Nadina paced back and forth in her room, flustered and worried.
What should I do? What should I do? She fidgeted. Her bursting into the cell so sudden, along with her tears and pleads, was just too unexpected for her brother and the others. Soon, Nadina knows her brother is going to call her over to his study and hear her explanation.
"Seto Kaiba is to stay bonded and not to be touched, fed, or taken care of unless I gave the order." Marik's order rang in her head.
"But he'll starve." She said out loud, before the meanings of the words dawn on to her. "Marik's plan…" She said slowly. "…was to starve him until he gives in?" Her heart skipped a beat. All of these were so new for her. A new character in her brother, her out of control and doing things that the her before would have never dared to do.
"Miss Nadina?" Clark opened the door to her room and she swirled around, sucking in her breath. "Master Marik would like to see you in his study."
"I'll be right there." She managed to choke out in spite of the tightness of her throat.
"Master will be waiting." Edward's head appeared behind his twin's. Clark pushed him back.
"He is waiting now, Little Lady." He arched an eyebrow.
"I'm coming," Nadina said, her voice barely a whisper, twisting the handkerchief in her hands so tightly that a tiny rip was heard.
She followed the Black twins to her brother's study, where Marik was staring out the window. Her heartbeat accelerated as she got closer to the room. He turned around when he heard her enter. She jumped when she heard Clark shut the door behind her and longed to be outside with them instead of in here with her brother.
"Sit," he said curtly, pulling out a chair for her. He sat down across from her. Either of them said or did anything for a minute, then Marik asked abruptly. "How much have you seen or heard?"
"I-I was only there when you guys were going to lock him up." she stammered, not meeting his eyes, fearing that he'll see the lie in her eyes. "I didn't hear anything, I just saw his bloody lips."
Marik nodded, apparently satisfied that she doesn't know anything.
"How did you find me?"
"I followed Curt, but got lost on the way." Marik's sharp eyes pierce into her.
"Have you seen anything else besides Kaiba's cell?" His voice was harsh though he tried to control it.
"N-no!" She stuttered, realizing her glitch. "I don't know how to get back to Kaiba's cell if my life was depended on it." Composing herself, she tried to sound as convincing as possible. "I got lost, remember?"
Marik studied her silently. His sister looked pale from fright from this morning. She wouldn't have the strength to lie to him, he concluded. There is no need for her to lie to him anyway.
Or…is there?
He banished that thought as soon as it came to his mind. He stood up asking his sister one last question.
"Will you promise me never to go down there again?"
"Yes." She nodded her head furiously as she crossed her fingers behind her. She know it was childish and a lie is a lie, crossed fingers or not, but somehow, it made her feel better.
She almost jumped out of her skin when Marik asked abruptly, "Don't you have any questions to why I have that man imprisoned?"
Recovering from her nervousness, Nadina forced a sweet smile on her face and answered in her most charming and winning tone, "No, brother, I trust you. I have faith in everything you do." At a sudden impulse, she added, "I know it's not my place to inquire such a thing. You taught me that woman should never question a man's doings."
It worked, to her huge relief, as Marik nodded approvingly. He waved his hand, dismissing her.
After closing the study door securely behind her, Nadina sagged against the dark double wood and let out a long, heavy sigh of relief.
Sorry, Marik, she apologized in her head as she headed for her room. But now that I know what you're up to, I can't let you do it. It's wrong. Now by allowing you to be harming Kaiba, I would have been sided with you against him. I can't let you or myself be responsible for something that dishonest and ignoble. And since I can't stop you head to head, I'll just have to stop you some other way. I can't let you have Kaiba's cards so unhonorably and Seto Kaiba's not going to perish in your hands, I'll see to that.
Easier said than done.
After observing the present scene, Nadina learned that there are no guards placed in front of Kaiba's cell, which was to her advantage. And as she was walking past Odion's room, she overheard that there are no cameras set up either. But, unfortunately, the cell is locked and from what she found out next, there are only two pair of keys. One was in the possession of Odion and the other was in the safekeeping of the head of the security—Clark.
It was a known fact that it would be easier to swim across the Atlantic Ocean than to steal the keys from Odion, who was so alert and sharp that it was almost impossible for humans.
That leaves Clark.
Nadina never brought up the subject of Kaiba to her brother again, and he seems to take it that she's forgotten. She brought her hands up to her ears and brushed against her earrings. The French bells, she thought sadly. Oh Marik, why can't you still be the Marik that brought these earrings back for me? Why did you have to change?
A tear dropped onto the piano keys where she was trying to focus on the Fantasy Impromptu. Slamming the music shut, she attacked the piano with all the pain she's got as she finally melted into the Sonata quasi una fantasia—the Moonlight Sonata—composed by Beethoven.
Nadina struck the keys, pulling the melody out of her mind and fingers and pouting it into the grand piano. Instantly the music filled the room, swept the air with its haunting notes. Soon, she forgot everything except the magic of Beethoven's wonderful melody. This piece had always had the affect on her, allowing her to forget her remorse for the moment. Its haunting beauty of pain and sorrow suited her well. She played it start to finish, and when the final notes almost into silence, she heard Clark and Edward's low conversation as they passed the music hall. She continued playing, but paid heavy attentive to the conversation, for the subject of the talk had caught her attention.
"The Master said no one is to go down there unless he gives the order." Edward looked at his watch and pulled out his cell phone.
"Which won't be a while." Clark filled in. "Master doesn't like to waste time. His plan is to visit Kaiba probably at the end of two weeks or so, when he's sure Kaiba would give in easily then."
"Wouldn't he—" Edward started, looking a bit anxious.
"Nah—Kaiba's a tough cookie, he'll live." His brother was quick to reassure him. It had always warmed Nadina's heart that the brothers were so close to each other and so devoted to the Ishtar family. But now…
She sighed.
"No food, no water, no human contact, no anything," Edward pondered as their voices grew farther and farther. "Yeah, that ought to do the trick."
"The Master is a smart one alright…"
Smart, cruel, and ruthless. Nadina couldn't get those words out of her head. Smart, cruel, and ruthless. Those words haunted and taunted her until dinnertime.
Silverware gleamed, gold rimmed china shone, and delicate wine goblets reflected sparkles of light from genuine crystal chandelier that hung above them and from the candles set on tables.
Marik watched as his sister appeared at the dining room door, her face pale and her earrings tinkered, showing that she's trembling. He raised an eyebrow at Odion, who shook his head. They both watched as Nadina, dressed in a water blue silk that brought out the depth of her eyes, tried to cross the room with observable shaking legs. But halfway there, her knees gave away and she went plunging forward. The frown disappeared on Marik's dark features as he flew up and caught her.
"For Ra's sake, Nadina," he scolded. "What happened to you?" He was shocked at the weakness in his sister's body as he helped her to her chair. "You were alright this morning!"
The smile Nadina gave him was weak. "I must have caught something." She was careful not to meet his eyes. She laid her hand over her brother's. "Don't worry about me, Marik."
"How can I not worry?" He raised his voice as he stared into her frighteningly pale face. "You're as white as chalk."
"I'm fine." She insisted. Which was true. She was perfectly fine. But her morals and confidence were deeply shaken. She had just stole the cell key from Clark's pocket, almost right under his nose. She still hadn't recovered from the terror of being caught. Going against her brother's wishes seemed foreign to Nadina. She'd never even lied to him, not mentioning ever going behind his back in a serious way. She felt as if the guilt of her betrayal were written all over her face.
"How could you have caught something?" Marik pressed as he pulled out a chair for her and lowering her into it.
"I…um…it must have been the window. My window must have been open last night." She lied, focusing on her silverware.
"Who was in charge of closing windows last night?!" Her head snapped up as she heard Marik's bellow echoed through the mansion. She jumped up and pulled him down.
"Marik! It wasn't anybody's fault besides my own." She sighed. "If it makes you feel better, I'll have dinner delivered up to my room and I'll go to bed early." Marik nodded, though Nadina could still hear him muttering to himself,
"…hired servants and they can't even do a simple task…Yes, that would make me feel better. Tell the cook to make you a cup of her herbal tea, no wine for you tonight. That will only give you a headache. Curt!" Curt scurried into the room, his face thinly masking his fright.
"Yes, Master?"
"Make sure a fire is made in Nadina's room. I don't want her suffering from cold again tonight." Nadina cringed as Curt hurried away. If anything, she was sure that her face was blazing red from heat.
If this is what I'm going to look and feel like for the next few weeks, she silently brooded. I wonder how I'm going to hide it from Marik.
But if I don't do it…I'll never be able to look in the mirror again if I just leave Kaiba. She set her jaws. If I don't give it my best, then I'm not worth being called an Ishtar.
Seto Kaiba sat with his back against the cold stones of the wall, wondering if it's going to end this way.
He had already explored his tiny cell with his fingers, but had found no way of escaping especially with his eyes still blindfolded. Though he had understood his surrounding and environment, it wasn't must use if he can't see.
How dishonorable, he mused, to die so helpless and vulnerable under the sickeningly cruel hands of Marik. I wonder how much pain I'm going to have to suffer and go through before I starve to death. Knowing Marik, he meant what he said. Especially after what I did to his sister.
This is crazy, Kaiba was suddenly enraged. I never even knew Marik has a younger sister. And she's present while he was dirtying his hands pounding on me. Or maybe…that wasn't his sister. Maybe she's his girlfriend.
He continued his thoughts. Thoughts he would never have had time for when he wasn't in this pathetic situation. He wondered from what the girl looked like to figuring out how dirty his trenchcoat is and finally to Mokuba.
Mokuba, he silently apologized. I'm so sorry I always lead you to some sort of situation. I'm sorry I can never give you a safe and normal life. His last thought, before his mind faded into the dark, safe realm of sleep was, If I could change my name and myself from Seto Kaiba to keep you safe, I would.
Nadina carefully loaded the dishes onto the golden lined tray. She sat back and observed the heavily loaded tray, carefully planned and equipped, not missing the cloth napkin along with the pitcher of wine and goblet.
She had filled herself up in her room with the basket of bread and the salad drizzled with hot bacon dressing that Martha had brought up, but had left the main dish for Kaiba. The main course was chicken smothered in some creamy sauce. Looking at it, Nadina knew there was no way that she could force it down her throat. The more she thought about what she's doing, the more sickening she got. She's going against her brother to aid with his enemy!
But over and over she forced the idea out of her head, refusing to think about what Marik would do and how he would feel if he somehow finds out what she's doing. Instead, she focused on the sumptuous second course of crabmeat and oysters summered in a rich sauce of port and cream. The veal slices served with chopped chives, olives, and bacon, was as tempting as the course before it.
Her brother was used to drown in richness and luxury. Surely, Seto Kaiba wouldn't think of these dishes too indelicate. He must be used to extravagance as well as her brother is from the look of them both.
Finally, after peeking out her room and hearing her brother and the others' voice fading into the first floor library, she lit a candlestick and lifted the heavy tray with a grunt as she headed for the prisoner's cell, praying that she wouldn't get lost on the way.
Kaiba was dreaming. He dreamed that he was staring into darkness. It was all dark. Dark and cold. Then, out of nowhere, he saw a faltering light and the faint sound of tinkering bells.
…what is this…? He wondered to himself, half-conscious, as he sniffed the air about him. …smells like flowers… There was something about this fragrance that was familiar…something memorable, something sweet… But as that thought ran through his head, he was jolted awake. He wasn't dreaming.
There was somebody coming.
His muscles tensed as his back stiffened. The hair bristled on his neck unconsciously. His senses were alert and wary. But he was confused when he heard a soft grunt and several soft footsteps. The sound of delicate bells drew close as the fragrance of flowers floated around him.
The muscle on his legs were strained, ready to spring when he heard the key inserting into the lock of his cell. He heard the scraping of the door being opened and was just ready to assault the unaware visitor when he heard a soft voice. He strained to hear clearer.
"Mr. Kaiba?" He jerked from the voice. A girl, he told himself meanwhile, his brain replied with a different answer—not just a girl, the girl.
"Mr. Kaiba?" The faint beam of light was apparently looking for him.
"I'm over here." He called out hoarsely. He saw the light drawing closer and he demanded, "Who are you and what do you want? Did Marik sent you?" He spit that name out as if it had a bad taste, which it was, to him.
"Oh no," the voice was young, he observed. "If my brother knew I was here…" The voice trailed off.
"Then why are you here?" Kaiba snapped. The last thing he needed was a little girl sneaking down to look at him because of curiosity.
A cold cloth pressed against the cut on his lips as he gave a gasp of pain and jerked back.
"You're bleeding." The feminine voice had a lilting tone to it, like warm sweet honey. Kaiba found himself noticing qualities to a voice that he had never noticed with his sight. This voice was refined and classy.
The cloth came back and Kaiba's muscles relaxed involuntary under the gentle touch as Nadina dabbed away the blood. Fortunately, they were only light scratches and cuts, no chance of getting infected without bandages.
"Who are you?" Kaiba's tone had yet lost its harshness.
"I'm Nadina." Kaiba gave a low growl.
"That doesn't answer or tell me anything about you…who are you?"
Nadina gave a small laugh. Kaiba's features were comical, filled with annoyance and helplessness from not being able to see. "I'm Marik's sister."
"Oh," Kaiba was at a lost of words. Sure, his first thought was that Nadina was Marik's sister, but even then that had been too hard to believe. Marik—the blood sucker, the cruel killer, the downfall of so many man, the cause of so many death…
"Are you hungry?" Nadina's voice cut into his thoughts.
"Maybe." Kaiba said curtly. "How can I trust you? How do I know you're not poisoning me or whatever?"
There was a silence.
"Look," the voice that snapped back was firm and very different from the luscious voice. "It's either the 'poison' food, or starve. I really don't care which one you choose."
Kaiba didn't know what to say as Nadina continued viciously,
"It would probably be better for me if you refuse. Do you know what I went through to get here with the food? I got lost in the middle of the tunnels and dropped my candle. I burned myself when I tried to light it a second time and I don't even know what Marik would do if he founds out what I'm doing. He'll whip me for sure."
"Then why are you down here?" The young CEO finally asked. Nadina lowered her head and answered softly,
"I don't agree with what my brother is doing. But I never knew what his occupation was until yesterday morning."
"Huh," was all Kaiba said. Nadina wisely said nothing, but poured a glass of wine and pressed the cool glass against his lips.
"Here, I can tell you're thirsty. You're voice is cracking." She tilted the glass and Kaiba took several sips agreeably.
"Good wine," he commented.
"Best wine, imported from France." She said brightly, taking a liking to the older boy. Under the gruff and dark mask, Nadina saw something worth her time. "Only the best for Marik."
"Humph."
She began slicing the chicken by the dim light of the candle. "Here, it's chicken with some sort of cream sauce." She told him before lifting the fork to his mouth.
"Why don't you just untie me?!" Kaiba finally asked angrily, feeling embarrassed and irritated.
"Marik is my brother." He had to strain to hear. But he understood. Though Nadina is helping him while risking herself, Marik was still her brother. She wasn't willing to go against him all the way.
"Right," he smirked sarcastically. "Besides, you don't know me. You don't know what I could and would do if you released me."
"I'm not afraid…of you." She replied quietly. He didn't say anything else as she fed him forkful by forkful, spoonful by spoonful, sip by sip. Nadina patiently endured Kaiba's cold complaints.
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, she thought sourly.
After all the food was gone, which she was surprised at how much he could eat, she reached for his hands behind him.
"What in seven hells are you doing?" Kaiba yanked away his hands crossly. He knew his attitude toward the one who's risking herself to save him was unaccountable but couldn't control his anger by not being able to see.
"Your hands will be numb from the lack of blood circulation." He heard her say with a bit of impatience in her voice. "I need to get back soon or my brother will be wondering where I am."
She took his hands and began rubbing it, only to find them ice cold. Then noticing for the first time, the cell was freezing without the torches and it will only get colder during the night. Without saying anything, she took off her thick velvet cloak and placed it on Kaiba's front, up to his chin.
"What are you doing?" He tried to shake it away, but Nadina stopped him.
"Why didn't you tell me you were cold?" She said crossly at him being so difficult.
"I'm not." The willowy brunette replied stubbornly.
"You are too," she argued. "Your lips are almost blue. You're so difficult. I'm trying to help you here, but how can I fully help you if you can't help yourself?" she moved her candle closer to Kaiba's numb fingers, hoping to warm them up a bit.
Kaiba was silent and Nadina thought he would explode and yell at her for being so fussy. Little did she know that no one had ever dared spoken to Kaiba this way before and he was highly impressed speechless.
"How old are you?" He only asked, amused. Nadina could swear she saw a trace of a smile playing on his lips.
"Fourteen…" She replied suspiciously. "Why?"
"You're quite sassy for a fourteen-year-old." He smirked. "And I must add, quite intelligent also."
"Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment." She replied shortly, though she was pleased.
"What is that stuff you're wearing?" His abrupt question caught her off guard. She looked down at her dress, now muddied from kneeling on the ground, and the soft slippers.
"What?"
"The fragrance. It is perfume?"
"Oh, yes." Nadina regained her composure. "This is from the essence of a flower called the Bluebell. Marik bought it for me in London."
"It smells…nice." Kaiba added hastily.
"Thank you, Mr. Kaiba."
"Just Kaiba is fine. I'm not that old. Only my worthless workers at KaibaCorp calls me Mr. Kaiba." He was suddenly aware of her slender frame next to his, leaning on his right shoulders. She was rubbing his hands ferociously, but he could feel her shaking from the cold drafts of the underground tunnel.
"Put your cloak back on." He ordered with a voice so commanding and so sudden that Nadina jumped at the severity of the voice.
"But—"
"Put your cloak back on." His voice was gentler, but Nadina could hear the firm 'don't-mess-with-me-and-obey-me' tone underneath it. She complied, because she knew better than to refuse the tone of the voice, even though Kaiba was still bonded.
"You better be getting back, or your brother will wonder where you are." His voice was gruff and Nadina could almost detect a wistful, longing manner in it.
"Maybe I should leave my cloak down here," he heard the younger girl say in a small voice and almost smiled. He liked her. She was sweet, intelligent, refined and cultivated, and she respected him even though he couldn't have done anything to her if she didn't. Most of all, she cared about his well being and she doesn't even know him. The protective instinct he used on his little brother was now used on her.
"Don't worry about me, I still have my trenchcoat. That'll last me through the night." He commanded. "Make sure no one sees you going back. What time is it?"
"I don't have a watch." She said regretfully.
"I have one, look on my wrist." He heard her drop beside him again. Her fingers were soft and gentle as they brushed up his sleeves.
"It's 11 o'clock." Kaiba could hear the slight panic in her voice. She obviously didn't know how long she'd been down here.
"You should be in bed, then." He was silent for a moment, then finally said quietly, "Leave now, and don't come back anymore."
"What?" She was startled.
"You heard what I said," he began again, irked. "Don't come back here again."
"But—" She began to protest.
"I don't want to get you in trouble. I can make it on my own."
"You know you can't." The wrath of Nadina dawn down upon him. "So you'll starve to death? Or will you give in? Marik will probably kill you right after you give in." She hated what she had to say. "And what about your little brother? What will become of him?"
"Why is that any of your concern? You don't know me." Kaiba raised his voice, not accustomed to being yelled at. "You're just a little kid, what do you know? Go to bed, it's past your bedtime."
"I'm not a little kid," Nadina replied stiffly. "And I know more than you think!"
"Don't yell at me."
"I'm not yelling!"
"You could do something for me, though." It was hard for a favor to come out of Kaiba's mouth. He doesn't need anybody. "You could locate my brother and make sure he's safe."
"What makes you think I'd do anything for you after what you've just said?" He smirked. He knew that would be her comeback and he was ready for it.
"Because I know you aren't like your brother." He could hear her suck her breath in as he waited for her answer.
"You're rude and difficult, Seto Kaiba." He heard her explode before storming out of the cell with her tray. "And I don't care if I don't ever see you again!"
Kaiba settled back and smiled. She wouldn't refuse, he knew. He didn't miss the courage she had while helping him.
But what he did miss was the crystal droplets of tears that Nadina was desperately trying to wipe away from her eyes as she ran to her room.
