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! -_-;


***
Dashing down endless halls, Areia quickly made her way past many people in an attempt to look for someone that could help her. Servants were of no use, they would only be ordered to leave and not come back. Other members of the court were the same way. She would go herself, but Boro would only brush her aside as well. "I have to find someone who can stand up to Boro…" she whispered to herself. "Karim, where are you…?" But before she could finish her thought, she suddenly ran into someone from behind.
"Mahaado!" she gasped as Mahaado rubbed his back from the impact. Then realizing he could help, Areia grabbed his arm before he could say anything, dragging him off with her. "I need your help!" she cried.

Mahaado had no idea what hit him. First he was smacked from behind and then he was being dragged by his arm to some other place by his best friend's fiancée. "Areia! Wait what's going on?" he gasped. "Stop!" Pulling Areia to a halt, Mahaado looked into her worried face. "What's going on?" he asked, seeing the urgency on her. "Where's Yeoji?" Areia slightly jumped up and down, her head twisting from side to side in a hurry. "Please, please Mahaado," she begged. "You have to find Boro and Yeoji and stop them!" Thoroughly confused, Mahaado stared down at Areia as she sank to her knees. "What? Yeoji and Boro?" Grabbing Areia by the arms tightly but gently, Mahaado stared deep into Areia's eyes. "Areia. What is going on? What has happened to Yeoji?" Mahaado asked slowly and calmly
"Tell me now."
***
Boro gently closed the door behind him as he led Yeoji into a darkened
room. The only thing one could see was a small bed in the middle of the
room and a small candle lighting the rather large room.
Yeoji stared at the room around her. "So what in here to cause
trouble?" she asked as the room darkened even more from the door
closing. "I don't see or sense anything."
But Boro had walked up behind Yeoji and put a hand on her shoulder.
"That's not what I brought you here for Yeoji." He said as he slowly
walked in front of her. "Yeoji…beautiful as the flowers of the Nile yet
as cold as the waters." Tracing his finger along her face, Boro
smiled. "A sunset of the coldest night."
Yeoji made no motion to his touch. "You were not at the festival last
night." She said finally. "So you are not him." Then brushing past
Boro, Yeoji made for the door.
"Yeoji! Wait!" Boro called behind her, but Yeoji had already gripped
the handle and tugged.
It was locked.
"Boro?" Yeoji asked as she felt him come up behind her. "Unlock the
door."
However, feeling only a powerful arm go around her waist, Yeoji tried
again, pushing down her fears. "Unlock the door Boro." She commanded
again more firmly.
But Boro only leaned his head on her shoulder. "I can't." he admitted.
"The lock in on the outside. And the key is on the other side of the
door."
Shivers ran up and down Yeoji's spine as she realized what Boro was
trying to get across. "Let me go Boro." She warned. "Let go of me
now."
But at that moment, the door unlocked and there stood Mahaado, a look of
shock and "Could it be hurt?" Yeoji wondered quickly as it turned to a
scowl on his face. "Yeoji, you are called to the King Spark's side." He
lied. "Now."
Quickly, Yeoji broke away and ran down the halls away from Boro as he
stood in the doorway, his arms twitching with anger and frustration.
"You…you did that deliberately didn't you?" he sneered. "Spark didn't
really call her."
But Mahaado said nothing as he glared at Boro. "Don't bother her
again." He warned coldly before leaving.
Boro only scowled after him.
***
Mahaado quickly walked down the path Yeoji had taken last. However, as
soon as he turned the corner, no one was there. "Yeoji…" he whispered
sadly as he turned to leave.
But just before he took two steps, a soft sniffling noise came to his
ears. Turning and looking harder, Mahaado noticed for the first time, a
small white cloth sticking out form a dark corner of the hall.
Following his ears, Mahaado quickly saw Yeoji, gripping her arms and
quivering, her staff leaning on her shoulder, her hair over her eyes,
which were downcast, and full with tears.
Mahaado stared for a few seconds, feeling his heart sag a bit. Then
turning without another thought; left.
***
"Master! What have you done?" Barachan cried as he groveled at his
master's feet. "One mistake could ruin this whole plan! Please, do not
be so rash next time!"
But Boro only scoffed and turned away. "There's no need to worry
Barachan." He said calmly. "Yeoji is too proud to tell anyone what
happened. Only Mahaado may have a clue to what happened. But even then
I doubt he knows everything. Even if he is a priest to Pharaoh."
Turning to Barachan, Boro glared. "Have you found a girl yet?" he asked
angrily. "I have to get this plan underway."
Barachan nodded. "The wedding will be in two days and all is set. I
await your command."
Silent, Boro walked out to a window and stared into the night sky. "All
is set; the pawn and the players. And so we begin…" Evil laughter
shortly followed.
***
"May a camel spit on you!" Yeoji yelled as Mahaado stormed away in
another direction.
Yeoji growled angrily as she stomped out into the courtyard after
another fight with Mahaado. "Of the stupid and arrogant people…" she
snarled as she walked to a fountain. Sitting on the rim, she sighed as
she watched the water fall into the pool below. Her reflection shone.
Her hood covering her head only revealing her red eyes and her mark on
her face deep black as she sighed heavily.
You smile,
And become a dazzling shadow
Beyond these arms of mine.
Hotter than the scorched sands,
Tears flow
From my heart.
However, behind her, Areia and Karim had been alone together behind some
trees. Hearing Yeoji stomp out like a wild animal had broken their
privacy as they realized this was an opportunity to put their plan with
Pharaoh and Spark into action.
"I believe we have a fox wandering around us love." Karim grinned as he
stared at Yeoji. "It's the perfect time to set our trap."
Areia nodded. Then in a loud voice, she called, "Are you sure Karim?
Mahaado loves Yeoji so entirely?"
Yeoji stopped suddenly.
"I never would have believed it myself if I hadn't heard from Mahaado
himself." Karim said also loudly. "But he and I were discussing matters
of state and then he suddenly admitted to me that loved her. Who would
have thought?"
Snapping her head up, Yeoji quickly looked around. Then with a sudden
dash, sped off and hid herself behind the fountain, listening closely.
Areia giggled as she continued. "Gods save us! Wouldn't you agree that
Priest Mahaado would deserve such a figure such as my cousin? Has he
told her?"
"No." Karim responded. "He is so afraid she will take it the wrong
way! They have shouted and fought so many times, he fears love is
beyond their reach. I fear it will take a miracle before he can get the
courage to tell her."
Areia nodded. "He is a wonderful person!" she continued as she and
Karim vainly tried to hold down laughter. "I don't understand why she
just can't open her heart to such a man! Having such pride and sharp
tongue, I cannot believe he will ever get the chance. My pity to him!"
As they walked away, feeling their job done, Areia and Karim peeled over
in laughter.
"We've done it!" Karim laughed. "All that's left now is Mahaado and we
shall see love by tomorrow!"
"Yes, yes!" Areia laughed as Karim took her hand. "Just like our
wedding tomorrow. Let us hope Pharaoh and Spark can hold their end!"
After Karim and Areia were gone, Yeoji blinked. "Mahaado…" she
wondered. "Can this be true? Karim said so himself and he is one of
the closest people to Mahaado. If it is true, then...?"
Silently, she got up and left the courtyard wondering.
***
"May a camel spit on you!" came Yeoji's insult as Mahaado stormed away.
Angrily, he turned again to find himself outside in the front of the
castle where great pillars with painted birds shone.
"Of all the things to say…and she still doesn't realize it was I on that
night!" Mahaado growled. But as the memory of the dance and time he
shared with Yeoji came to him, he put a hand to his mouth and smiled.
"But I remember."
From the far right, Pharaoh and Spark just walked around the corner
chatting. "Pharaoh, look! It's Mahaado!" as Spark caught sight of him.

Pharaoh stared at Mahaado. "Yes." He smiled as he noticed the hand over
his mouth and the sad look in his eye. "It seems he is also remembering
something important." Then getting an idea, Pharaoh said rather loudly,
"Spark, Come now! Tell me what was it that you told me about your
sister? That she was in love with my Priest Mahaado?"
At his name, instantly, Mahaado dashed behind the closest pillar and put
his back to it. "What…?"
Spark, getting the clue said loudly, "I never thought that my sister
would have loved any man. She is too proud and stubborn. However, it
has seemed that my sister has been caught by the love god, and can't
stop talking of Priest Mahaado."
"Maybe it is false?" Pharaoh suggested.
Spark shook his head. "No, it is real. She often asks me whether she
should write her feelings for him, but then she just tears up the note
in frustration for she cannot find the right words. They have hated and
bickered for so long."
Pharaoh sighed. "It is better if she tell him perhaps?" he suggested.
"But then again, Mahaado would only make fun of her even more and she
would never hear the end of it. And a waste too. She is wise and
virtuous. She is like a flower, dancing on the wind."
Spark laughed. "Would you Pharaoh take her if she asked?"
Pharaoh laughed with him and held up his hands defensively. "My honor
friend, I would love a girl such as your sister, but I'm afraid she is
already taken by my priest. Do forgive me. Besides, I hope Mahaado
will closely examine himself and realize that he is indeed unworthy for
such a girl."
Spark grinned and nodded. "Of course. But come now, dinner is ready
and a wedding is tomorrow. Pharaoh my friend, will you join us?"
As Spark and Pharaoh walked away, Mahaado quietly came from behind the
pillar he was hiding from. "It…it can't be a trick." He said to
himself. "Spark said so himself and he is Yeoji's very brother. Maybe
it is time for the silver fox to come out again. But not tonight but
rather after the wedding. That way Yeoji can enjoy her cousin's
company."
Turning to leave, Mahaado smiled. "I am unworthy aren't I?"
***
Boro smiled as he watched night fall. Now was the time. Quickly, he
walked though the halls, looking for Pharaoh and Karim. Finally, he
spotted them talked and preparing for the next day.
"Karim, my friend and priest." Pharaoh said with pride putting a hand on
his shoulder. "I want to give you my greatest blessing in hope for a
new life together. I pray you will be happy."
Karim bowed and smiled. "Thank you Pharaoh." He said. "But I hope to
continue your service even after I have been wed."
Pharaoh smiled. "Of course." He said. "I would not ask for anything
better."
But Boro had taken his move and walked up to him. "Pharaoh…Priest
Karim…" he said bowing. "I came to tell you…although it may seem…well
that's not the point. That your lady is disloyal."
Instantly, Pharaoh and Karim stared. "Who?" Karim asked. "Areia?"
Boro nodded. "Yes her. I have seen her more than once meet a man in
secret. I would have come forward earlier, but I was afraid that she
would tell her other man and he would inflict harm upon someone."
Pharaoh scoffed and narrowed his eyes. "Disloyal? Areia? I do not
trust your word."
Boro nodded again, more urgently. "I did not believe it either when I
saw it, but I beg of you Pharaoh and Priest Karim. Come with me tonight
and you will see for yourself that Areia is indeed disloyal. Come."
Walking away, Pharaoh and Karim stared after him. "Do you think it is
true Pharaoh?" Karim asked him. "Can it be that my Areia is with
another in secret?"
Pharaoh narrowed his eyes. "I don't know…but I think we should look
into this. If it is indeed true that you are being deceived, we shall
make note of it to Spark."
Karim shook his head. "I shall make note of it to everyone if it is
true. Please, Ra, say it isn't so!"
Quickly following Boro, they walked out.