Mana could only twist the ring in her finger as she sat alone in the bedroom chamber. Her naked body was covered by the silk bed sheets as her.
These silk sheets were a gift from some foreign dynasty.
Though she wanted to relish just how soft and smooth they felt against her, she couldn't.
Not after what these sheets had just witnessed.
As she continued to twist the ring in her finger, she swore she heard just the faint cry of her husband from miles away. Even though he was just rooms away from her.
He, like her, also detested the omen they just committed.
"For Egypt," was all she could whisper weakly before the royal servants walked in with fresh water and towels.
To clean the blood she had spilled after committing such a sin against the love of her life.
"I beg your pardon Pharaoh?" one of the sacred guardians let out, as the others just stood there in shock.
"I believe I made myself clear. Is there an issue?" Seto shot back.
"Well- it's just that-that- Priestess Mana was-was involved with the late Pharaoh. The people will-"
"The people dare defy the almighty Pharaoh? Ra's reincarnation?" Isis counterattacked, making the Priest shut up.
"I think, my Pharaoh, that your choice is wise. Not only is Priestess Mana of status, but she also is very well advanced in academics, the best magician in the kingdom, and she's of fertile age to give you an heir." another Priest acknowledged making some in the room nod in agreement.
"She would be an excellent choice to serve by your side as Queen of Egypt."
Seto almost flinched at that statement.
"But what about the Persian man's proposal? We will be losing a great deal here." another Priest added.
"From my perspective, I would say that the only one who would lose in that deal is Persia and not us. The Persian empire does not offer us many abundances of products like our neighboring kingdoms nor our land. They need us more than we need them." Seto replied, before adding with a smirk, "Apart from the benefiting of his kingdom, the man would have also gotten to keep Egypt's best magician."
Everyone stayed silent for a minute.
A few claps began before everyone, excluding the Pharaoh, joined.
"We shall announce your engagement tonight Pharaoh! At the royal banquet!"
"Tomorrow you shall be wedded. Just in time for the Bast Festival."
Cheers were heard before the Priests began taking out wax and parchments to make the new ceremonial decree and announcement.
Seto, just standing there. Silent in agony.
Isis just a few feet away from him could see just how tormented he was.
A floor below them, outside the courtyard, a young Priestess was sobbing in front of one of the many palace's vases.
However, this one was different than the rest.
For this vase was the one where she and her lover would hide from the cruel world.
Them against the world.
Now, it was just her against the world.
"My Queen,"
Mana flinched at that title.
The servant coward back.
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to startle you, my Queen. I was just about to ask if you wished to change to a clean nightdress after you bathed. You're stained in blood."
Mana stared at the blood in the sheets and touched it.
Her purity-
Slowly, water began to cloud her vision and breathing became harder for her.
"My Queen! You're crying!" the royal servants noted as they rushed to her side.
"Quick! Grab the Physician! Our Queen is unwell!"
Everyone could be heard panicking, yet Mana couldn't bring herself to answer their questions.
She could barely even acknowledge them.
All she could do was stare at how the ring in her finger was stained by her blood.
She couldn't even keep the Millennium ring pure.
And then, she erupted into sobs, with only a few royal servants in the room witness just how broken their Queen was.
She recalled when she was given the ring.
She memorized that day, like the back of her hand.
She remembered the unfamiliar faces surrounding her.
The only one who she could confine within the guest of people and witnesses was Isis.
Mahad's lover and a dear friend of hers.
She stood with the newly made Sacred guardians. Her Millennium necklace, glowing under Ra so beautiful around her neck.
Then there he was.
The newly-made Pharaoh, sitting on the throne.
The Prince's- well now his Millennium puzzle around his neck as he held his Millennium
rod with his right hand.
"Step forth Mana," Seto announced, making everyone shiver in nerves.
Including her.
Though she felt anxious, Mana would be damned to let her fear stop her. Today was a big day, something Mahad always knew she would be capable of.
Becoming Priestess.
"For Mahad," she whispered to herself as she walked towards Seto, with as much dignity as she was able to.
"Bring me the ring," Seto's voice echoed, and in a matter of seconds, one of the Priest held a small tray made of gold.
The Millenium ring on it.
Seto rose from the throne and took hold of the ring.
Mana didn't need to be told to kneel, she wanted Seto to know that she was ready to fill in for her Master.
Now, until her last breath.
As she was down on one knee, Seto slowly placed the Millennium ring around her.
"With this blessing of mine," he began.
"I, Pharaoh Seto of Egypt, appoint Priestess Mana as the new Guardian of the Millennium ring. May Ra be with you." Seto finished before everyone began to chant.
"Now rise, Priestess Mana," Seto commanded.
Mana lifted her head and met his cold expression.
Yet, deep within his eyes, Mana saw for a second, a flash of proudness.
Mana slowly stood up and turned to face the crowd before taking a bow and walking towards Isis and the other Guardians.
Isis gave her a small smile.
"They would have been proud of you Mana." is all she whispered to her.
"Mana," Isis says, making the newly named Priestess stop.
"Yes?" she asked Isis.
"I know you try to hide it but the Millennium ring size bothers you huh?"
Mana's eyes widened.
"Am I that obvious?"
Isis giggled.
"No. You could have fooled everyone. Except for two people."
"Huh?" Mana let out. "You're telling me that someone else apart from you knows that I secretly complain about the item?"
Again Isis giggled.
"Yes, but he found out before me. That's Pharaoh Seto you know."
Mana almost fainted.
"Well, I just wanted to tell you that I know someone who can alternate the Millenium ring's appearance into an actual ring for you. It can still be turned back to its previous form, don't worry." Isis says.
Mana thinks for a moment. Though she wanted to keep it at its current form, as Mahad used it, it did have a heavyweight on her.
"You said it can be turned back to its original form?"
"Yes, whenever you desire."
Ah, yes. That would be perfect. She would use it as a ring when she would be alone and its normal appearance in public appearance.
"Thank you, Isis. I appreciate this deeply."
"Anytime Mana."