Disclaimer: Not mine.
Thank you for the reviews. Here's da next chapter. Enjoy! ( oh yah, Rika isn't reallie a slave... my bad in the summarie)
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Daughter of the Nile
Chapter 2: Queen
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A shaft of sunlight shone through the curtains of the princess suite, illuminating Rika Mystic's face. A quiet command, muffled by the closed door, and a clink of metal outside announced that the guards had been dismissed. The door creaked a little as Yami entered the room. Rika's eyes fluttered opened and she stared at the pharaoh, slowly recalling the events of the previous night.
" A light sleeper, I see."
A slight groan escaped Rika's lips as she sat up on the bed, her eyes squinting in the sunlight. " I'm still alive?"
Yami feigned mock hurt. " What do you mean by that? I always keep my word. Haven't you heard that the pharaoh's word is as good as gold?"
Rika snorted. " Whatever. Gold-plated, more likely."
Yami smirked. It was too bad that she was going to leave. He really did like this one.
" So, what are we going to do this morning?" Rika asked all of a sudden.
" We?"
" Yeah well, I figured that if I was going to be queen, I'd better check things out a bit."
For once in his life, Yami was speechless. " You're staying?" he finally managed to choke out.
" Yeah!" Rika tilted her head. " Don't you want me to stay?" She grinned mischievously.
Yami blushed slightly. " I don't really care." he mumbled to the ground. Rika laughed at his attempt to hide his embarrassment.
When Yami had recovered, he called for a slave and told the boy to bring 'Malik' and 'Bakura'. Soon, two young men, one with long blond hair and one with silver locks, showed up at the door. The blond one grinned at Yami and Rika before bowing deeply.
" Hi Yami! Found another one did you?"
" Ha ha, Malik. This one is here to stay."
Malik's eyebrows shot up. " Indeed? Congratulations my lord." Yami smiled and turned to leave the room.
" Hey wait! Where are you going?"
" Breakfast. Care to join me?"
" Sure, why not."
" Wait, My Lord." Bakura whispered something in his king's ear. Yami glanced at Rika and smiled.
" You're right. Well, I have to go. Seto is waiting. Malik come with me. Will you handle this, Bakura?"
Bakura nodded. " Of course." Yami inclined his head and swept out of the room with Malik following closely behind.
Rika watched this exchange in curiosity. " What was that about?" she asked Bakura, confused. " Why can't I go down too?"
Bakura just smiled and pointed at Rika's gown. " You can't go down in that wear. You have to choose another dress."
Rika flushed. " Oh yeah," she muttered. Bakura led her to the wardrobe. They proceeded to try and find a dress for the future queen. First, she tried on an elegant white dress that flowed behind her in a stream of the finest linen. " Too long." Next was a baby blue dress that came up to her ankles. " Too tight."
Finally, after countless dresses littered the floor, Bakura lost his temper. " Oh for Ra's Sake! Just choose something!!" Even though Rika had only known Bakura for half an hour, she had figured that here was a guy who didn't lose his temper often. When he did, it was safer to poke a poisonous cobra with a stick and then stick your finger in its face.
" Ok," Rika agreed meekly. She walked into the wardrobe and came back out with a short dress, just below the knees with slits. It was white outlined by red, with a red Chinese dragon embroidered on and a Chinese style collar. It went up to about 5 inches of so below her knees. The whole dress was made of silk and showed off her slender figure well.
Bakura quirked an eyebrow. " That's a very unique design."
" Hey, I happen to like dragons!" Rika retorted defensively.
" Right. Shall we go down to breakfast now, My Queen?" Rika laughed. She had a feeling that this was a person she could make friends with easily.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yami walked down the hall briskly, not even realizing that he was smiling, something he rarely did in the morning. Seto met him at the door to the dining hall. " You're looking cheerful today. Let me guess, it's that new slave isn't it?"
Yami nodded as they entered the gigantic room, designed to fit over 1000 people. He sat down at the head of the table, Seto at his right, Shadi next to Seto and Malik took his seat next to Yami on the left. All the people already there rose to greet their sovereign properly, before sitting down again. Servants brought in trays of fresh fruit and steaming bread.
Soon, a slim brunette waltzed over to Yami. She flipped her shoulder- length brown hair and smiled flirtatiously at the young pharaoh. Seto flashed a sympathetic grin at Yami before ducking his head to hide the bigger grin that was slowly spreading across his face. The king glowered at his best friend. Then, he turned his attention to his cousin.
" Good morning Téa," he greeted.
" Good morning Yami." Téa purposely emphasized her cousin's name, knowing that he didn't care for it. And showing everyone how close she was to Yami that he wouldn't chop off her head for calling him that. She was about to say more, however at that moment, Bakura announced Rika's arrival. Yami sighed in relief and stood to meet her.
Rika dipped an elegant curtsey to Yami. Yet, as she turned to Téa, she did not bow at all. Instead, she just smirked and turned away. Téa's eyes flashed at the implied insult while a sulky pout formed on her lips. She walked, or rather stomped, back to take her seat next to Shadi. Yami glanced ironically at Rika as if to say, " Did you have to make an enemy on your first day?" Rika smiled back, her eyes twinkling. " Yes, I did. She pissed me off. Who is she?" Rika whispered.
" Only the daughter of one of my most important officials and my cousin. Her father is my uncle, so she thinks that if she can get me to marry her, I'll make her my High Queen." Rika nodded her head in understanding. " Dream on," Yami muttered under his breath.
Rika stifled her laugh, because they had reached the High Table. Everyone stood up to address their king once again. Seto and Bakura, who had taken his seat next to Malik, smirked at Yami, before standing up. However, since Yami remained standing, no one else dared to sit down.
" My dear subjects," Yami began formally. " You all know that it is tradition for the reigning monarch to choose a High Queen within a year of his crowning. I know that I didn't keep this tradition, but I have decided to choose a High Queen and have done so." A murmur passed through the crowd. Who was she? The name on everyone's tongue was Téa. Had Yami finally decided to take his cousin?
" So tell us who it is already!" Téa called out impatiently.
" The person that I have chosen is this lovely lady." Rika kicked him in the shins at this remark. Yami smirked slightly and continued, ". standing next to me."
The crowd was relieved, but also very surprised. After living with their king for 3 years, they had grown used to surprises but this was something else. They were all glad that it wasn't Téa, but they had not suspected a complete stranger.
" This cannot be!" Téa's shrill voice rang out. " You must be mad! That girl can't be Queen! Why, she is a common slave!"
Rika's eyes flashed, but she held her tongue -barely. " I am pharaoh. I can, and will, choose who I wish to Queen. Are you challenging my decision Téa?" Yami's voice was soft and clipped, his eyes telling everyone that he was furious at this contradiction.
" No, of course not, My King," Téa said, her voice forced. " It's just that it is against tradition for the pharaoh to marry someone who is not of noble descent. Especially a ruffian from the streets."
" Ruffian!?" Rika could hold it in no longer. " If it pleases you, Téa." she spat the name out in hatred. " I would have you address me by My Lady or Queen, not Rika and never 'ruffian' or 'slave'!" Her voice was filled with scorn, but it was well hidden under a mask of grace.
" How dare you!" Téa spluttered in rage. " Father, you will not let her talk to me like that!"
The elderly man beside her looked at his future queen, then back at his daughter. " On the contrary, My Lady is right. You mustn't address our Queen like that."
"But she isn't queen yet!" Téa exclaimed. " Why do you all treat her like she is queen already?"
Bakura had had enough of this. He sighed in exasperation. " That is because, princess, Yami has told us that Rika will be the queen. That is reason enough to start treating her like the queen, unless the pharaoh's word isn't good enough for you?" The people all nodded their agreement.
" Now that that is settled, would you all like to sit down and continue your breakfast?" Seto suggested dryly. Yami smiled and waved everyone to sit down. Only Téa remained on her feet.
Yami looked at his cousin. " Téa, why aren't you sitting? Perhaps, you do not care for my hospitality." His narrowed eyes betrayed his calm teasing voice.
" No, that is not it My Lord. I am simply not hungry. May I be excused?"
Yami nodded, his lips curling in amusement, and Téa stormed out of the hall in a huff.
After that little incident, no one questioned Yami on the subject of Rika again. The rest of morning passed without any mishaps.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
so... Should I continue? How? Leave a suggestion pleaz! Thanx!
Thank you for the reviews. Here's da next chapter. Enjoy! ( oh yah, Rika isn't reallie a slave... my bad in the summarie)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Daughter of the Nile
Chapter 2: Queen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A shaft of sunlight shone through the curtains of the princess suite, illuminating Rika Mystic's face. A quiet command, muffled by the closed door, and a clink of metal outside announced that the guards had been dismissed. The door creaked a little as Yami entered the room. Rika's eyes fluttered opened and she stared at the pharaoh, slowly recalling the events of the previous night.
" A light sleeper, I see."
A slight groan escaped Rika's lips as she sat up on the bed, her eyes squinting in the sunlight. " I'm still alive?"
Yami feigned mock hurt. " What do you mean by that? I always keep my word. Haven't you heard that the pharaoh's word is as good as gold?"
Rika snorted. " Whatever. Gold-plated, more likely."
Yami smirked. It was too bad that she was going to leave. He really did like this one.
" So, what are we going to do this morning?" Rika asked all of a sudden.
" We?"
" Yeah well, I figured that if I was going to be queen, I'd better check things out a bit."
For once in his life, Yami was speechless. " You're staying?" he finally managed to choke out.
" Yeah!" Rika tilted her head. " Don't you want me to stay?" She grinned mischievously.
Yami blushed slightly. " I don't really care." he mumbled to the ground. Rika laughed at his attempt to hide his embarrassment.
When Yami had recovered, he called for a slave and told the boy to bring 'Malik' and 'Bakura'. Soon, two young men, one with long blond hair and one with silver locks, showed up at the door. The blond one grinned at Yami and Rika before bowing deeply.
" Hi Yami! Found another one did you?"
" Ha ha, Malik. This one is here to stay."
Malik's eyebrows shot up. " Indeed? Congratulations my lord." Yami smiled and turned to leave the room.
" Hey wait! Where are you going?"
" Breakfast. Care to join me?"
" Sure, why not."
" Wait, My Lord." Bakura whispered something in his king's ear. Yami glanced at Rika and smiled.
" You're right. Well, I have to go. Seto is waiting. Malik come with me. Will you handle this, Bakura?"
Bakura nodded. " Of course." Yami inclined his head and swept out of the room with Malik following closely behind.
Rika watched this exchange in curiosity. " What was that about?" she asked Bakura, confused. " Why can't I go down too?"
Bakura just smiled and pointed at Rika's gown. " You can't go down in that wear. You have to choose another dress."
Rika flushed. " Oh yeah," she muttered. Bakura led her to the wardrobe. They proceeded to try and find a dress for the future queen. First, she tried on an elegant white dress that flowed behind her in a stream of the finest linen. " Too long." Next was a baby blue dress that came up to her ankles. " Too tight."
Finally, after countless dresses littered the floor, Bakura lost his temper. " Oh for Ra's Sake! Just choose something!!" Even though Rika had only known Bakura for half an hour, she had figured that here was a guy who didn't lose his temper often. When he did, it was safer to poke a poisonous cobra with a stick and then stick your finger in its face.
" Ok," Rika agreed meekly. She walked into the wardrobe and came back out with a short dress, just below the knees with slits. It was white outlined by red, with a red Chinese dragon embroidered on and a Chinese style collar. It went up to about 5 inches of so below her knees. The whole dress was made of silk and showed off her slender figure well.
Bakura quirked an eyebrow. " That's a very unique design."
" Hey, I happen to like dragons!" Rika retorted defensively.
" Right. Shall we go down to breakfast now, My Queen?" Rika laughed. She had a feeling that this was a person she could make friends with easily.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yami walked down the hall briskly, not even realizing that he was smiling, something he rarely did in the morning. Seto met him at the door to the dining hall. " You're looking cheerful today. Let me guess, it's that new slave isn't it?"
Yami nodded as they entered the gigantic room, designed to fit over 1000 people. He sat down at the head of the table, Seto at his right, Shadi next to Seto and Malik took his seat next to Yami on the left. All the people already there rose to greet their sovereign properly, before sitting down again. Servants brought in trays of fresh fruit and steaming bread.
Soon, a slim brunette waltzed over to Yami. She flipped her shoulder- length brown hair and smiled flirtatiously at the young pharaoh. Seto flashed a sympathetic grin at Yami before ducking his head to hide the bigger grin that was slowly spreading across his face. The king glowered at his best friend. Then, he turned his attention to his cousin.
" Good morning Téa," he greeted.
" Good morning Yami." Téa purposely emphasized her cousin's name, knowing that he didn't care for it. And showing everyone how close she was to Yami that he wouldn't chop off her head for calling him that. She was about to say more, however at that moment, Bakura announced Rika's arrival. Yami sighed in relief and stood to meet her.
Rika dipped an elegant curtsey to Yami. Yet, as she turned to Téa, she did not bow at all. Instead, she just smirked and turned away. Téa's eyes flashed at the implied insult while a sulky pout formed on her lips. She walked, or rather stomped, back to take her seat next to Shadi. Yami glanced ironically at Rika as if to say, " Did you have to make an enemy on your first day?" Rika smiled back, her eyes twinkling. " Yes, I did. She pissed me off. Who is she?" Rika whispered.
" Only the daughter of one of my most important officials and my cousin. Her father is my uncle, so she thinks that if she can get me to marry her, I'll make her my High Queen." Rika nodded her head in understanding. " Dream on," Yami muttered under his breath.
Rika stifled her laugh, because they had reached the High Table. Everyone stood up to address their king once again. Seto and Bakura, who had taken his seat next to Malik, smirked at Yami, before standing up. However, since Yami remained standing, no one else dared to sit down.
" My dear subjects," Yami began formally. " You all know that it is tradition for the reigning monarch to choose a High Queen within a year of his crowning. I know that I didn't keep this tradition, but I have decided to choose a High Queen and have done so." A murmur passed through the crowd. Who was she? The name on everyone's tongue was Téa. Had Yami finally decided to take his cousin?
" So tell us who it is already!" Téa called out impatiently.
" The person that I have chosen is this lovely lady." Rika kicked him in the shins at this remark. Yami smirked slightly and continued, ". standing next to me."
The crowd was relieved, but also very surprised. After living with their king for 3 years, they had grown used to surprises but this was something else. They were all glad that it wasn't Téa, but they had not suspected a complete stranger.
" This cannot be!" Téa's shrill voice rang out. " You must be mad! That girl can't be Queen! Why, she is a common slave!"
Rika's eyes flashed, but she held her tongue -barely. " I am pharaoh. I can, and will, choose who I wish to Queen. Are you challenging my decision Téa?" Yami's voice was soft and clipped, his eyes telling everyone that he was furious at this contradiction.
" No, of course not, My King," Téa said, her voice forced. " It's just that it is against tradition for the pharaoh to marry someone who is not of noble descent. Especially a ruffian from the streets."
" Ruffian!?" Rika could hold it in no longer. " If it pleases you, Téa." she spat the name out in hatred. " I would have you address me by My Lady or Queen, not Rika and never 'ruffian' or 'slave'!" Her voice was filled with scorn, but it was well hidden under a mask of grace.
" How dare you!" Téa spluttered in rage. " Father, you will not let her talk to me like that!"
The elderly man beside her looked at his future queen, then back at his daughter. " On the contrary, My Lady is right. You mustn't address our Queen like that."
"But she isn't queen yet!" Téa exclaimed. " Why do you all treat her like she is queen already?"
Bakura had had enough of this. He sighed in exasperation. " That is because, princess, Yami has told us that Rika will be the queen. That is reason enough to start treating her like the queen, unless the pharaoh's word isn't good enough for you?" The people all nodded their agreement.
" Now that that is settled, would you all like to sit down and continue your breakfast?" Seto suggested dryly. Yami smiled and waved everyone to sit down. Only Téa remained on her feet.
Yami looked at his cousin. " Téa, why aren't you sitting? Perhaps, you do not care for my hospitality." His narrowed eyes betrayed his calm teasing voice.
" No, that is not it My Lord. I am simply not hungry. May I be excused?"
Yami nodded, his lips curling in amusement, and Téa stormed out of the hall in a huff.
After that little incident, no one questioned Yami on the subject of Rika again. The rest of morning passed without any mishaps.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
so... Should I continue? How? Leave a suggestion pleaz! Thanx!