Disclaimer: Look, right now I don't even own my lunch, much less Yu-Gi-Oh. I'm just borrowing the characters to play with. I might even give them back, but I'm really bad at that.......

Chapter 2: Was this supposed to be this easy?

Serenity was pretty sure she'd messed up somewhere... The young prince Malik was far too easy to please. One simple story, and he was fast asleep. She sat back, rubbing her forehead and sighing. I'm not sure how I like this new arrangement...

All that dung that the Sultan had spouted about her getting a room... Right, a room in the dungeons, probably... That's all you can expect from these Kingly types... The selfish idiots...

One of the guards carefully poked his head in the room, cracked a smile at the sight of the sleeping boy, and beckoned to her a bit. She sighed, then gracefully and silently stood and with a quick glance at Malik, walked over to the guard. He nodded a bit and drew her out into the hall. "Your room is right there, m'lady." He nodded a bit at the room across the hall.

Serenity's jaw almost dropped. So she was getting a real room! A- an actual room with a door, and a bed, and everything...

This was too much like a dream come true.

Oh, yeah. Except for the whole "You're going to be executed soon" thing.

She moved into the room and almost gaped, while her mind obliged itself and started making girly squealing noises in her head. I have a balcony! Eee! She hastily composed herself. It is a lovely room. I must enjoy it while I have the time.

She moved out into the hall and headed for one of the baths she'd seen earlier. She kept her eyes firmly on the ground, to avoid making eye contact with anyone important. The only problem was that it didn't stop her from running into things.

Namely, one very solid, muscular chest.

"Watch where you're going!" A hand clamped around her upper arm, catching her as she started to fall backwards and chastising her in the same move. She eeped slightly and looked up at him. "What are you doing out and about?"

She licked her lips a bit, staring up into the tawny green-gold eyes of the Sultan Rishid. Realizing that he could have her eyes burned out for that, she quickly dropped her gaze. "I'm sorry, your Highness..." She quickly bowed. "I meant no disrespect..."

"Of course not." Rishid let her go. "Even you would not be so stupid." He watched, amused, as she bristled with anger, then looked back down, silently fuming. "My brother is asleep?"

Serenity nodded, eyes firmly on the ground. "Yes, your Majesty."

Rishid tipped her chin up. "Where are you off to at this time of night? And where are the guards?"

"I left them guarding the Prince..." Serenity turn her eyes down, but that didn't... really work... at all. They focused now on his chest, instead of his eyes. His bare chest. That was still obviously damp from the bath. ... Oh, my God. "H-he is more important that I am..."

A smile touched the Sultan's lips. "You certainly know how to get to me already." He let her go. "Where are you going."

"To the bath." Serenity almost-whispered. If only I'd gone sooner... could've seen him all... naked. And wet. Bad thoughts! Nonono! Not thinking the bad thoughts! This man is going to kill you in a week or two, and you're fantasizing about tearing his clothes off and doing unspeakable things to him?!? Well... what's left of his clothes... No!

"Ah," Rishid nodded. "I see." He nodded down the hall towards where he came. "You obviously cannot miss them." He allowed his gaze to rake over her. "You need to bathe, anyway. I can't believe Malik tolerated your... grime."

Serenity twitched a bit and took a deep breath. "Of course, your Majesty. Because I could bathe at any time out in the desert." She looked resolutely over his shoulder, towards the bath. I just hope he can't recognize sarcasm. "May I go now, Sire?"

Rishid studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Of course. Good night, girl."

"My name is Serenity!" Serenity snapped, walking around him quickly and heading for the bath.

Rishid actually chuckled. "Of course, Serenity." His voice was a quiet murmur, barely audible. He continued to his own rooms, directly next to his brother's, in case he needed him for any reason. She is... an interesting woman... He smiled faintly. Very interesting...

His smile quickly became a frown as he shut his bedroom doors behind him. I should not be thinking this way. My father thought that every woman in the Kingdom was his plaything... and that gave us Malik... even with three wives, he still managed to have a bastard son... I love my half-brother more than anything... but I will not allow a repeat of my father's actions to occur. I am a stronger man than that...

With a sigh, he had a guard bring him Malik's history teacher. I had better explain why Malik wasn't at his lesson today...

Within moments, the doors opened, and his guards ushered in a tall, thin woman. Her black hair was graying slightly, but she still moved with the grace of a dancer. "You called for my, my lord?"

Rishid nodded. "Kihal... I simply wanted to explain to you that it was none of Malik's fault that he was not at lessons..."

Kihal shook her head. "I thought as much. Nerla was curious as to why he didn't show up at calligraphy..."

Rishid sighed and glanced upwards. "He decided to rescue a thief."

"He did?" Kihal chuckled. "That is good. He already shows compassion..."

"Which is why he will never be Sultan." Rishid sat down slowly. "I refuse to allow such a thing to happen to him, it would destroy his innocence... that compassion..."

Kihal nodded slightly, with a slight bow. "I understand your reasoning, Sire. I believe I have seen this thief... is it a girl?"

Rishid nodded a bit, then waved sharply. "When Malik tires of her, she will be properly punished and cast out of the city. This "storyteller" business is an absolute mockery of the system."

Kihal bowed slightly- the Sultan was in a somewhat dangerous mood, and she knew why. "Of course, your Majesty. I would like to get to know her... I will not get attached, I promise. But she deserves a friend, and help fitting in..."

Rishid nodded a bit, a frown crossing his face. "I suppose I can allow that."

Kihal bowed again. "Sire... I know it is none of my business, but you could always keep her as a dancer, or a start to a harem..." She was choosing her words carefully; the Sultan almost never lost his temper, especially over small things like this, but his mood was currently unpredictable, and this was getting too close to something on the matter of his father.

"No." Rishid snapped. "I will not. I have no need of something like that. I am a true Sultan, one concerned with the welfare of his city, not the pleasures of his own body! I refuse!"

Kihal bowed quickly. "Of course, Sire. I apologize. I overstepped my bounds." She wasn't fool enough to push this issue. Yet. And most definitely not this way. She would have to be subtle. And this girl-thief might help...

Rishid slowly calmed down and took a few deep breaths. He forced his shoulders to relax, and closed his eyes. "No. I apologize. I wrongfully lost my temper with you. You are only trying to help me."

Kihal smiled faintly. "You are much, much less like your father than you know, Great One," her voice was very soft. "I do not believe you could ever be like him... even if you tried..."

Rishid managed to give her a smile. "Thank you, Kihal. Tell Nerla Malik will be to his lessons tomorrow..."

Kihal knew a dismissal when she heard one. She bowed again, then straightened and moved out with a slight smile. Oh, I will talk to Nerla, all right... we must meet this Storyteller...

Rishid sighed and sat down on his bed. I should not have lost my temper with Kihal... she is a good, kind woman, and I should not have snapped at her. She was more of a mother to me than my real mother was...

He shook his head, then rose and moved to his desk. No sleep for me anytime soon. I have too much work to do...

Serenity slipped into her own room, quickly changed for bed and settled in. This is turning out to be an interesting day... In one day she had gone from being a street urchin to a palace servant... from being hungry and cold to full and warm...

From being free to being a slave... From being alive, to being practically walking dead. I'm slated for execution... and everyone knows it. Only the Prince is bold enough to get close to me... No one else wants to, because they know all too soon, I'll be dead...

That thought should have scared her. It didn't. I- I don't know why... but I don't think that the Sultan will go through with it... or, if he doesn't change his mind, Malik will help me in some way.

Smiling, despite her entire situation, she curled up around a silk body pillow and closed her eyes. I just know I'll get through this. God and Fate are on my side... I know it.

A/N: Aaaand chapter 2 is here! Whee! XD I don't know why, but I enjoy this way, way too much. Next chapter- Plots, Plans and Princes! :: runs off giggling::

Leaf Zelindor: Muahahaha! Behold teh goodness of chapter 2! :: cackles::

Daimeryan Rei: Thank you! I agree, there aren't enough Rishid-fics out there. And I like making his life much better. That's why I put Serenity in there for him. . And Malik is a cute little bugger, isn't he? XD

Yami No Marik: I like to be unusual. It scares the normal people. I must fill my quota for terrified strangers this week... except I think I already did during that lunar eclipse we had earlier in the week... :: sweatdrop:: Heheh... yeah...

Paladin Dragoon: I understand... can be stupid sometimes... :: pokes it:: Yesyes, I've never seen anyone else write this pairing... and I can just see it happening too... I need to get some of my real Yu-Gi-Oh Universe fics up, with all the characters... :: sweatdrop:: Yeah... and do a dozen other things... :: sighs:: Aaaand I'm babbling again. :: shrugs:: Next chappie will be up as soon as I can make it...

nicole purple: Mmmm, chicken.. :: drools:: Soooooo good! :: giggles:: Yes, Malik is yours, I understand that... you really think I'm not going to remember that? :; snickers:: Mak! Mak mak! :: snickers again::