Disclaimer: I do not own anything I could be sued for and because some
of this is based off of Much Ado about Nothing by Shakespeare, it might
have some quotes or something similar. I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OF
SHAKESPEARE'S so please don't sue me! -_-;
"Pharaoh," Spark said as he and Pharaoh walked down a small garden after
the meal, skipping the party to catch up onto old times. "I do wish to
discuss other political and pressing matters, but I have noticed my
sister has taken a…notice to Mahaado?"
Pharaoh nodded. "Yes I know what you mean. They do have
certain…interests don't they?" he teased. "As well as Karim and Areia."
Spark grinned. "I don't think that Karim and Areia will have much
trouble…but what would you say if you and I had a bit of fun with
Mahaado and Yeoji?"
Pharaoh eyed Spark. "What kind of fun?" he asked warily.
"Well, it seems to me that if we can get them to realize they really do
love each other, then our countries will be even closer."
Pharaoh grinned and nodded. "We cannot do this alone." He reasoned. "We
will have to enlist the help of others. But I believe they will be
willing enough. What about Boro?"
Spark sighed as he folded his hands behind his back. "Boro may be my
elife, but he has recently been plotting against me, causing trouble for
Yeoji. I have tried to find someone that could protect her, for I fear
for her safety, yet no one can stand against her fiery will. I know that
whoever can make their way into her heart will soon realize she is not
the monster she makes herself out to be."
Pharaoh nodded. "Yes, it seems so. And I feel that once Yeoji sees the
compassion Mahaado carries, they will think differently about each
other."
At that, Pharaoh smiled and put a hand on Spark's shoulder. "That
settles it! Let us go and tell Karim and Areia of our plans. They will
be together soon anyway. You, Karim and I will work on Mahaado, your
ladies of the court and Areia work to Yeoji. And if all goes well, we
shall have two weddings bonding our kingdoms!"
Spark laughed as he nodded. "To long life and health for you my friend!
You may have just saved my sister from sheer danger and a life of
loneliness."
"And to you my old friend." Pharaoh said grinning. "You may have saved
my priest from the same fate."
***
At the hall, dinner was finished and a great party was being held in the
courtyard outside. People were dancing and singing, playing music, and
grabbing masks from a stand next to the musicians. Yeoji and Areia had
gone off together to get a mask while Mahaado and Karim stood back in
the crowd. Boro had gone off to his room, for festivities were not his
strong point.
"Areia!" Yeoji laughed as Areia placed an unhappy mask in front of her
face. "A strange choice for such a happy person!"
Areia giggled as she stole a glance at Karim over Yeoji's shoulder.
Turning back to the stand, she picked up a mask with a very beautiful
face of a young lady on it. "How's this?" she asked. "Do you think
Priest Karim will notice?"
Yeoji rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. "I think he will
notice you better without the mask." She said. "But I am more of an
animal person." And with that, Yeoji plucked out a fox mask that was
yellow as the sun with black tipped ears and put it on. "I think you
should pay Priest Karim a dance for being so kind enough to sit with you
at dinner. And spend some time with him. You'll see me more often than
him."
Areia smiled. "Thank you cousin. I owe you a favor."
Yeoji grinned although the mask hid it. "Good luck." She said as she
watched Areia skip off.
Meanwhile, Karim and Mahaado watched as Yeoji picked up her fox mask.
"Aren't you going to get a mask Mahaado?" Karim asked. "You might have
some fun even with Yeoji around. Maybe you should try to get to know her
better."
Mahaado glared. "I'm not going to commit suicide Karim." He said not
taking his eyes off of Yeoji.
But at that moment, Areia had bounded up them, the lady mask in her
hands. "Priest Karim…?" she stammered, blushing.
As Karim looked at Areia, he bowed. "I would be honored lady, if you
would take me to this dance."
Mahaado made a small "Ugh." Sound as Karim and Areia went off together.
Looking back at the stand, Yeoji was gone, moved on to another part of
the courtyard. Slowly inching his way forward, Mahaado suddenly found
himself at the front of the stand.
All kinds of masks were poking out from the pillar like stand. Some with
happy faces, some with sad, some with long noses, and still other's that
had strange faces. Some animals were there as well, including a frog,
snake, and ibis. However, one caught Mahaado's eye.
A mask, set in the back and behind the others stood a silver fox mask
like the one Yeoji had, but slightly bigger and heavier. Not really in
control of himself, Mahaado slowly reached for the mask and before he
knew what he was doing, put it on and fitted it on his head. As he
stared out through the eyeholes that had been provided, he swept over
the crowd with his eyes. Then with a sharp turn, he swept away into the
crowd.
***
Boro watched the party down below his window; his eyes firmly locked
onto Yeoji. Watching as she put on the fox mask, watching as she talked
to her cousin, watching as she walked off and into the crowd. But also,
Boro was watching Mahaado.
As he watched, a figure came up behind him. He was wearing a red robe
with white cloth around his waist. His arms showed gold armbands with
roses etched in them. "Master?" he asked. "What is your wish to order
your humble servant?"
Boro didn't move as he continued staring out the window. "Barachan, you
know of my feelings for Lady Yeoji do you not?"
Barachan nodded his black hair swaying. "I have heard you speak of her
many times master." He said in his sneering slithering voice. "Is there
a plot you have in mind?"
Boro shook his head. "No. There is nothing I can do to get close to her.
Every time I try, I fail."
Barachan nodded. "Well sir, you could use other hearts as a stepping
stone to get to hers."
Instantly, Boro stared at Barachan. "What do you mean?" he snapped. "I
am in an impatient mood. Spark has been ruler of this kingdom long
enough. And his sister has been without husband for even longer. It is
time I stepped in!"
Then Barachan suddenly found his master pinning him up against the wall,
angrily burning his eyes into his servants. "It should have been mine!
The crown should have gone to me! I am the oldest, I am more powerful! I
should rule Flaim! Why bother with outside kingdoms such as Pharaoh's?
Why, why, why?"
Barachan gasped as his air was slowly being cut off. "Well sir…" he
choked. "I…you…you could manipulate Karim and Areia…then because Areia
and Yeoji are so close…get her heart when it is heavy and sad…it will be
defenseless to your charm!"
Instantly, Barachan found himself on the floor. "That's it!" Boro cried
as he gripped a nearby candle. "That's IT! By ruining the happiness of
that idiot Karim and Areia, I get the heart of Yeoji and then by simply
taking out Spark, I can claim the land of Flaim!"
Turning to Barachan, Boro grinned evilly, "I want you to find a lady
close to the resemblance of Areia, she should not be hard to find. Then
get the lady to wear this cloak. It makes anyone look like anyone you
want it to. Wait until Areia and Karim proclaim their love for each
other and then take her and trick Karim into thinking that what he sees
is Areia with you. That way, no one can testify against us and it will
seem like Areia has committed a sin against the gods themselves. Do you
understand? Go now!"
As Barachan ran out of the room, Boro grinned as he closed the window.
"Soon…soon it will all be mine…"
***
"May I have your attention please?" a voice said above the crowd.
"Everyone who has a mask please put it on and the mystery dancing will
begin! All your masks have a theme to them and you must find the person
with your theme! Well hurry up! The musicians still have music to play!"
Mahaado gulped as he realized what mask he had on. "The fox!" he thought
quickly. "But this means…!"
"Sir?" a voice familiar to Mahaado said behind him.
Turning with the worse fear in mind, Mahaado stared down at Yeoji, who
was smiling, her mask off at the moment. A polite, nice, smile.
Keeping his mask on, Mahaado quickly coughed to disguise his voice
realizing that Yeoji didn't recognize him. "Y-yes?" he coughed roughly.
"I believe we have the same mask theme don't we?"
Yeoji nodded. "Yes, I believe we do. That means we're partners. Will you
join me?"
Mahaado could feel himself getting uncomfortably hot. "Well…yes…I
mean…we are."
Yeoji tilted her head and giggled a bit. "Yes." The holding her hand
out, "Shall we?"
Nodding, Mahaado took her hand. "Wait…" he said gently as he took
Yeoji's mask from her hands. "You need this." Then gently, he put the
mask over her head and tied it. "There."
Then taking her hand again, Mahaado led Yeoji out to the dance floor
where some other couples were still dancing.
"You look exceptionally beautiful tonight miss." Mahaado blurted before
he could stop himself.
Yeoji only looked up at him, her red eyes soft and kind for once Mahaado
had never seen. "You as well sir." She responded.
As they danced, Mahaado could feel something inside him that was not
there before. Not until he saw Yeoji really smile. Soon, they broke away
from the other couples and soon were by themselves in a corner of the
courtyard, unnoticed by anyone.
"Are you always this good at dancing?" Yeoji laughed as she put her hand
on Mahaado's arm.
"No, not always." Mahaado replied, wrapping his arm across Yeoji's back.
"I never can get into the beat. But you seem to be doing quite well."
Yeoji shook her head. "No…I can't either." She admitted. "And, forgive
me for saying this, but it seems like…I know you somehow, even though I
haven't seen your face."
Mahaado grinned. "But I have seen yours." He said quietly. "And I think
it's beautiful. You should smile more often."
Yeoji smiled as Mahaado pulled her close. "What am I doing?" he raced
though his mind. "The one I hate the most and is my enemy…the one who is
in my arms right now…"
As the music slowed, Mahaado and Yeoji stopped to stare at each other.
"You may take your masks off and reveal to each other who your partners
are!" a voice cried.
In their small back corner, Yeoji and Mahaado froze, not knowing who
should make the first move. Then, as gently as he could, Mahaado reached
up and pulled the string to Yeoji's mask. As it fell into his hands,
Mahaado smiled to himself as he gazed upon Yeoji. "My fox is even more
beautiful when she smiles." he offered, lifting her chin up so he stared
into her. "Can I make you do such a thing?"
"Who are you?" Yeoji whispered as Mahaado turned her so she was trapped
in the corner.
"Maybe one day you will know." Mahaado whispered back as he brushed back
a bit of black hair from Yeoji's eyes. "Until then, try to smile more
and I will find you my yellow vixen."
Yeoji said nothing as she closed her eyes. "I promise." She assured.
Sweeping his hand over her eyes, Mahaado gently traced his finger over
them. "Keep your promises." He said before untying his mask. As it fell
away, Mahaado used his other hand to raise Yeoji's face before warily
connecting himself to her in a long kiss.
As cries of happiness and realization of recognizing who was who in the
rest of the crowd, Mahaado realized people would notice them soon.
Mahaado gave one last sweep of his hand in Yeoji's hair and a one last
brush of his lips over hers before turning and putting his mask quickly
over his head, disappearing quickly into the crowd.
Silently, Yeoji slowly opened her eyes to find herself alone facing the
crowd of happy people. Sinking to the floor, Yeoji placed one hand to
her mouth as two tears fell out of her eyes and down her face.
***
Spark and Pharaoh grinned as Karim and Areia stepped into the room that
they were holding their lovingly dubbed "Operation Love" in.
"Karim and Areia, rise." Pharaoh said smiling. "We have no ill news for
you yet. But for now, please stand."
As Karim and Areia stood, they exchanged glances. "Pharaoh," Karim
began. "What have you called us for may I ask?"
Spark nodded. "We have noticed the relationship between out close
friends and relatives." He began smiling. "First off, we would like to
know if you two plan on having a wedding?"
This caused a lot of joy to come from Karim and Areia as they babbled on
about how the had been talking of getting married a few days from then.
As Pharaoh raised a hand to stop them, Karim and Areia fell silent. "And
second of all, (I don't mean to rush this, but Spark and I have other
things to attend to) if you have noticed, Mahaado and Yeoji have been
made for each other. They just need a push if you will."
Karim and Areia agreed.
"Pharaoh," Karim said. "If you can spare the time, I have a plan to get
Mahaado to fall for Yeoji and Areia can help me plan for Yeoji."
Spark nodded. "If we can get this plan into the sky, we shall be the
love gods from now on! The glory shall be ours!"
As everyone laughed, their plans left them long into the night.
***
Yeoji wandered the halls of the palace the next day, constantly stopping
to look out a window when she passed one and sighing to herself.
"Who was he?"
Stopping, Yeoji sighed as she turned her back to the wall and slowly
sank down it. Hugging her knees close to her body, she sighed heavily.
Then softy, a song escaped her.
Dancing in the overflowing wind,
The desert in the palm of my hand is
Where my thoughts are.
The flickering gold
Of the sinking sun
Burns everything
I see.
Don't say anything anymore.
I can't hear.
Well, only the whisper of my once-trembling heart,
Far away...
"Yeoji!" a voice cried suddenly stopping the song.
Picking her head up, Yeoji gasped to see Areia and to her horror,
Mahaado staring down at her. Quickly picking herself up, Yeoji stared at
Areia trying not to show her embarrassment. "Yes Areia what is it?" she
quickly asked.
Areia only smiled and closed her eyes. "Having another trance are we?"
she asked. "You were on 'Far away' when we arrived."
"It's not my fault I do this." Yeoji protested. "I just fall into
music…" Trailing off, Yeoji eyed Mahaado, who tried to glare in spite of
the event he knew about last night.
Areia shook her head. "No, no I know. But I have come to tell you
something important."
This time, looking full at Mahaado with a solid glare, Yeoji swiftly
said, "If it's important what is he doing here?"
Mahaado grinned broadly back at Yeoji. "Begging your pardon Lady Yeoji."
He said. "I was only taking the pleasure to see you."
"Only the same pleasure you would have from a spear that's for sure."
Yeoji snapped.
Grinning still, Mahaado only bowed to Areia and then before Yeoji could
stop him, swiftly grabbed Yeoji's hand and pecked it teasingly. "I bid
you farewell and pardon." He said before he turned and left. Ginning
from ear to ear.
"YOU ARROGANT POMPUS…!" Yeoji yelled after him, being held back only by
Areia.
"Cousin!" Areia cried holding back Yeoji as she slowly calmed down. "I
wanted to tell you my news!"
Yeoji went limp and glared after Mahaado as she grumbled, "What was it
again?"
Areia smiled as Yeoji turned to look at her. "Karim and I are exchanging
wedding vows." She said blushing red.
Instantly, Yeoji spun around to look at Areia. "What?" she asked
happily. "Is this true? And Pharaoh and my brother have agreed?"
Areia nodded.
"Areia!" Yeoji smiled as she gripped Areia in a tight hug. "Oh gods I am
so happy for you! May you and Karim be blessed by Ra!"
Returning the hug, Areia nodded. "Please come to the ceremony Yeoji! And
do please be polite!"
Yeoji laughed. "Areia, for you, I would walk across the sky itself.
Being on my behavior during your wedding ceremony will be an easy task
for me. When is it by the way?"
"Two weeks from tonight."
Gasping and her smile fading, Yeoji stared at Areia. "Two weeks?" she
exclaimed. "That's barely enough time to get to know someone!"
But Areia shook her head. "No." she said. "I have known Karim before. I
know somewhere in my heart that he is a good man and we are made for
each other. But…" Looking away, Areia hung her head. "I am worried that
I cannot please him. And Boro has also been acting strange lately.
Haven't you noticed? He is always looking over your shoulder and
following you under his eyelids. I am afraid Yeoji. Afraid that he will
try something soon."
But Yeoji shook her head. "No matter about Boro. If he has something
planned I can handle it. What matters now that we get ready for your
wedding and ceremony. Have you told Spark and Pharaoh?"
Areia nodded. "They know."
"Good!" Yeoji smiled. "Then we are ahead of us already."
As they began to walk away, someone blocked their path.
"Boro!" Areia exclaimed just before she ran into him. "Excuse me for my
clumsiness."
Boro nodded, acknowledging the pardon. But then quickly turning to
Yeoji, Boro said calmly, "Yeoji, I have been looking for you. There is
something I want you to come investigate."
Quickly, Areia grabbed Yeoji's arm. "I'll come with you." She said
quickly. But Boro shook his head.
"I have to see Yeoji alone."
At this, a silence swept over the trio. "It's alright Areia." Yeoji
finally said breaking the silence. "I'll be fine on my own. I promise to
be right back." Then releasing Areia's grip on her arm, Yeoji turned to
Boro. "Let's make this quick." She said. "I have to help plan for
Areia's wedding."
Boro nodded. "Of course." Then gesturing, he held out his hand. "This
way. It's in the upstairs chamber."
Areia watched worried as Yeoji nodded and began to walk, ignoring Boro's
hand. Noticing a small but sure gleam of triumph in Boro's eye, Areia
quickly sensed something was wrong. As Boro and Yeoji walked out of the
hall, Areia quickly turned and flew down the other way.
