from being able to actually fall into a blissful slumber.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of the events of the last few days. Hawkmoth escaping, and would probably be back with another new Akuma anytime now. The Pharaoh who had tried to murder Ladybug and Chat Noir in his grief over his dearly departed wife. The two slave girl's freedom being granted to them. A once in a lifetime employment opportunity. Her former master's blessing in a marriage to his son. And Ammon.

Ammon.

That was a topic that plagued her the most. She had so many thoughts about him filling her head to the point of giving her a headache. Yet there was no clear answer to any of the thoughts she had about the nobleman.

There was no doubt that they were friends. She trusted him. Far more than she trusted most other people. She trusted that as long as he was alive, he would be there to fight by her side. And he was just as dedicated to protecting the city as she was. He cared about Elisheva like she was his own flesh and blood. He was honest, intelligent and had bravery that surpassed even her own.

And he wanted to marry her.

She felt her face become hot. She had no answer for him. Many marriages weren't based on love and were marriages of convenience. That was nothing new. A marriage to her former master's son would be such a marriage. He loved her. He would do anything to make her happy. Could he actually make her happy though? She didn't want to bound to someone she didn't love. She only just earned her freedom. And taking a job with the Pharaoh already would limit such freedom. Wouldn't marriage make it all the harder?

She brought her thumb to her mouth and lightly nibbled on the tip. It brought her a light bit of pain. Only just enough to keep her awake as she processed all her thoughts. There was much to think about. And even with a sleepless night, she was no closer. She still didn't know how she felt about him. Whether it be friendship or with loving affection. She didn't know. And she was sure at this point that she would never know.

She rose, giving up on any prospects of sleep that night. She climbed to her feet and decided that it was best if she went out for some fresh and cool air. Surely the cool desert air would calm her unbearably heated body. Whenever she thought of him, her body would heat up as if to torture her thoughts further.

She walked out into the cool night. Tikki was left behind. She knew she just had to call out for Tikki to help her transform and she would appear if she was close enough nearby. The cool air hit her skin, and she instantly felt better. Refreshed even. Some of her probing thoughts, leaving her for now.

She thought that this would be better than laying on her mat. Surely with a change of scenery, she could think about the most pressing matter. Ammon. He hadn't returned from town soon enough for her to see him again before the sisters retired for the night. She was sure he had returned, or Shen would have come to her to ask for him to search for him.

She found that the longer that she was without him, she realized that Tikki had been correct. She did miss him. She missed him even now. How this confused her. She had never been lonely. She liked her time to herself. Especially when she went for her late night walks. This was the loneliest walk she had ever had.

She found herself in front of the main house, staring at it. It was darkened. Only visible because of the bright moonlight. She stood still and stared at it, her eyes still studied every square inch of the outside. Stopping at a dark shape on the roof. She squinted and tried to remember if there was something on Shen's roof or not.

It moved. Surprised, Mazel stepped back. She reached up and gripped her miraculous protectively. Ready for a fight if need be. It jumped off the roof, landing in front of the house. Now closer to her, she was able to make out the shape. Relief fell over her. It was Ammon, transformed. He smiled as he walked to meet her.

Her heart raced as she saw him. While she was relieved that it was him and not an enemy, she wasn't ready to see him. She wanted a little more time to process her thoughts. She gripped her miraculous tighter when he stopped in front of her.

"Can't sleep?" Ammon asked.

She shook her head. "You either?"

"Not a wink," he answered. "I have a lot to think about."

"Y-yeah, me too," she answered honestly.

He looked up at the large beaming moon. "It's been a year you know."

She had no sense of time. As a slave, she didn't really need too. With several accounts, it would make sense for someone like Ammon to have a much better time with dates. "Since you were given your Miraculous?"

He nodded. "It only felt right that I was Chat Noir tonight."

"Is that the business you had to attend to in town? You said you had to see a merchant, but you never came back," Mazel stated.

"I did see a merchant. I decided to enjoy the night. It's been forever since I was able to actually enjoy running through the city as Chat Noir," he explained.

Ammon being here didn't bring any more answers to her million questions to herself, but she would be lying if seeing him now didn't bring some comfort to her. Even as he reached over, and slyly took her hand in his gloved hand. She looked up to meet his gaze. He was smiling. She had never seen him smile like that before. He looked like he was bursting at the seams with happiness.

She wanted to ask him why he seemed so happy, but his expression had rendered her silent. His free hand cupped her other cheek. Despite the cool air, she flushed once again. Her heart was racing. All she could do was stare at him wide-eyed.

"I have a surprise for you," he said. "But I don't know if I want to share it with you now, or tonight. I think it would be better tonight, but I don't know if I can keep it a secret till then."

At any other point of the last year, she would be told him to just spit it out. Knowing now that he was in love with her, she wasn't sure if she wanted a surprise. Not until she had the answers she needed to know. Mazel could only nod.

"I went to see a Hebrew merchant. I had several questions for him. Mainly about your faith," he explained.

She nodded again.

"To put it simply, if you want to, you're welcome with open arms to be part of their ceremonies every week," he stated. He was smiling, and she was only able to stare at him. She couldn't process such thoughts.

"I'm sorry, but what? Their ceremonies...do you mean...proper worship? I-I can properly worship my God?" she gasped.

Now he nodded.

She let out a gasp. She pulled away from his affectionate hold, but she placed a hand on his shoulder as she took in the information. She thought her legs may give way. "W-Why would you do that?"

He seemed surprised by such a question. "Because I just want you to be happy."

Her words were caught in her throat. How could she say anything in return? She doubted there was anything she could say. Her mind raced. And as she stood there looking up at him, he continued to smile, just as before. Ready to burst.

"Anything else?" she asked.

"It can wait," he assured.

"Ammon..." she said.

"Hmm?"

She had said his name, but really she had no idea what she could say. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it when she continued to be unable to form a sentence. She looked away from him, biting her lip. She felt his hand on her mid back. His hand, despite wearing a glove, he felt warm. She felt his claws run along her backside, sending shivers down her spine. It must have been on purpose because when she looked up their eyes met. She let out a gasp. He was leaning forward. He was so close. She could feel his warm breath on her face.

"What are you thinking Lady Goddess?" he asked.

If she was transformed, she would have been brave enough to push him away with a playful rebuttal, but as herself, she didn't dare even move. "I'm thinking about...you."

It was honest, but it was vague. And they both knew it. He chuckled. "I figured as much. But what specifically?"

"How I feel?"

He nodded. "Still trying to figure it all out?"

She bit her lip nervously again. "Yeah..."

"Any closer?" The look on her face must have been an animal cornered because his warm hand left her back, and he stepped away. "You can take as long as you need to figure it out. I'd wait years for an answer. But, I will admit, I will do everything in my power to along to way to make you fall for me."

Despite her conflicting thoughts, Mazel did laugh. He seemed surprised by her actions, but she smiled at him. "Sorry...but that's such a Chat Noir thing to say."

"Well, it's a good thing I am Chat Noir."

They were now silent, but it wasn't awkward. He had reminded her that she didn't have to be nervous around him. And she didn't anymore. The nervousness in the pit of her stomach was still present, but instead of it being in the pit of her stomach, it seemed to have risen, and instead of making her feel a pained chill instead, she felt light and warm. She was going to excuse herself back to her hut, but the kitten was too quick, and he leaned in and placed a quick peck on her lips. He pulled away and spoke. "You should get some rest. I should do the same."

She felt stupefied by his actions. She could only nod in agreement. "I-I'll see you tonight?"

"Of course. Our big party, wouldn't miss it," he stated.

He left her side. And with a quick sprint, she watched as his silhouette leaped through his bedroom window with all the grace of a cat. She giggled. "Show off."

But then the emptiness she felt when he left earlier this evening returned. She missed him already. She wanted to go to him. She knew how improper that was. Visiting a man in the middle of the night in his bedroom. Her heart raced as an image of how such an unpure visit would end.

She took a step back and then turned around. With her own sprint, she headed back to her hut. No doubt for a second round of sleeplessness.

8 8 8

When the sun began to turn the sky orange, Akela and Elisheva came to get Mazel. She had been offered the day off, seeing as she was seen as a living goddess. Still, she worked the fields, having no idea what she could do with her day. She had earned her freedom, but she couldn't possibly spend the day idle. The thought of a full night followed by a day thinking any more about her and Ammon was making her head spin. Any more and she felt she may lose her mind.

So when the two came to fetch her, she felt her shortly forgotten nervousness return. She was guided to the palace, where more servants greeted them at the front. They bowed and guided them to a small room. It was there where Mazel's nervousness was once again forgotten about because she now felt extremely self-conscious. They stripped her of her loin cloth. They even removed the little harness around her leg that usually housed Tikki in her little pouch. Tikki wasn't in it anyway.

It had become a ritual for her in the last year to hide Tikki in there. The servants had drawn her up a bath in a huge clay bath. It was filled with water and had a strong scent. The palace servants walked her into the bath. She was going to clean herself, but the servants followed her into the bath, and with their cotton clothes, began to scrub down her body. She stiffened in surprise and felt instantly uncomfortable. She tried to protest, but they stated it was Pharaoh Tutankhamen's orders. She yelped as they washed every inch of her body. Even her most intimate of places. This may have been a custom of Egypt, but she was no Egyptian.

Her dread only worsened when she saw the servants reach for Pumice stones. They wouldn't dare! Shy and not one to create conflict, Mazel took it. They lifted her arms, and with the rough stones began to rub it against her armpits. At first, it felt like a pleasant scratch, but then as her natural armpit hair was being rubbed off, she hissed out in pain. She did her best to hang on, even as they moved down her arms. Then her legs. Then they asked her to part her legs.

She shook her head. She felt so embarrassed. Being naked in front of strangers of horrible enough, but now they were kneeling down in front of the most private place on her body. She readied herself for the pain from the stone, but to her pleasant surprise, they had put the stones down, and now had a jar of cream. They gathered a bunch of it in her hands, and without warning, they began to rub it down over her natural curls between her legs. It felt cool at first, and then it began to feel itchy. Within a few minutes, she let out a sharp cry. She felt like someone had placed a hot torch to her body.

She nearly dropped to her knees, but the servants grabbed her by the arms and held her up. "Just a few more minutes Ladybug," they urged. "Hold on."

She cried out. It burned so much. She wanted nothing more than to sit in the knee deep water and wash away the burning cream. But she held on. Finally, the woman began to lower her into the water. It soothed her body a little bit, but it still burned. She was in enough pain, that as one servant used her cloth in the water to rub away the cream, she didn't feel nearly as embarrassed as she did earlier. She was just relieved it was over.

The woman then began to lather up the ash they were going to use as soap and began to clean her body. She wasn't focused on that. She was looking at the chunks of her hair that was once a part of her groin. She was disturbed at the sight. She turned to look at another servant who was approaching her with a jar of that cream once again.

She pushed off the servants and leaped to her feet. "What is that for?!" she cried.

They looked at her confused. "It's for your hair," one answered.

"You got all my body hair!" she cried.

"B-But Ladybug, your hair," another said as she pointed to her shoulder length hair.

Her hand reached up to touch her brown hair. She gave them a horrified look. "You are not doing anything to my hair."

"It's the Pharaoh's orders," they retorted.

She narrowed her eyes. "You will not come near me with that stuff. My head of hair stays. You have already defiled my body as is! My hair I keep!"

They were stunned of what Mazel had told them. She knew that they thought all the hair on her body was dirty. Including her hair on her head. She was sure her God gave exactly what he always intended for her to have. Her brown hair included.

Akela who had been watching the scene stepped forward. "Mazel has every right to keep her hair. It's her body."

"B-But, she was a field slave! She has lice," one servant replied.

Akela glared at the servant. "So? Many people of Egypt have lice. Including those who 'bath' every day."

"B-But Ladybug can't be seen with a head of lice," another exclaimed.

Akela sighed. "Mazel, would you wear a wig? Just for tonight?"

"I-If they don't shave my head, I'll wear a wig," she explained.

The servants looked defeated. They finished their washing and took Mazel out of the tub. They began to dress her. They placed her into the finest Egyptian cotton. Just like the one she wore the night before. Seer, leaving nothing to the imagination. They began to do her up. Make-up, powders, and perfumes. She had just been washed, but she already felt like she needed to return to the tub to wash the layers of itchy makeup.

Then came the jewelry. Mazel had only seen so much gold on the queen. After they tied back her hair and placed a black wig, chin length to her head. They added a headpiece, decorated in gold scarab beetles. Then a golden arm cuff that hugged her upper arms. Rings, and a large choker that was even larger than the one her miraculous appeared to be when she transformed into Ladybug. She wanted to disappear when the servants began to gush at her appearance.

When they brought her a mirror and held it before her, she wanted to flee from the palace. She didn't recognize the woman staring back at her. She looked like a queen of Egypt. She didn't like it. She thanked the servants for their hard work. They left her, to complete other duties they had for the party.

She looked back at Akela and Elisheva. Akela shook her head. "So over the top. This isn't you at all."

Elisheva seemed to agree. "You look really pretty...but you don't look like the same person."

Mazel nodded in agreement. She hated this. She felt like they were trying to erase who she was. Make her into an Egyptian goddess. She wasn't. And she didn't want to be.

"You two go on ahead, enjoy the party. I'll be out in a few minutes."

The two complied.

She was left alone with Tikki. She took a seat by the window. Tikki floated down and sat in Mazel's lap. The little kwami dared not say a word. She could feel everything her user was feeling. She wanted to comfort her but knew that Mazel needed to figure out everything for herself. She had to figure this out for herself.

8 8 8

Ammon had been at the palace most of the day. He had been getting the royal treatment. He had his hair shaved, and had been given a new wig. His being lost in the last battle. He was dressed in only the finest. He enjoyed being pampered in such a way. He was ready for the party tonight but wanted to speak to his uncle first.

He went to his uncle's bedroom, where he was being prepped for the party that night. When he entered, he found the Pharaoh getting the last of his jewels and his headpiece added. He turned when he saw Ammon. He smiled. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Ammon answered.

"Excited for tonight?" he asked his nephew.

"Of course. I haven't been to one of your celebrations in so long. It's just what I need," Ammon answered.

"And have you seen Mazel yet?" he asked.

Ammon shook his head. "No. Have you?"

"No, but my servants should be done with her now. I gave special orders to do her up like a queen. It's the best I could order since you two aren't actual gods," Tutankhamun sighed.

Ammon wanted to talk to his uncle and found the words he wanted to say. "Would...well, Pharaoh, I want to marry Mazel."

He heard his uncle chuckle. "Your father told me. You have my blessing."

"Well, I will only marry her with her consent. We have terms that need to be filled before she'll consider it. I...I want her to be permitted to practice her faith if we marry."

He could have sworn his uncle's eyeballs were going to fall out with how wide they became. "W-What?"

"Mazel is a Hebrew. Through and through. I respect that, just as much as she respects that I'm Egyptian. I love her, just as much as you loved and still love Ankhesenamum. I would do anything for her, but I want her to be allowed to practice her religion as she sees fit. I have already found a place she can worship," he stated firmly to his uncle.

He was silent as he stared at Ammon. He knew that couldn't be good. He knew that regardless he would help Mazel worship how she wanted. Even if he had to help her do it in secret.

"That will reflect badly on you socially," Tutankhamun flatly stated. "Could you handle that?"

Ammon sighed. "If it was a year ago, I couldn't. But it's just not that important to me anymore. I want Mazel to be in my life, as a wife, or just a friend if that's all she'll offer me. She's more important than how society views us."

Tutankhamun laughed to himself. "You're just like my late wife. Stubborn, and you both viewed our world very differently. If my dear wife was here now, she'd be urging me to let you. I know that would make her happy. So, you have my blessing, and my permission for her to worship the Hebrew God."

Ammon couldn't believe how wide his smile was. "Thank you, Pharaoh! If you'll excuse me, I must tell her immediately!"

He laughed again. "Don't be too late for the party."

"I won't!"

Ammon was already down the hall, running in the direction of the room he knew Mazel would be getting ready in. Plagg, who had been in the hall enjoying a piece of cheese a servant had offered him, hurried after the young man.

Ammon stopped when he reached the door. He peered inside. He could see a female figure sitting by the window, her back to the door. He walked in and tried to figure out if it was Mazel or not. From behind it looked nothing like her. Her hair was shorter and black. It was the red kwami in her lap that gave it away. Tikki peered over and floated up. That caught Mazel's attention, as she turned to look back at Ammon.

His breath got caught in his throat. He could only stare in awe. He thought Mazel was attractive, but she looked like an actual goddess. She was stunning. Any Egyptian goddess would be jealous. Hell, if he could guess, he would say that every goddess in the afterlife was jealous of her.

The only thing preventing her from utter perfection was that she was frowning. It tugged at his heart, and he was by her side. "Mazel, what's wrong?"

She looked down. "This doesn't feel right."

He couldn't deny that despite how beautiful she looked, Mazel barely looked like herself. He reached for her chin, and with the tips of his fingers, he drew her up to look at him. He could see tears stinging the corners of her eyes. He frowned.

"You look beautiful," he said. "But I understand this is uncomfortable for you." She nodded. Her tears fell. "Hey now!" he cried.

He turned from her long enough to find one of the clothes. He dipped it in some cool water from a wash basin nearby. He rung it out and pressed the cool cloth to her heated face. "Close your eyes," he ordered.

She did. And with a gentle swipe, he began to clean her face. He started with her tears, but then he continued over her eyes. He wiped the charcoal they put over her eyes. Then the powder. Soon, he had wiped her entire face clean.

She opened her eyes, staring at him. Surprised. He gave her a smile. Then he reached up and removed the headpiece. He put it aside. Then the choker. He took her hands in his and removed the rings. Then he removed the arm bands. He tossed them aside as if they were of no importance. Then he reached for her head. He slipped off the wig with the utmost care. He tossed it aside too.

His fingers found their way to the string they used to tie her hair back. He tugged at the knot and freed her hair. It fell around her, hugging her face. She was blinking, stunned by his actions.

"Why?"

"Because you weren't happy," he answered.

"B-But, the party. I can't go out like this!" she cried.

He shrugged. "You don't have to. Why don't we both just transform? Go out as Ladybug and Chat Noir. Would that help you feel more comfortable?"

She couldn't even nod. She just stared at him in stunned silence. Her eyes were wide. He didn't know what was going on in her head at this moment. If he could read minds, he would have heard her fighting with herself.

Mazel didn't realize how kind he really was until he had undressed her and cleaned her face. She had been dressed as a queen, and was being given a great honor that evening, and was expected to be as regal as the goddess many still believed her to be. He suggested they go as their other selves.

The actions made her heart race and filled her with that unfamiliar warmth again. She didn't know anymore. She didn't understand. She had heard him tell her he loved her several times now. And she had heard him describe to her why he cared about her. Yet she hadn't fully taken all of that in. These actions really hit home for her. She could feel how much he loved her. She could feel it. It was everything she had felt before but didn't understand. Until now.

She lit up, smiling at him. She could sense his relieve when she smiled. He broke his eye contact, long enough to reach for Plagg, and transform with a flash. Mazel still had her eyes on him. "Tikki, transform me."

The flash of light was barely dissipated when she had jumped into his arms. "Maze-"

He was cut off by her mouth on his. He didn't seem to mind, as his arms were around her, pulling her body to his, molding them together. Their mouths moving across the other, exploring each other for the first time. Mazel's hands were around his neck, holding the back of his neck, pulling him to her. No matter how pressed against the other they were, it just didn't feel close enough.

For the first time in her life, she cursed her God for giving her the weakness of the need for oxygen, as they broke apart breathless. They were both panting, but their eyes didn't dare part from the other.

"Can...I," he tried to say between pants. "W-What was that all...about?!"

Mazel was still gasping, but she was smiling. Almost giggling. She pulled him into an embrace, and leaned into his ear and whispered. "I'm in love with you."

He pushed her away as if he had been burned. It lasted only a moment. He looked at her as if searching for any sense of a joke. All he saw was her smiling face. He scooped her up and playfully spun her around. She continued to giggle. She had never felt so at peace in her entire life.

He stopped spinning her around but still held her. "Well, I suppose I can share my news with you."

"Oh?" she asked. "The surprise from earlier?"

"Yeah," he smiled.

He placed her down. "I also asked the merchant about marriage. It took some convincing, but he agreed, if you agreed, then he will marry us. I just had to follow some rules."

"Oh?" she raised her eyebrows.

"Well, he explained to me you see, that any children we have, will be Hebrew, no matter what. That it runs through the mother. I agreed that our children would be raised Hebrew. I promise! If that will make you happy, I will let them be raised that way."

She was hardly believing what she was hearing. She was glad to hear that they didn't have to worry about that. But now more thoughts ran through her head. "What would your uncle think?"

He waved off her concern. "I asked him before I came here. He consented. Said my social status would suffer, but I say a life without a happy wife would be worse."

She gasped. "...Ammon..."

"So, I have completely every single task that has been given to me. My fathers, my uncles, and yours. Mazel, I have to know. Will you become my wife?"

Even as Ladybug, she felt her emotions get the better of her. She choked back her tears and nodded. "If you'll have me."

He gave his answer the only way he knew how.

His lips descended upon hers once again.

A/N: OH MY GOD! I will never write anything nearly this good every again! That's it. Nothing will ever top this!

I'll try and update sometime next week. I have another huge week ahead of me.

Don't forget to leave a review. Let me know the feels this brought you! I must feed upon the feels!